#Low Income Heating and Energy Assistance Program

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Kate Aronoff at TNR:

As Republicans attempt to slash Inflation Reduction Act subsidies for renewable energy and electric vehicles, drastic cuts to programs that ostensibly have nothing to do with climate change could put more people at risk of getting sick and dying from extreme heat. Case in point is the relatively low-profile Low Income Heating and Energy Assistance Program, known as LIHEAP. Created by Congress in 1981 as a means to help people afford the costs of heating and cooling their homes, it currently helps some 6.2 million people pay their bills. In early April, the Trump administration fired the program’s entire staff of fewer than 30 people, whose jobs were housed within Robert F. Kennedy’s Department of Health and Human Services. Congress allocated $4.1 billion to LIHEAP this fiscal year, about 90 percent of which had already been distributed to states by the time the administration decided to purge its staff. That leaves $378 million left to be given out, and no one left to do it. The White House’s 2026 discretionary budget proposes eliminating LIHEAP altogether.

LIHEAP’s budget isn’t a massive line item for the federal government, but it could be the difference between life and death for those who depend on it to keep their homes from turning into ovens. Roughly two million households across the Northeast rely on the program. In some of those states, more than 50 percent of LIHEAP users are over the age of 60—populations that are especially vulnerable to extreme heat. One Virginia-wide study found that zip codes with higher percentages of residents 65 and older were associated with a 23 percent higher risk of heat-related emergency room visits and hospital admissions in high temperatures.

[...\

Soaring electricity bills force lower-income households to choose between keeping the air on and necessities like food and childcare. Discussions about Republican attacks on climate policy in recent weeks have focused mainly on the House’s budget bill, which would gut IRA programs that incentivize corporations and homeowners to invest in low-carbon manufacturing, energy-efficient appliances, and renewable energy. Yet that bill’s sweeping cuts to welfare state programs like Medicaid and SNAP benefits—which would kick tens of millions of people off both—could leave millions at risk of dying in heat waves in ways that are harder to track, as more people are forced to make dangerous trade-offs between staying cool, seeking out medical treatment, and putting food on the table. These pressures are especially acute for the country’s 45 million renters. While states typically require landlords to keep renters’ homes above a certain temperature in the winter, there are many fewer provisions to protect tenants against extreme heat. Some historically hotter municipalities—like Tempe, Arizona, and New Orleans—have put in place cooling standards and maximum temperature ordinances, but such protections are rare. Even rarer are rules that keep landlords from raising rents by exorbitant amounts if they do install air conditioners.

More GOP insanity: Their budget bill seeks to put Low Income Heating and Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) on the chopping block, meaning that for low-income Americans that have to make a decision between paying electricity and food, it could be a decision between life and death.

[directactionforhope]

"Starting this month [June 2024], thousands of young people will begin doing climate-related work around the West as part of a new service-based federal jobs program, the American Climate Corps, or ACC. The jobs they do will vary, from wildland firefighters and “lawn busters” to urban farm fellows and traditional ecological knowledge stewards. Some will work on food security or energy conservation in cities, while others will tackle invasive species and stream restoration on public land. 

The Climate Corps was modeled on Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Civilian Conservation Corps, with the goal of eventually creating tens of thousands of jobs while simultaneously addressing the impacts of climate change. 

Applications were released on Earth Day, and Maggie Thomas, President Joe Biden’s special assistant on climate, told High Country News that the program’s website has already had hundreds of thousands of views. Since its launch, nearly 250 jobs across the West have been posted, accounting for more than half of all the listed ACC positions. 

“Obviously, the West is facing tremendous impacts of climate change,” Thomas said. “It’s changing faster than many other parts of the country. If you look at wildfire, if you look at extreme heat, there are so many impacts. I think that there’s a huge role for the American Climate Corps to be tackling those crises.”  

Most of the current positions are staffed through state or nonprofit entities, such as the Montana Conservation Corps or Great Basin Institute, many of which work in partnership with federal agencies that manage public lands across the West. In New Mexico, for example, members of Conservation Legacy’s Ecological Monitoring Crew will help the Bureau of Land Management collect soil and vegetation data. In Oregon, young people will join the U.S. Department of Agriculture, working in firefighting, fuel reduction and timber management in national forests. 

New jobs are being added regularly. Deadlines for summer positions have largely passed, but new postings for hundreds more positions are due later this year or on a rolling basis, such as the Working Lands Program, which is focused on “climate-smart agriculture.”  ...

