HARTFORD, Conn. — The governors of all six New England states have asked Congress for an additional $3 billion for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, saying households across the region face sharply higher heating oil costs this winter, Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont's office said Monday.

The joint letter, sent to congressional appropriations leaders and signed by Lamont, Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee, Maine Gov. Janet Mills, New Hampshire Gov. Kelly Ayotte and Vermont Gov. Phil Scott, seeks to bring total funding for the program, known as LIHEAP, to $7 billion. The governors wrote that the money could come through an increase in the annual appropriation or a one-time emergency supplemental appropriation.

The governors wrote that New England is especially exposed to price increases because of cold winters, older housing and heavy reliance on delivered heating fuel. Citing the National Energy Assistance Directors Association, they said heating oil prices are projected to rise by about 50% this winter and that low-income households across the Northeast could face nearly $1.1 billion in additional heating oil costs.

At current funding levels, the letter said, rising prices will force states to reduce benefits or serve fewer eligible households.

"More than one third of households in Connecticut depend on deliverable oil to heat their homes," Lamont said in a statement.

In October, Lamont announced he was putting $12.7 million in state money from Connecticut's Federal Cuts Response Fund toward the state's federal LIHEAP allocation, his office said.

Connecticut households seeking heating help can find application information at ct.gov/heatinghelp.

The Signal reported Oct. 13 that Lamont planned to direct the $12.7 million to the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program, citing rising heating oil prices. The fund was created by Lamont and the General Assembly in 2025 to respond to federal policy and funding changes, and under that law legislative leaders had 24 hours to review the proposal and could vote to reject it.

Earlier coverage: Lamont moves to add $12.7 million in state money to Connecticut home heating aid

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