Multiple Maryland senators and congressmen announced more than $74 million in energy assistance for low-income families in the state.
The announcement was made on Wednesday by U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Reps. Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Jamie Raskin, David Trone and Glenn Ivey — all of whom are Maryland Democrats. The $74,410,147 in U.S. Department of Health and Human Services funding is for Maryland’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
The money will help reduce costs associated with home energy bills, energy crises, weatherization and energy-related repairs for low-income families to cool and heat their homes.
“Access to heat is a health and safety issue,” the lawmakers said. “With colder months approaching, these federal funds arrive at a critical time and will help ensure that Maryland families can stay safe and warm this winter.”
Maryland’s LIHEAP received more than a $1.8 million boost from the lawmakers’ passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act this year. It helped to provide $100 million to support homeowners in need nationwide for fiscal year 2024.
The remainder of the funds were provided by the LIHEAP block grant program, which is authorized by annual appropriations legislation and administered through the Office of Community Services at the Administration for Children and Families.
