Idaho Families to See $8 Million More in Relief to Help With Home Heating Costs

BOISE, Idaho, Jan. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With a harsh winter sweeping across Idaho, families struggling with high home heating bills received good news today, nearly $8 million more dollars will be available to help them.  This week, it was announced that $1.6 billion in additional funding will come to states as part of the federally funded Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).  Idaho's share would be enough to provided assistance to roughly 14,000 more households and AARP is urging people who qualify to apply now.

This winter in Idaho the program has already helped about 23,000 households afford to heat their homes.  The program is important for older people on limited incomes who tend to be hit harder by winter home heating costs – while people over 65 spend about 30% of their household income on health care costs, they spend about 20% on utility costs, with home energy costs making up the bulk of that.  

"High home energy bills often force older Idahoans to choose between food and medicine and staying warm," said Jim Wordelman, State Director for AARP in Idaho.  "LIHEAP is a critical program to Idahoans, and the additional funds mean more households in the state will get needed help this winter."

The new funds bring the total amount of LIHEAP dollars Idaho has received to help households across the state with home heating costs this winter to approximately $22.8 million. Eligible Idaho residents can apply for LIHEAP assistance through March 31st; however, the funds are available on a first come first serve basis.  

"We realize that households on fixed incomes are really struggling with high energy costs this heating season," said Christina Zamora, Energy Programs Coordinator for the Community Action Partnership Association of Idaho.  "LIHEAP assists income qualified households with members over the age of 60 with an additional $25 benefit."

Information regarding eligibility requirements and where to apply for LIHEAP can be found on AARP Idaho's website: www.aarp.org/ID.  

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SOURCE AARP Idaho