2 weeks Ago By Hayley Day [email protected]
Despite a dramatic restructuring of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Washington officials say remaining allocated funds for a national program to heat and cool low-income households are on the way, while Oregon officials say they have not been contacted about the federal government's changes.
Earlier this month the Trump administration laid off all of the employees in the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, the Associated Press reports. In light of the change, Lower Columbia CAP Executive Director Ilona Kerby said the organization is waiting to see if the remaining energy assistance program's allocated funds will be dispensed to the Longview-based organization, as well as those across the nation this congressional fiscal year, which runs through Sept. 30.
"This is a time of great uncertainty," Kerby said. Washington Department of Commerce spokesperson Amelia Lamb said the department received assurance from U.S.
Health and Human Services that the Washington state program's remaining $5.6 million will arrive this month. Lamb said department officials said the restructuring will not affect the remaining funds to be dispersed, or planning for the next federal fiscal year, which runs Oct.
1 through Sept. 30. U.
S. Health and Human Services typically withholds 10% of the fiscal year's award to be dispersed between January and April, she added. Washington state's total award this fiscal year is $56,305,774.
Lower Columbia CAP's total for the fiscal year is $679,331, Lamb said, including the remaining slated to arrive this month. CAP is the Cowlitz and Wahkiakum counties agency that receives money through the program to help locals who meet eligibility requirements pay utility bills and repair or replace heating and cooling units. A single person earning $22,590 or a family of four earning $46,800 a year would be eligible for the funds in 2025, according to the state department of commerce, which receives the money from the federal government.
Community Action Team in St. Helens dispenses the program's funds for Columbia, Clatsop and Tillamook counties residents in Oregon. U.
S. Health and Human Services first sends the funds to Oregon Housing and Community Services before dividing among local agencies. A spokesperson for the latter organization said Community Action Team is estimated to receive about $80,000 more through the federal energy assistance program this fiscal year.
The spokesperson added that the state is waiting for about $3.5-4 million more in total, but has not received word from the federal government about how federal staff reductions may affect state dollars. In addition to the federal program, regional programs also help with electric bill payments.
The Oregon Energy Assistance Program helps low-income customers of Pacific Power and Portland General Electric pay electric bills, provided through fees on customers' utility bills and delivered through the state Community Action Agencies, according to Oregon Housing and Community Services. Cowlitz County PUD also has a Warm Neighbor Program funded 100% by donations for low-income customers for short-term assistance. In addition to the federal program, regional programs also help with electric bill payments.
Cowlitz County PUD : www.cowlitzpud.org/customer-services/assistance-programs Oregon Energy Assistance Program : www.
oregon.gov/ohcs/energy-weatherization/pages/utility-bill-payment-assistance.aspx Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.
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