BCAC Heating Assistance Program At Risk
Elements of the Trump administration's proposed federal budget would eliminate funding completely for the Berkshire Community Action Council and the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
BCAC, gives aid to low-income families and individuals to help with food insecurity, weatherization, repairs to heating systems, emergency relief from utility cut-offs, income tax filings, winter clothing for children, youth engagement and referrals to other agencies for help with health and addiction issues, domestic abuse and child-rearing issues.
It also has an average of 12,000 households annually, here, in a county with about 33,000 households.
The program begins Nov. 1 and ends April 30.
Help is on the way in the form of U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., who revealed she is working to reverse the administration's drive to end LIHEAP.
And U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, D-Mass., said the cuts are "unwarranted and unwise and the result of the massive tax reform package that recently passed to pay for the massive boost in spending for the Pentagon.