On the ACC website, applicants can sort jobs by state, work environment and focus area, such as ���Indigenous knowledge reclamation” or “food waste reduction.” Job descriptions include an hourly pay equivalent — some corps jobs pay weekly or term-based stipends instead of an hourly wage — and benefits. The site is fairly user-friendly, in part owing to suggestions made by the young people who participated in the ACC listening sessions earlier this year...

The sessions helped determine other priorities as well, Thomas said, including creating good-paying jobs that could lead to long-term careers, as well as alignment with the president’s Justice40 initiative, which mandates that at least 40% of federal climate funds must go to marginalized communities that are disproportionately impacted by climate change and pollution. 

High Country News found that 30% of jobs listed across the West have explicit justice and equity language, from affordable housing in low-income communities to Indigenous knowledge and cultural reclamation for Native youth...

While the administration aims for all positions to pay at least $15 an hour, the lowest-paid position in the West is currently listed at $11 an hour. Benefits also vary widely, though most include an education benefit, and, in some cases, health care, child care and housing. 

All corps members will have access to pre-apprenticeship curriculum through the North America’s Building Trades Union. Matthew Mayers, director of the Green Workers Alliance, called this an important step for young people who want to pursue union jobs in renewable energy. Some members will also be eligible for the federal pathways program, which was recently expanded to increase opportunities for permanent positions in the federal government...

 “To think that there will be young people in every community across the country working on climate solutions and really being equipped with the tools they need to succeed in the workforce of the future,” Thomas said, “to me, that is going to be an incredible thing to see.”"

-via High Country News, June 6, 2024

--

Note: You can browse Climate Corps job postings here, on the Climate Corps website. There are currently 314 jobs posted at time of writing!

Also, it says the goal is to pay at least $15 an hour for all jobs (not 100% meeting that goal rn), but lots of postings pay higher than that, including some over $20/hour!!

[dandelionsresilience]

Dandelion News - January 22-28

Like these weekly compilations? Tip me at $kaybarr1735 or check out my Dandelion Doodles!

1. Sunfish that got sick after aquarium closed has recovered — thanks to human cutouts

“A solitary sunfish […] appeared unwell days after the facility closed last month for renovations. As a last-ditch measure to save the popular fish, its keepers hung their uniforms and set up human cutouts outside the tank. The next morning, the sunfish ate for the first time in about a week and has been steadily recovering[….]”

2. Costco stands by DEI policies, accuses conservative lobbyists of 'broader agenda'

“[Each of the board of directors and 98% of shareholders voted to reject a measure against DEI.] Costco's board wrote that “our commitment to an enterprise rooted in respect and inclusion is appropriate and necessary[….]””

3. Nearly $37 Million Will Support Habitat Restoration in Coastal Louisiana

“The project will restore nearly 380 acres of marsh and construct more than 7,000 feet of terraces in St. Bernard Parish. […] Coastal wetlands help protect communities [… from] wind, waves, and flooding[… and] support a statewide seafood industry valued at nearly $1 billion per year.”

4. Cooling green roofs seemed like an impossible dream for Brazil's favelas. Not true!

“[… A Brazilian nonprofit] teaches favela residents how to build their own green roofs as a way to beat the heat without overloading electrical grids[…,] dampen noise pollution, improve building energy efficiency, prevent flooding by reducing storm water runoff and ease anxiety.”

5. Bacteria found to eat forever chemicals -- and even some of their toxic byproducts

“"Many previous studies have only reported the degradation of PFAS, but not the formation of metabolites. We not only accounted for PFAS byproducts but found some of them continued to be further degraded by the bacteria," says the study's first author[….]”

6. A father and daughter’s to turn oil data into life-saving water

“The aquifer [discovered through oil-owned seismic data], it turned out, was vast enough to provide water for 2 million people for more than a century.”

7. Trump’s funding pause won’t impact federal student loans, Pell Grants

“[… T]he temporary pause will not impact “assistance received directly by individuals,” including federal direct student loans and Pell Grants, which are government subsidies that help low-income students pay for college.”

8. In Uganda, a women-led reforestation initiative fights flooding, erosion

“[… T]he Kasese municipality has established nurseries to provide free tree seedlings, particularly to women, to support reforestation efforts. [… They] plant Ficus trees near their homesteads to provide shade and help control erosion, and Dracaena trees on their fields to retain soil moisture.”

9. [A Texas school board] votes yes to provide low-cost housing to staff at no cost to the district

“The program will include 300 homes[…] only a short commute to campuses. […] Rent will be determined on a sliding scale based on their salaries, with those making less receiving a larger discount. The proposed community would include amenities, like childcare facilities[….]”

