Maine to receive an extra $55.2M in federal home energy assistance
Maine will receive an additional $55.2 million in Low Income Home Energy Assistance funds this fiscal year, more than doubling the state’s typical annual funding.
In total, Maine will receive a total of $90.2 million in 2022 from the federal program, the largest amount since it was first established in 1981, said U.S. Sen. Angus King, I-Maine. The funds come from the American Rescue Plan Act and other appropriations.
This will mean more heating assistance for Maine’s families, seniors and vulnerable populations during the coldest months of the year, King said.
“In the midst of a cold Maine winter, there are few things more important to families than being able to keep your house warm, and your loved ones safe. For years, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program has done just that — providing vital heating aid to thousands of vulnerable Maine households in need,” King said.
“Thanks to the American Rescue Plan, the program will double its funding to Maine and help our state get through the winter as we continue to stabilize from the economic impacts of the pandemic. This will help ensure seniors and low-income families don’t have to make tough choices between paying for heating, or putting food on the table."
Dan Brennan, director of MaineHousing, added, “With temperatures the past few weeks dropping to dangerous levels, we are especially grateful for these additional American Rescue Plan funds that will help hundreds of Maine households heat and weatherize their homes."
LIHEAP helps vulnerable households meet their home energy needs, particularly as heating costs are estimated to rise this year. Nationwide, an estimated 5.3 million households received assistance with heating and cooling costs through LIHEAP in 2020.
In 2020, Maine was awarded more than $40 million in annual federal LIHEAP appropriations, which served nearly 33,000 households across the state.
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