3.17.2014 On February 7, 2014 President Obama signed the farm bill. Included in the new law is a provision intended to curtail the use of what has come to be known as “Heat and Eat”. As one of the 17 states using Heat and Eat, this change will have significant negative implications for California.
Learn more about the changes and impact in California. PDF
California Action Request
CFPA recommends that California maintain its Heat and Eat program by investing the state resources necessary to meet the new minimum LIHEAP payment established in the farm bill.
California should raise the minimum, annual LIHEAP payment to just over $20 and modify the current Heat and Eat program to provide the payment only to CalFresh households that do not currently claim the SUA and/or would see an increase in CalFresh benefits due to Heat and Eat. Furthermore, the state resources allocated for this purpose should supplement existing utility assistance benefits provided through the State’s LIHEAP program. Doing so will ensure that current LIHEAP funding is protected and recipients of traditional LIHEAP benefits are not negatively impacted.
Read CFPA’s The Farm Bill Heat and Eat Provision: Overview, Opportunities, Risks and Recommendations document. PDF
Questions? Contact Alexis Fernández at 510.433.1122 ext. 111
