VT Ski for Heat Event Hosts 20th Annual Benefit

January 11, 2020 – The 20th annual Ski for Heat event will be held in Vermont on January 11th. The Ski for Heat event raises money to assist low-income Vermont residents in paying their heating bills.

Over the past 19 years, the Ski for Heat event has raised over $425,000 to help low-income residents pay their winter utility bills. The event features live music and is one of the most anticipated events in the area by those who attend.

$50 Million Increase for LIHEAP FY 2020 Funding

December 20, 2019 – An increase for FY 2020 funding amounts has been announced for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). FY 2020 funding has increased $50 million to $3.74 billion.

DEFG Releases Findings of Annual Consumer Survey

December 13, 2019 – The Distributed Energy Financial Group (DEFG), has released a consumer survey report on how to best serve low-income customers in the utility sector. The report concludes there is a need for strategy in addressing utility bill affordability in low-income households.

The findings of the report show that forty-eight percent of the respondents indicated trouble paying utility bills and revealed that employed residents indicated a “higher level of trouble,” than unemployed residents.

AZ Workshops Educate Low Income Communities on Sustainable Energy

December 6, 2019 – Workshops in the Phoenix, Arizona area are available for low-income communities to attend, providing education on energy conservation topics. The workshops provided by Chipsa, include educating low-income attendees on how to interpret their energy bills.

Missouri WAP Available Through MOCA

November 22, 2019 – Missouri residents who are eligible for the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP), administered through the Missouri Ozarks Community Action (MOCA), can save an average of $283 annually through weatherization assistance. The assistance includes cost-effective building improvements such as ventilation, lighting improvements, air-sealing and insulation improvements.

Rhode Island to get $21.6M in Heating Assistance

November 14, 2019 – The state of Rhode Island is set to get approximately $21,566,217 through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The funding will be used to keep eligible Rhode Island residents warm and safe during the cold, winter months this year. Applicants can apply on the Rhode Island Department of Human Services website.

Funding Release Announced for LIHEAP FY 2020

November 4, 2019 – Approximately $3.32 billion of Federal Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 regular block-grant funding has been released to all LIHEAP grantees. This funding release reflects 90 percent of the funds under the Continuing Resolution (Continuing Appropriations Act, 2020, and Health Extenders Act of 2019), to grantees at the beginning of the program year.

OHIO HEAP Crisis Program Begins Nov 1

October 30, 2019 – Ohio’s Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) Winter Crisis Program will begin on November 1, 2019 and operate until March 31, 2020. The program assists eligible Ohioans who have received a utility service disconnection, have been threatened with a utility disconnection or have a bulk-fuel supply with less than 25 percent of fuel left in their tank.

LIHEAP Enrollment Around the Country Opens in November

October 23, 2019 – Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) agencies around the country, including states, tribes and territories, will be accepting applications for the 2020 Fiscal Year throughout November. Start and end dates for heating, crisis and weatherization programs may vary from state-to-state. To learn about program dates in your area, visit the LIHEAP Clearinghouse Program Duration web page.

MN Winter Moratorium Now in Effect

October 17, 2019 – Minnesota’s moratorium protection, known as the Cold Weather Rule, goes into effect from October 15 through April 15. As the cold, winter months approach, it is important that utility customers understand they are protected from shut-offs through utility moratoriums put in place by Public Utility Commissions (PUC).

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