Minnesota Coalition Calls For State Action

(Adobe Stock via Minnesota News Connection)

(By Mike Moen. Minnesota News Connection) – SNAP benefits aren’t the only form of federal aid disrupted by the government shutdown. Heating assistance for eligible households is at a standstill, and a Minnesota coalition hopes the state steps in until the impact subsidies.

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, distributes federal dollars to states so they can sign up energy-burdened residents for utility bill relief and furnace repairs. Minnesota’s program recently announced this winter’s lump sum is delayed because of the budget impasse, but is still accepting applications. Eighteen Minnesota-based organizations, including CURE, want the state to adopt short-term fixes.

Maggie Schuppert, CURE’s director of strategic initiatives, said the timing is critical.

“People are having issues paying for their energy costs generally,” she said, “and that is being exacerbated by rising energy prices and electricity prices and natural gas prices.”