January 07, 2022

Watson Coleman Doubles Help for New Jersey Families to Afford Energy Costs This Winter

Funds are Helping Lower Costs of Heating, Utilities and Energy Repairs for Hardworking Families, Seniors

Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) highlighted a new report from the White House outlining how she delivered more than double the annual investment to help New Jersey families afford energy costs. In total, Watson Coleman helped secure $285,638,960 for New Jersey through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) in the American Rescue Plan and annual appropriations. As Americans continue to deal with the impacts of the pandemic and high energy costs, New Jersey families and seniors are able to use these investments to lower the costs of staying warm this winter, cover utilities and pay for energy repairs.

“As extreme weather becomes more common due to the ongoing climate crisis, it’s crucial that working families have the resources to adapt. Last summer, I wrote to HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra urging him to allocate LIHEAP funding to lower cooling costs,” said Watson Coleman. “Now it’s winter, and families face the opposite problem — it’s too cold outside, but they can’t keep the heat on. It’s the Administration’s responsibility to ensure families can meet their basic energy needs, and I’m fighting to make that happen.” 

Local families who need assistance should contact DCA Community Affairs Director Mr. Fidel Ekhelar at (609) 984-6670 and Fidel.ekhelar@dca.nj.gov, or Tribal Office Administrator Ms. Danielle Cranmer at (856) 455-6910 and DCranmer@NLLTribe.com.

Click here to read the White House report for New Jersey.

 

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