A pot of money for providing winter heating assistance to Connecticut’s low-income households is projected to increase by 1 percent, though Congress has not yet approved the funding.
The Department of Social Services is anticipating federal block grant funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program to be flat at $75.3 million.
However, projected carry-forwards from last year as well as energy vendor refunds to the program are expected to increase the total pot to $82.4 million, which would be a 1 percent increase.
The state expects funding will provide benefits to approximately 82,035 Connecticut households.
Several legislative committees convened mid-morning on Monday for a public hearing on the state’s plan for the block grant.
The LIHEAP funding covers less than 20 percent of Connecticut’s energy “affordability gap,” according to a 2017 study by nonprofit Operation Fuel.
