Energy-assistance funds at risk in U.S. budget, as area agency objects to severe cuts in program

Federal staffing cuts are leading to concern in western Wisconsin about energy and food supplies to low-income families.

The Couleecap organization says a home energy program for low-income households, known as LIHEAP, is at risk because its employees were fired last week as part of government budget changes. Couleecap says money to help many families pay utility bills could be cut off within a few months. However, Couleecap executive director Hetti Brown says there is no disruption yet to services in the La Crosse area, and services should be maintained for a few more weeks or months.

Last year, nearly 10,000 homes in the four Wisconsin counties served by Couleecap received assistance through the LIHEAP program. The agency serves La Crosse, Monroe, Vernon, and Crawford Counties. Couleecap says around 180,000 families statewide have received energy help, because households had seniors, disabled residents, or children under the age of 6.

Brown also objects to cuts being made to the Emergency Food Assistance Program, also called TEFAP. She says federal reductions will cause the cancellation of more than a million pounds of milk, meat, eggs, and cheese from the USDA, which were expected to be delivered to Wisconsin starting in June.