Story by Lisa Holland, Director of Communications, Community Action Partnership, Washington, DC / Printed in Community Action's Parternship's "The Promise" magazine.

Over the past several months, services such as the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) are garnering attention as these programs face significant proposed budget cuts at a time when demand for assistance continues to increase.

On January 19, the US Department of Health and Human Services released an announcement stating that the remaining LIHEAP funds (more than $865 million) for fiscal year 2012 were released to grantees. "Many Americans make difficult decisions whether it's paying for rent, food and heating costs, which can add a real strain on families," said Jeannie Chaffin, Director for the Office of Community Services. "We are releasing these funds today to help as many families as possible get through this winter season safe and warm."

And advocates, elected officials and organizations on the local and national levels are continuing to raise awareness through outreach and media coverage about the importance of the program to vulnerable people and families.

New Hampshire Businesses, Elected Officials Mobilize to Save LIHEAP

Upon reading about the shortfall of fuel assistance funding, Federal Savings Banking (FSB) immediately took notice and offered a donation to Community Action Partnership of Strafford County in New Hampshire. FSB also connected DF Richard, a locally owned heating oil and propane business, and together they are contributing $3,000 for the CAA's LIHEAP program. And they are encouraging other local businesses to do the same. "Regardless of the economic challenges we are all facing, I would encourage other local businesses to review their community reinvestment programs and consider making a donation to support fuel assistance programs," said James O'Neill, Jr. "Every dollar donated means a warmer winter for deserving people in our own very backyards."

Also in New Hampshire, Senator Jeanne Shaheen joined a bipartisan group of  senators to introduce the LIHEAP Protection Act, which would maintain level funding for the program at last year's level of $4.5 billion. "While we deal with our complex fiscal challenges, we must not turn our backs on our most vulnerable citizens who
rely on LIHEAP funding to ensure that they and their families don't freeze during the winter," said Senator Shaheen. "This is about doing what is right for New Hampshire families who are facing skyrocketing oil prices and winter weather right around the corner."

Media Outlets Profile the Effect of LIHEAP Cuts on Vulnerable New England Residents

"They're playing Russian roulette with people's lives," said John Drew, President and CEO of Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD) in an Associated Press article on the proposed LIHEAP cuts. The article noted that thousands of poor residents in the Northeast are preparing for a significant drop in LIHEAP funds as temperatures drop - including 92-year old Mary Power who lives in a drafty trailer in Boston's West Roxbury neighborhood and gets by on $11,148 a year in pension
and Social Security benefits. ABCD was also featured on a CBS Evening News story on the increase in requests for LIHEAP assistance amid significant budget cuts.

An article in The New York Times discussed proposed cuts to LIHEAP and how the state of Maine is "expecting less than half of the $55.6 million that it received last winter, even as more people are applying." Due to the looming cuts, many Maine residents are expecting to go days or weeks without heat. Since August, more than 9,000 households have applied for federal heating aid, according to a representative from Penquis, a local nonprofit - who added that the average benefit of $332 will only buy 100 gallons of fuel. Another Times article mentioned how Community Concepts - a CAA serving western Maine - has received dozens of calls daily from people seeking assistance with heating their homes, but fears running out of money since most of the funds reserved for emergencies have already been distributed.

National Fuel Funds Network Champions LIHEAP in PARADE and American Gas  Magazines

The National Fuel Funds Network (NFFN) - where Tom Slovall, CCAP, Executive Director of Operation: New View Community Action Agency in Iowa is Chairperson -was featured in the November 27 Giving Issue of PARADE magazine. The article
discussed NFFN, its members and the importance of energy assistance - as well as ways readers can make tax-deductible donations for home energy assistance to the organization.  NFFN will use the donations to help member organizations assist people in need keep Iheir homes warm and their lights on this winter. The Partnership is an NFFN member.

NFFN and LIHEAP were also featured in the "Saving LIHEAP" article in American Gas magazine. The article discusses the new Save LIHEAP Coalition, which is working to protect LIHEAP funding for LIHEAP and the families, elderly, and other needy Americans who rely on its existence. NFFN, American Gas Association, and
the Edison Electric Institute formed the coalition in order to boost the pro-LIHEAP message and create an effective grassroots lobbying effort for the program, which like many other services for low-income people, is facing significant proposed budget cuts at a time when demand for assistance continues to increase.