A broad based coalition of consumer and low income advocates and labor unions held a press conference this week to urge the Governor to reject the cuts proposed by the state Department of Public Welfare to the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

Unless those proposed cuts are restored, many Pennsylvania seniors and low and moderate income families will not be able to heat their homes this winter.

The Coalition released copies of Congressional votes that show Congress’ willingness to fund LIHEAP at last year’s level of $5.1 billion nationwide, making the proposed cuts unnecessary.

The groups are urging Gov. Rendell to prevent the Department of Public Welfare’s misguided plan which is based on the erroneous assumption that only $2.4 billion will be allocated by the federal government nationwide.

LIHEAP is a federal program funded through block grants. It was started by President Jimmy Carter to ensure that seniors and low and moderate income families would be able to heat their homes even during times of high energy prices. Because the cost of administering the program is covered by the block grant itself, no state or local funds are needed.

Every year the Department of Welfare proposes a state LIHEAP plan, containing the dates the program will open, who is eligible and the minimum and maximum grants. But this year’s proposal contains drastic and draconian cuts to the program despite Congress being set to fund it at last year levels.

“We are asking the Governor to protect the most vulnerable of Pennsylvanians and restore the LIHEAP program to last year’s levels with last years deadlines,” said Lance Haver, director of Consumer Affairs for the City of Philadelphia. “

Last year LIHEAP and Crisis grants could be used together to stop shut offs, fix heaters or fill tanks with oil. Under this year’s plan that would be prohibited.

Last year people losing their jobs in January, February and March could receive help from LIHEAP, under this year’s plan, anyone who needs help after January 3 will be denied.

For fuel oil and propane users, the crisis grant is so small that many companies will refuse to make deliveries.