WASHINGTON, D.C. – Before the cold winter months arrive, New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D- NY) has asked the Trump administration for an early release of federal funding that helps low-income families heat their homes. The Senator said she wants this money out now because people have been feeling the pain at the pumps, and soon, they’ll feel it with their home heating.
“New Yorkers are already feeling the pain of President Trump’s economy at the grocery store, the gas pump, and the pharmacy,” said the Senator. “Now as the temperatures begin to drop, they’re getting hit again. This time at the thermostat.”
She adds temperatures are already dipping in some parts of New York. “As it gets colder, the inflation price will push home and energy costs even higher.”
According to AAA, gas has gone up by 16 cents just over the last week. Crude oil remains high, averaging 100 dollars a barrel. Experts said global supply chain disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and the war with Iran, and in Ukraine have contributed to the increased costs.
This week the President downplayed concerns over rising fuel and gas costs.
“You have a little higher, you have a higher,” he told a crowd during a rally. “It’s a very inexpensive price to pay for what we’ve done. Remember that it’s a little more. It’s even if it was, frankly, even if it was a lot more, but that’s gonna come tumbling down. That’s gonna be like a rocket ship in reverse.”
Sen. Gillibrand asked the Trump administration to release the LOW-INCOME home energy assistance program, or LIHEAP, early.
“LIHEAP provides federal funding to help low-income New Yorkers afford their energy bills and make cost effective repairs for heating systems,” said the Senator. “We’re asking him to release the funds now because people are so anxious about being able to afford their heating bills because of the cost of everything else. So, if the LIHEAP money flows then they can do the applications and know they can heat their homes. It’s also getting colder particularly in upstate New York so people will be turning their heat on soon if it’s not already on.”
The Health and Human Services Department said they will release LIHEAP block grants to states by November first.
