In September, NEADA sent a letter to the Senate and House Appropriations Committees, Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies reiterating the organization’s support for funding at $4.7 billion and advanced release of funds to give programs the resources they need until the full-year appropriations bill is finalized. These letters follow upon written testimony submitted on April 3, 2015.
The April testimony addressed NEADA’s concerns with provisions in the President’s Budget that would require states to transfer a minimum of 10% of their LIHEAP funds to weatherization with the option of transferring up to 40%, and that would set aside $200 million for a competitive grant program. NEADA opposes both proposals because they would limit state flexibility, reduce LIHEAP assistance funds, and undermine the primary purpose of the program.
Finally, the testimony made a strong argument for the need for LIHEAP, underscoring that the funds go to the most vulnerable families in the country and can be important to helping them keep their heads above water.