10. Heat pumps keep widening their lead on gas furnaces

“Americans bought 37% more air-source heat pumps than the next-most-popular heating appliance, gas furnaces, during the first 11 months of the year. That smashes 2023’s record-setting lead of 21%.”

January 15-21 news here | (all credit for images and written material can be found at the source linked; I don’t claim credit for anything but curating.)

[saywhat-politics]

More than 6 million Americans benefit from the Low Income Energy Assistance Program, but the Trump administration has fired the program's entire staff.

April 6, 2025, 3:00 AM MST

By Logan Atkinson Burke, executive director of the Alliance for Affordable Energy

Louisiana gets hot. Brutally hot in the summer. In 2023, New Orleans had about 20 sweaty nights when the temperature never dipped below 80 degrees. Ours is the kind of heat that requires air conditioning to sleep, and it often feels like we need AC just to breathe.

Imagine you’re already struggling with the high cost of living. Your rent has spiked, your grocery bill has spiked even more, it’s summer in Louisiana, and because you can’t afford your $350 electricity bill, you receive a disconnection notice. How do you survive?

[mariacallous]

The summer of 2021 was brutal for residents of the Pacific Northwest. Cities across the region from Portland, Oregon, to Quillayute, Washington, broke temperature records by several degrees. In Washington, as the searing heat wave settled over the state, 125 people died from heat-related illnesses such as strokes and heart attacks, making it the deadliest weather event in the state’s history.

As officials recognized the heat wave’s disproportionate effect on low-income and unhoused people unable to access air-conditioning, they made a crucial change to the state’s energy assistance program. Since the early 1980s, states, tribes, and territories have received funds each year to help low-income people pay their electricity bills and install energy-efficiency upgrades through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP. Congress appropriates funds for the program, and the Department of Health and Human Services, or HHS, doles it out to states in late fall. Until the summer of 2021, the initiative primarily provided heating assistance during Washington’s cold winter months. But that year, officials expanded the program to cover cooling expenses.

Last year, Congress appropriated $4.1 billion for the effort, and HHS disbursed 90 percent of the funds. But the program is now in jeopardy.

Earlier this month, HHS, led by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., laid off 10,000 employees, including the roughly dozen or so people tasked with running LIHEAP. The agency was supposed to send out an additional $378 million this year, but those funds are now stuck in federal coffers without the staff needed to move the money out.

LIHEAP helps roughly 6 million people survive freezing winters and blistering summers, many of whom face greater risks now that the year’s warm season has already brought unusually high temperatures. Residents of Phoenix are expected to have their first 100-degree high any day now.

“We’re seeing the warm-weather states really coming up short with the funding necessary to assist people in the summer with extreme heat,” said one of the HHS employees who worked on the LIHEAP program and was recently laid off. Losing the people that ran the program is “absolutely devastating,” they said, because agency staff helped states and tribes understand the flexibilities in the program to serve people effectively, assistance that became extremely important with increasingly erratic weather patterns across the country.

In typical years, once Congress appropriates LIHEAP funds, HHS distributes the money in the fall in time for the colder months. States and other entities then make critical decisions about how much they spend during the winter and how much they save for the summer.

The need for LIHEAP funds has always been greater than what has been available. Only about 1 in 5 households that meet the program’s eligibility requirements receive funds. As a result, states often run out of money by the summer. At least a quarter of LIHEAP grant recipients run out of money at some point during the year, the former employee said.

“That remaining 10 percent would be really important to establish cooling assistance during the hot summer months, which is increasingly important,” said Katrina Metzler, executive director of the National Energy and Utility Affordability Coalition, a group of nonprofits and utilities that advances the needs of low-income people. “If LIHEAP were to disappear, people would die in their homes. That’s the most critical issue. It saves people.”

In addition to Washington, many other states have expanded their programs to provide both heating and cooling programs. Arizona, Texas, and Oregon now offer year-round cooling assistance.

HHS staff plays a crucial role in running LIHEAP. They assess how much each state, tribe, and territory will receive. They set rules for how the money could be used. They audit local programs to ensure funds are being spent as intended. All that may now be lost.

But according to Metzler, there are some steps that HHS could take to ensure that the program continues to be administered as Congress intended. First, and most obvious, the agency could reinstate those who were fired. Short of that, the agency could move the program to another department within HHS or contract out the responsibilities.

But ultimately, Metzler continued, LIHEAP funds need to be distributed so those in need can access it. “Replacing the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program is a nearly impossible task,” she said. States “can’t have enough bake sales to replace” it.

