Zawistowski Votes for Plan to Allocate Federal Funds to Heating Assistance Program

HARTFORD — State Rep. Tami Zawistowski today voted for a Department of Social Services (DSS) plan that allocates federal funds for Connecticut low income residents who need heating assistance. 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.

“For many people, this kind of assistance is essential to survival,” said Zawistowski, a member of the Appropriations Committee who represents the 61st General Assembly District serving Suffield, East Granby, and Windsor. “Nobody should have to choose between buying heating fuel and putting meals on the table.”

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.