Heating help on the way?

Congress is now considering a big increase in funding for a program that helps the poor pay for winter heating. Ron Hardin of SNAP — the Spokane Neighborhood Action Programs — said this morning that the House has passed the increases in the LIHEAP program, and the Senate is considering them, with a vote expected before the end of the week. LIHEAP stands for Low-Income Heating and Energy Assistance Program; money from the federal program is a “significant portion” of the SNAP programs budget. UPDATE: Here’s a big-picture look at the home-heating crisis that’s prompting lawmakers to increase heating assistance, even in the midst of the larger economic crisis. This comes from Stateline.org. “Experts expect average home energy prices to increase 17 percent this winter compared to last year, with heating oil soaring 30.1 percent above last year’s prices. In addition, climbing jobless rates have contributed to a 9.5 percent increase since last year in the number of people unable to pay their energy bills. According to NEADA, 15.6 million households owed almost $5 billion as of March 31, 2008, an increase of almost $640 million over the same period in 2007.”