INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Low-income families in Indiana who rely on federal aid to help pay their heating bills will get about a third less money this winter than last year under changes imposed by a state agency in response to expected federal cutbacks.
The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority says heating-assistance recipients will get about $255 this heating season. That's $130 less than last year but will allow the agency to help about 169,000 households — the same number as last year.
The reduction comes as a congressional panel is trying to cut at least $1.2 trillion to reduce the federal budget deficit.
Gary Olund of Northwest Indiana Community Action says heating-aid recipients are worried how they'll make ends meet with less aid in what's forecast to be a harsh winter.
