Library: News Release
Phone: (405) 522-3731, Fax: (405) 522-3146
e-mail: Mark.Beutler@OKDHS.org
Oklahoma Capitol -- Oklahomans who depend on heating assistance through the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) federally-funded Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) will see a greatly reduced dollar amount this winter. As a result of the limited funds, an open application period which was to have taken place Dec. 1 will NOT occur.
OKDHS officials say because of the lower amount provided in the federal budget, the number of Oklahomans who traditionally receive benefits will be drastically reduced.
The OKDHS-LIHEAP budget is roughly one-third what it was a year ago, with only $16 million appropriated to fund multiple programs, including winter heating, energy crisis assistance, and summer cooling.
“Typically we have an open application period for winter heating assistance that normally would begin Dec. 1,” said Kathie Wright, OKDHS Programs Manager. “But because of the drastically reduced funds this year, we will only offer assistance to pre-approved households, or those who already receive benefits through other OKDHS programs and identified as most vulnerable.
“This goes against the very core of our mission at OKDHS, which is to help Oklahomans in need. However, with limited funds from the federal government we can only do what we can with what we have,” Wright said.
Additionally, Wright says the amount provided to households who are pre-authorized will be less than previous years.
“We were faced with some very tough decisions this year,” Wright said. “We could keep the same dollar amount paid to households in past years, and help less people. Or, we could reduce the dollar amount to each household and try to help as many Oklahomans as possible. We opted for that decision.”
If Congress approves a budget and LIHEAP is funded at a higher rate than currently anticipated, OKDHS will consider accepting applications from other households at a later date in the winter of 2012.
“Bottom line is that OKDHS is trying to help as many Oklahomans as possible with what we have been provided,” Wright said, “and we continue to hope additional funds will become available.”
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