[akashem]

Top 5 Grants You Should Know About

Looking for financial assistance? Here are the top 5 grants you should know about:

The Federal Pell Grant: A need-based grant for students pursuing higher education.

Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): Provides help with heating and cooling costs for low-income households.

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program: Offers funding for small businesses to conduct research and development.

Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Grants: Supports low-income housing programs and community development.

Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP): Provides grants for housing, food, and other emergency needs.

Explore these opportunities and take the next step toward securing the funding you need!

[indianbiogas]

How Biogas in Kerala is Powering a Green Revolution in Rural Communities

Kerala, known for its lush greenery and progressive environmental policies, is leading the way in sustainable energy. One of the most promising developments is the increasing use of biogas in Kerala, especially in rural areas. This shift not only promotes clean energy but also supports rural livelihoods and reduces dependence on traditional fuels.

What is Biogas?

Biogas is a renewable energy source produced from the anaerobic digestion of organic waste like cow dung, kitchen scraps, and agricultural residues. The result is a clean-burning gas (mainly methane) used for cooking and electricity, and a nutrient-rich slurry that works as an excellent organic fertilizer.

Why Rural Kerala is Turning to Biogas

Abundance of Organic Waste Kerala’s agrarian communities generate substantial amounts of biodegradable waste. Biogas offers an effective way to turn this waste into energy.

Rising Fuel Costs LPG and firewood prices have steadily increased. Biogas provides a low-cost, sustainable alternative for cooking and heating.

Eco-Conscious Population Awareness around climate change and sustainable living has grown in Kerala, prompting people to adopt greener technologies.

Government Support for Biogas in Kerala

The state government and agencies like ANERT (Agency for Non-Conventional Energy and Rural Technology) actively promote biogas by:

Providing subsidies for household and community biogas plants

Conducting training and awareness programs

Supporting self-help groups and cooperatives with technical assistance

Real Impact: Case Studies from Rural Kerala

In districts like Wayanad, Palakkad, and Idukki, small-scale farmers and women’s self-help groups are seeing tangible benefits:

Reduced LPG dependency

Improved sanitation

Income from organic fertilizer sales

Empowered women through community-led projects

Challenges and the Road Ahead

Despite the success stories, challenges like initial installation costs, maintenance knowledge, and scalability remain. However, with better policy implementation and grassroots awareness, the use of biogas in Kerala is expected to grow significantly in the coming years.

Conclusion

Biogas in Kerala is more than just a clean energy solution — it’s a symbol of self-reliance, rural empowerment, and ecological responsibility. As adoption increases, Kerala is setting an example for sustainable rural development across India.

[homeenergyguide]

Government Grants for Loft Insulation – Unlock Savings with Home Energy Guide Government loft insulation grants are among the most powerful means available to UK home owners of cutting heating bills, saving energy, and making their residences more green. Here at Home Energy Guide, our purpose is to assist you through these grant programs and maximize the savings that are available to you. Loft insulation is crucial to keeping your home warm, particularly in the winter months. If you don't have it, a quarter of heat from your home would be leaking away through the roof. This means more energy consumption and, ultimately, larger bills. Fortunately, with government loft insulation grants, you won't have to cover these costs yourself. By initiatives like the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4), the government of the UK offers funding to assist eligible households in making their home more energy-efficient. The grants are aimed at those receiving certain benefits, low-income families, or those with low energy rating homes. You may be eligible for this insulation at no cost at all. At Home Energy Guide, we keep it easy. From the initial inquiry to the last installation, our experts guide you through it all. We provide a free assessment for eligibility, assist with the application, and schedule professional installation by licensed, vetted tradespeople. It's an easy way to enhance your home without breaking the bank. Not only will loft insulation save you money on energy bills, but it will also make your home more comfortable year-round and be helping the UK meet its target to reduce carbon emissions. It's a wise investment that will pay for itself in more than one way. With energy costs at record highs, there’s never been a better time to improve your home’s efficiency. Home Energy Guide is proud to be your go-to source for reliable information and access to trusted government programs. We’ve already helped thousands of households across the country—now it’s your turn. Don't miss the chance to improve your home with the assistance of government grants for loft insulation. Contact Home Energy Guide today and discover how straightforward it is to begin cutting your bills and carbon footprint—today and in the years to come. Let Home Energy Guide assist you in making the most out of government grants for loft insulation and warm, greener, and more economical your home.

