The Maine State Housing Authority announced Wednesday that the Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP) will not be opening on November 1 this year as a result of the ongoing federal government shutdown.
This comes as the shutdown is nearing historic lengths, on track to potentially outpace the 34-day shutdown that occurred in early 2019.
As part of the Low-Income Heating Assistance Program (LIHEAP), ECIP is designed to provide emergency aid to Mainers facing an “imminent heating crisis.”
Eligible recipients of regular HEAP benefits typically qualify to receive up to $500 in emergency assistance. It is estimated that about 7,000 households take advantage of this help every year.
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“This is a situation we never wanted to face,” said MaineHousing Director Daniel Brennan.
“With no federal funds available, we cannot proceed with the program,” Brennan continued. “We understand the severe impact this will have on Maine families, especially as winter approaches, and we share their anxiety.”
“We are closely monitoring the situation in Washington, DC,” added Brennan. “As soon as funding is secured, we will reopen HEAP and ECIP to help those in need.”
Community action agencies will continue to process HEAP applications while the shutdown continues, but no payments will be able to be issued until federal funding is secured.
“The inability to provide emergency heating support will devastate Maine’s most vulnerable households,” said Victoria Forkus, Executive Director of Maine Community Action Partnership (MeCAP).
“This is a heartbreaking, entirely avoidable, and unfair reality for many families already struggling to barely make ends meet,” Forkus said.
Democrats in Congress initiated the current shutdown and have to date voted against re-opening the federal government 13 times.
