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Coping With Less LIHEAP Funding

AP/Toby Talbot
Low income Vermonters receive fuel assistance through LIHEAP.

11/13/13 at noon and 7 p.m.: The federal government has cut back funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, for this winter. This could have a detrimental effect on low income Vermonters. The cuts are exacerbated by changes in the amount that Vermont fuel dealers can charge LIHEAP customers, prompting at least a dozen dealers to opt out of the program this year.

Dave Yacovone, commissioner of the Department for Children and Families, and Vermont Fuel Dealers Association Executive Director Matt Cota discuss how the changes will affect low income Vermonters this winter.

Also in the program, the Vermont Attorney General’s office has settled two lawsuits involving phone charges for services that weren’t authorized by customers and more than 12,000 individuals and businesses in Vermont will receive refunds. Attorney General Bill Sorrell explains what customers should be alert to in their landline and cell phone bills.

And, we read comments from our listener mailbag.

Ric was a producer for Vermont Edition and host of the VPR Cafe.
Jane Lindholm is the host, executive producer and creator of But Why: A Podcast For Curious Kids. In addition to her work on our international kids show, she produces special projects for Vermont Public. Until March 2021, she was host and editor of the award-winning Vermont Public program Vermont Edition.
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