[cavenewstimestoday]

Trump Targets Air-Conditioning and Heating Funds for Low-Income Households

The Trump administration’s proposed budget cuts the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which provides funding for home heating and cooling By Ariel Wittenberg & E&E News A close-up view of red-brick residential apartment buildings in New York City, showcasing repetitive windows, air conditioning units. Karolis Kavolelis/Alamy Stock Photo CLIMATEWIRE | The Trump administration…

[eco4schemeupdatesblog]

ECO4 Funding for Low-Income Households

through ECO4 funding British families in poverty can lower their energy expenses and enhance their home energy efficiency. Major energy suppliers fund the government program that offers insulation upgrades and heating system and renewable energy technology installation assistance for all eligible beneficiaries. Households will receive the greatest advantages from the program when they understand…

[hhtthoughts]

Government Support Systems

Support Systems

Wayne County residents have access to a robust network of family support services offered through various government agencies. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) serves as the primary hub for essential family assistance programs throughout the county. MDHHS provides numerous services including the Family Independence Program, State Disability Assistance, child care payment assistance, and Children's Special Health Care Services Michigan. These programs form the foundation of the social safety net for families facing economic challenges.

For families needing immediate financial assistance, MDHHS offers help with home repairs, heat and utility bills, relocation, home ownership, burials, and other emergency needs through various eligibility-based programs Michigan. Additionally, the Food Assistance Program helps low-income families access nutritious food, while Medicaid programs provide critical healthcare coverage Michigan.

Crisis Intervention and Mental Health Services

Wayne County has developed specialized services for families experiencing crisis situations. The Community Outreach for Psychiatric Emergencies (COPE) represents a significant advancement in crisis response. Created by Hegira Health, Inc. in collaboration with Detroit Wayne Mental Health Authority, COPE provides centralized and mobile adult crisis services across Wayne County, offering face-to-face, flexible interventions where the crisis is identified COPE.

For those experiencing mental health emergencies, the Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network (DWIHN) ensures appropriate access to behavioral health services and crisis management for Wayne County residents with intellectual/developmental disabilities, mental illness, children with serious emotional disturbance, and individuals with substance use disorders Dwihn. Their Access Call Center serves as a general information and referral source for behavioral health services in the county.

Families in need of immediate crisis intervention can utilize Wayne County's 24-hour emergency telephone service at 800-241-4949, which offers crisis counseling for those in danger of hurting themselves or others, as well as assistance with substance abuse issues, depression, anxiety, and other mental health concerns Thearcww.

Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services

First Step stands as a crucial resource for families affected by domestic and sexual violence in Wayne County. Since 1978, this non-profit agency has provided comprehensive services for victims, including a 24-hour helpline that serves as a lifeline for many survivors, offering crisis intervention, support, information, and safety planning First Step.

The organization's services extend beyond immediate crisis response. First Step provides emergency short-term housing for victims and their children, individual and group counseling, safety planning, medical attention, housing referrals, and educational and recreational activities for children First Step. Their staff and volunteers respond to victims at local emergency rooms, police stations, and schools around the clock.

Community-Based Organizations

Wayne Metro Community Action Agency plays a pivotal role in providing comprehensive family support services. Their programs include emergency housing assistance, weatherization services, early childhood education support, youth development activities, family literacy programs, energy assistance, free tax preparation, and supportive housing services for those experiencing homelessness Waynemetro.

For families with children in single-parent households, Single Family Living offers targeted support. This nonprofit organization, founded in 2013, aims to break the cycle of poverty and crime by providing quality education and support to children from single-parent homes, including tutoring, STEM education, literacy programs, and youth mental health awareness initiatives singlefamilyliving.

Common Ground serves as another vital community resource, providing nationally recognized comprehensive crisis services for over 50 years, helping people connect to the care they need during personal crises Common Ground. Their services include mental health support and trauma response.

Accessing Help

Wayne County residents seeking assistance can utilize Michigan 2-1-1, an easy-to-use service that connects people with help for food, housing, paying bills, family crises, or community disasters through phone calls, texts, or online searches Michigan 2-1-1. This resource streamlines the process of finding appropriate services among the many options available.

The state's Helping Hand website also assists Michigan citizens facing economic hardship in finding needed services related to jobs and training, unemployment benefits, health care, family support, and housing Michigan, making it easier to navigate the complex web of available resources.

Child Welfare and Support

For families dealing with child welfare concerns, Wayne County offers specialized services. These include Children's Protective Services, adoption programs, foster care support, and programs for healthy children and families covering immunization, lead poisoning prevention, and prenatal care Michigan.

The Michigan Child Support program provides crucial financial assistance to families, offering online resources through MiChildSupport, where users can view and update personal information and access family violence protection resources State.

