On Friday, Sept 19 the President signed HJ RES 124 providing for continuing funding for Labor, HHS and other govt programs through Dec 11. For LIHEAP the bill contains language that will allow the Administration to again release funds up to 90% of last year’s funding level. NEADA will be sending a letter to HHS shortly urging them to release the funds as soon as possible. HHS did a terrific job last year releasing the funds quickly. So I am hopeful that funds again will be released quickly. Based on the experience of the last few years, funds have been released within 30 days of passage of the bill. That would suggest that LIHEAP funds could become available before the end of October.
Mark Wolfe/NEADA