Families who
need financial help
to pay their utility bills
may have to wait
because of the
government shutdown
despite it being over.
Now the state funding
is secure but
the federal funds aren't
expected to be released
until December or January.
Now, as we understand it
our LIHEAP folks in
the federal government
can get to work in
trying to calculate
what the allocations
will be to each state.
That's what we expect
is still going
to take some time.
And how will it affect
the people who are
trying to apply
for that kind of assistance?
Will that also
be delayed to them?
So they absolutely
should apply now.
They should continue applying.
Applications are open
and our providers
are taking
those applications
and available
to assist in that way
so they can find out
if they're eligible
or ineligible.
That helps us
so that once
we receive the dollars
we're able to administer
those benefits.
But the good news is
folks should continue
to apply
throughout the season
because if they're
ineligible today
but a circumstance changes
we will continue
to recalculate
that eligibility
throughout the season.