Wayne County's family services network reflects a comprehensive approach to addressing the diverse needs of families facing challenges. From basic financial assistance to specialized crisis intervention, from domestic violence support to educational programs, the county offers a wide range of resources designed to strengthen families and communities. While navigating these services can be complex, centralized access points like Michigan 2-1-1 and MDHHS help connect families with the specific support they need during difficult times. Through this integrated network of government agencies, non-profit organizations, and community-based programs, Wayne County demonstrates its commitment to supporting the well-being and resilience of families throughout the region.

More information

family services

Wayne Family Services

[sab-cat]

Apr 24, 2025

Money for heating and cooling assistance for those in need is on the line. As part of the cuts to the Department of Health and Human Services, the Trump administration reportedly fired the staff that runs the Low-Income Home Energy Program. Congress already approved funds for the program but with the staff gone, the allocated money is frozen. Amna Nawaz discussed more with Logan Atkinson Burke.

[comparableau]

How to Claim the Best Energy Rebates in Victoria for Maximum Savings

Energy bills are one of the most significant monthly expenses for households in Victoria. However, there’s good news for those looking to reduce their energy costs—best energy rebates are available to help lower the amount you pay each month. Understanding how to claim these rebates can help you save a substantial amount on your bills while also making your home more energy-efficient. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore how to claim the best energy rebates in Victoria for maximum savings.

What Are Energy Rebates?

Energy rebates are financial incentives offered by the government, energy providers, or other organizations that help reduce the cost of your energy bills or encourage energy efficiency. These rebates are designed to help households and businesses lower their energy consumption and environmental impact, providing an opportunity to save money.

In Victoria, various energy rebates exist, including those that support energy-efficient home improvements, assist with electricity bill rebates, and promote sustainable energy use. By claiming these rebates, you can reduce your overall energy costs and contribute to a more sustainable environment.

Types of Best Energy Rebates in Victoria

Before claiming any rebates, it's important to understand the different types available in Victoria. Below are the most common energy rebates you can take advantage of:

1. Victorian Energy Upgrades Program

The Victorian Energy Upgrades Program offers rebates and incentives to households and businesses that install energy-efficient products. These upgrades can include things like energy-efficient lighting, appliances, insulation, and heating systems.

How to claim: To qualify for this rebate, you must use an accredited energy efficiency retailer. The rebate will often cover part of the cost of installation for energy-efficient products. You can search for accredited retailers through the official government website.

2. Power Saving Bonus

The Power Saving Bonus is a one-time rebate offered to Victorian households to help reduce electricity costs. Eligible households can claim this rebate once per year.

How to claim: To claim the Power Saving Bonus, simply visit the Victorian Government’s Power Saving Bonus website, where you’ll be prompted to enter your details. The payment is processed directly to your nominated bank account after you complete the online form.

3. Solar Victoria Rebate

If you're considering installing solar panels, the Solar Victoria Rebate offers a significant discount on the cost of solar installations for eligible homeowners.

How to claim: To qualify for this rebate, you must be a homeowner with an existing residential property and meet income criteria. You will need to apply through the Solar Victoria website before installing solar panels, and the rebate will be deducted from the total installation cost.

4. Low Income Energy Rebate

For households experiencing financial hardship, the Low Income Energy Rebate offers assistance to help cover the cost of electricity bills. This rebate is available to eligible concession cardholders.

How to claim: If you have a valid concession card, you can apply for this rebate through your energy retailer. The rebate is automatically applied to your bill once you’re confirmed as eligible.

5. Energy Bill Assistance Program

This program offers rebates to help low-income households pay their energy bills. The Energy Bill Assistance Program is aimed at assisting those struggling with ongoing energy costs.

How to claim: Eligibility for this rebate is based on income, and you can apply directly through your energy retailer or via government-supported programs.

Steps to Claim the Best Energy Rebates in Victoria

Claiming the best energy rebates in Victoria may vary depending on the rebate type, but generally, the steps are straightforward. Here’s how to claim the rebates mentioned above:

Step 1: Check Eligibility

Before applying for any electricity bill rebates or other energy rebates, ensure you meet the eligibility criteria. For most rebates, you will need to:

Be a resident of Victoria

Meet income or property criteria

Use an accredited service provider (for upgrades and installations)

Step 2: Gather Necessary Documents

For some rebates, you will need supporting documentation, such as:

Proof of residency in Victoria

A copy of your electricity bills

Documentation of your energy-efficient upgrade (if applicable)

Step 3: Apply Online

Most rebates can be claimed online through the relevant government or energy provider website. For example, the Power Saving Bonus and Low Income Energy Rebate can be claimed by simply completing an online form. Be sure to fill out all sections accurately to avoid delays.

