January 10th, 2022 by WCBC Radio

Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Anthony G. Brown, Jamie Raskin, and David Trone (all D-Md.) announced that $143,357,536 in federal relief has been delivered to Maryland families to help cover their energy costs for fiscal year 2022 (October 2021 to September 2022). With the winter months upon Maryland, this relief from the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) – boosted by funding from the American Rescue Plan – will help eligible Marylanders cover utility costs and stay warm this winter.

“For Marylanders struggling to get by, the high energy bills that come during the winter months can create one of the biggest burdens on their pocketbooks. This vital relief will help families cover their utility costs and stay warm this winter. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact our communities, we were proud to fight for funding in the American Rescue Plan to support Marylanders, and we will keep working to reduce the burden of high energy costs that so many hardworking Americans face,” the lawmakers said.

The lawmakers secured $69,851,450 in LIHEAP funds for Maryland in the initial FY22 federal government funding legislation passed in September, in addition to the $73,506,086 delivered from the American Rescue Plan they helped enact in the spring of 2021.

Marylanders who need assistance with energy costs can apply through the Maryland Department of Human Services.