Healey Urges Trump To Release Heat Assistance Funding

Governor Maura Healey is calling on President Trump to release funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

“Every year, thousands of low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities struggle to afford to heat their homes during New England’s bitter cold winters,” said Governor Healey. “LIHEAP serves as a crucial lifeline for Massachusetts families and people across the country. It's bad enough that the Trump Administration shut off funding for heating assistance, SNAP, Head Start and other essential safety net programs that people rely on during the shutdown. But now, with the government reopened, they are telling us that it’ll more time to get LIHEAP funding flowing again. This is unacceptable, especially as the holidays approach and temperatures continue to plummet. President Trump needs to immediately release LIHEAP funding and not leave our families out in the cold.”

The Trump administration has announced that the heat assistance funds will not be released until the end of the month.

“As temperatures continue to drop and the cost of utilities continue to rise, our low-income residents – including seniors and working parents – should not be left in the cold due to the Trump Administration’s political games,” said Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell. “I am grateful to Governor Healey for standing up for Massachusetts residents and demanding that the federal government take immediate action to ensure every household can stay warm and safe.”

Healey says very cold weather is expected next week in Massachusetts, and residents are not receiving the federal assistance they are due.

"It is simply unacceptable for the Trump Administration to delay LIHEAP funding, as many Massachusetts residents, and residents across New England, cannot afford to heat their homes without this vital support. If the Trump Administration cares at all about vulnerable residents who are facing freezing temperatures over the next several months, they will ensure that LIHEAP funding is available as soon as possible," said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). "While President Trump continues to play games with the most basic government support systems, the House will remain focused on how we can better serve our residents here in Massachusetts despite a hostile federal government."

Healey says the president needs to get the funding out the door and to do it immediately.

(Photo by KEREM YUCEL/AFP via Getty Images)