Step 4: Submit Your Application

Once you’ve filled out the application form and uploaded any necessary documentation, submit it for review. Some rebates may require you to follow up with an accredited energy retailer, particularly for upgrades like solar panel installations.

Step 5: Receive Payment or Discount

Once your application is approved, the rebate will either be credited to your electricity bill or paid directly into your nominated bank account. Make sure to check your bill or bank statement for confirmation of the rebate being applied.

[qrydenation]

Enjoy Home-Delivered Meals: The Best Meal Delivery for Seniors

Aging brings with it new challenges and changes, especially when it comes to maintaining a healthy and consistent diet. For many older adults, shopping for groceries, planning meals, and cooking each day can become overwhelming or physically demanding. Fortunately, today’s meal delivery for seniors is helping transform daily life — offering a simple, dependable, and healthy solution right at your doorstep.

Thanks to a variety of services now available across the country, seniors can enjoy home-cooked meals without ever needing to step into a kitchen. With a growing list of options that include food delivery near me, nutritious weekly plans, and even grocery delivery for seniors, staying independent and well-fed has never been easier.

The Importance of Meal Delivery for Seniors

Nutrition plays a critical role in healthy aging. A well-balanced diet supports immunity, brain function, energy levels, and helps manage chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis. However, many seniors find meal preparation difficult due to reduced mobility, medication side effects, or loss of appetite.

This is where meal delivery for seniors makes a huge difference. By providing ready-to-eat or heat-and-eat meals that are specifically designed for older adults, these services promote better health, reduce stress, and allow seniors to maintain independence in their own homes.

What to Look for in the Best Meal Delivery Services

When it comes to choosing the best food delivery services for seniors, a few key factors set exceptional providers apart:

1. Nutritionally Balanced Meals

The ideal service offers meals designed by dietitians or nutrition experts. Seniors often require specific diets — such as low-sodium, diabetic-friendly, or heart-healthy options — and having access to meals that meet these needs is essential.

2. Meal Variety and Taste

Seniors should enjoy mealtime, not just endure it. Services offering diverse menus and tasty, culturally inclusive dishes make the experience far more enjoyable and satisfying.

3. Ease of Use

The ordering process should be simple and accessible. Whether by phone, website, or app, seniors or their caregivers should find it easy to schedule deliveries, select meals, and track orders.

4. Affordability

Affordability is often a concern for older adults on fixed incomes. Many programs offer tiered pricing, discounts for seniors, or accept Medicaid and other forms of assistance to make meals more accessible.

Meal Delivery vs. Grocery Delivery for Seniors: Why Not Both?

While many seniors enjoy the simplicity of heat-and-eat meals, others still prefer cooking occasionally or preparing snacks. That’s where grocery delivery for seniors becomes a valuable complement to meal delivery services.

Instead of navigating crowded grocery stores or relying on others, seniors can have fresh produce, dairy, bread, and household essentials delivered to their home with ease. Some services, like Instacart, Shipt, or Walmart Grocery, even allow you to shop from multiple stores and have everything delivered the same day.

Here’s why pairing grocery delivery for seniors with meal services is so effective:

Flexibility: Seniors can enjoy fresh, prepared meals during the week and cook simple dishes on weekends.

Customization: Allows individuals to supplement their meal delivery with favorite snacks, beverages, or special diet items.

Reduced Physical Strain: No need to carry heavy bags or navigate transportation.

This combination approach ensures seniors get the best of both worlds — convenience and choice.

Benefits Beyond the Plate

The advantages of meal delivery for seniors extend far beyond nutrition. Here’s how it contributes to an improved quality of life:

1. Social Interaction

Many senior-focused delivery services include wellness checks with each delivery. A friendly face dropping off a meal can lift spirits and offer peace of mind for families.

2. Safety

Reduced cooking reduces the risk of burns, cuts, or kitchen accidents — a common concern for aging adults.

3. Routine and Structure

Receiving meals on a set schedule helps maintain healthy routines, encourages consistent eating habits, and prevents missed meals due to forgetfulness or fatigue.

4. Peace of Mind for Loved Ones

Family members and caregivers can feel reassured knowing their loved ones are eating well and receiving regular visits from delivery staff or volunteers.

Technology Making Meals More Accessible

Technology has played a key role in improving meal delivery for seniors. Whether it's voice-assisted ordering, easy-to-use apps, or automatic reorder features, the process has become more senior-friendly than ever before.

