McGorty Votes for Plan to Allocate Federal Funds to Heating Assistance Program
New Legislator Casts First Official Vote as House Member
HARTFORD—State Rep. Ben McGorty today voted for a Department of Social Services (DSS) plan that allocates federal funds for Connecticut low income residents who need heating assistance. The committee vote represents his first official vote as a member of the legislature, having taken office following a July 22nd Special Election in the 122nd District.
The vote took place at the Legislative Office Building following a public hearing arranged by the Human Services, Energy, and Appropriations committees, whose members convened over funding to the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) and the Contingency Heating Assistance Program (CHAP). Both are funded through the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
The federal government will provide Connecticut with an anticipated $79.2 million for 2014-15, and members of the legislative panels voiced concerns of managing a 7 percent federal funding reduction should the state experience a harsh and long winter similar to last year’s.
“This assistance is critical to many residents,” said McGorty. “For many this assistance is the difference between making it through and having to choose between heating fuel and having meals. That’s a choice we don’t want anyone to have to make.”
CEAP helps offset winter heating costs of residents whose annual income falls at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty guidelines—$35,775 or less for a family of four. Eligible applicants include seniors, persons with disabilities, or households with children under the age of six with incomes between 150 and 200 percent of the federal poverty line. More than 100,000 households will benefit from the program.
CHAP is for households with income below 60 percent of the state median income ($62,000) for a family of four. Both programs are managed by DSS and coordinated through regional community action agencies as well as municipal and nonprofit human service agencies.
Nonprofit agency advocates said today they expect more people than ever to apply for assistance.
Among the other discussion points at the joint committee meeting was the concern that too many residents who might need heating help aren’t aware of assistance programs.
Residents who need energy assistance to pay bills for oil, natural gas, coal, or other deliverable heating methods should call the state info line at 2-1-1.