Many services now allow caregivers or family members to manage deliveries remotely, set up dietary preferences, and monitor meal consumption — making nutrition support easier and more efficient.

Meal Delivery for Seniors: Independence Served Fresh

More than just a modern convenience, meal delivery for seniors is a cornerstone of aging with dignity and independence. It empowers older adults to remain at home longer, eat better, and feel more confident in their daily routine.

For those searching for food delivery near me, or aiming to supplement their meals with grocery delivery for seniors, today’s services offer a variety of options to match individual tastes, health needs, and budgets.

Conclusion: Bringing Comfort to the Table

Enjoying nutritious and delicious meals at home is something everyone deserves — especially older adults who’ve spent a lifetime providing for others. With the availability of the best food delivery services and dependable grocery delivery for seniors, it’s easier than ever to ensure mealtime is no longer a challenge, but a comfort.

Whether it’s a daily dinner delivered warm to the door or a week’s worth of groceries selected with care, today’s solutions are bringing health, happiness, and flavor back to the tables of seniors everywhere.

[marta-bee]

News of the Day 4/15/25: Assuming Good Faith

Original source.

The way FEMA works, it starts covering 100% of the clean-up and reconstruction work after major natural disasters for a set period of time, then does less after I think three months unless you get an extension. NC just applied for a second one and got denied. FEMA will still cover some costs, actually a lot, but not 100%. A second extension would have been rare, but so was the damage caused and the fact it affected the mountains where construction's much more difficult in the winter. I do think it would have been warranted, but if we were operating under a standard old-style Republican president I can see them coming to a different conclusion.

Still. In normal times it's the kind of thing you could maybe disagree with the govt on but also understood things usually played out along similar lines.

Which is precisely the problem: Trump & Co. are trying to eliminate FEMA. And it's not at all clear if they just mean the bureaucracy (cut a check to the states affected and let them run it themselves), or if he just wants to throw states to the wolves and not be responsible for people unlucky enough to have a hurricane land on them. (You can guess my position, but I'm not being objective.) The point being, in the past you could assume the government had been fair and reasonable, maybe wrong but at least not looking for a reason to deny you emergency funding you needed. Now, you'd be naive to assume they were acting in good faith.

Which, to be clear, isn't just about FEMA, and that's a big problem, too.

More discussion about FEMA, extreme weather, and disaster and humanitarian relief both here and abroad (think USAID), below the cut.

The Fight Against FEMA

Trump Wants to Shutter FEMA. Can States Fill Its Shoes? (X)

FEMA denies disaster relief for bomb cyclone; WA to appeal (X)

Musk Targeted FEMA. Storm-Battered Communities Are Paying a Price. (X)

Trump administration ends key grant program that helps communities prepare for disasters

FEMA set for elimination, Noem says, amid bipartisan House reform proposal. The disaster response and recovery agency has been repeatedly criticized by President Donald Trump. (X)

Pushbacks Against NOAA and other drives to predict and address extreme weather

Layoffs at NOAA suggest Trump may want to eliminate the agency.

AP details hollowed-out National Weather Service offices that experts say risk lives

President Donald Trump’s administration is seeking to end nearly all of the climate research conducted by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency (NOAA), one of the country’s premier climate science agencies, according to an internal budget document seen by Science.

In an order dated April 8, the president directed Atty. Gen. Pam Bondi to identify and “stop the enforcement of” state laws that address climate change and other environmental initiatives. (X)

National Weather Service no longer translating products for non-English speakers (X)

Trump's Cuts to Weather Agency Stoke Farmer, Insurance Worries (X)

Glacier meltdown risks food and water supply of 2 billion people, says UN

Almost 40 percent of Americans report facing extreme weather: Survey

Other Stories of Not Helping Fellow Americans in the name of cost-cutting

“Too Stupid for Words”: Trump pulls back 20 semi trucks of food from Cleveland’s food bank (X)

Veterans respond to VA budget cuts.

How DOGE-linked cutbacks at the VA are impacting its ability to provide mental health treatment for veterans. (X)

Entire Staff Is Fired at Office That Helps Poorer Americans Pay for Heating. The move threatens to paralyze the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which helps to offset high utility bills for roughly 6.2 million people nationwide. (X)

Trump administration eviscerates maternal and child health programs. Alarm over ‘the health of the nation’s children’ follows federal workforce cuts by health secretary RFK Jr

Finally, Chris Hayes discusses a project I didn't even know about but sure wish was still funded because it sounds adorable and like such a good experience for those kids. Also because the amounts required for it really do seem like small potatoes. Surely we're not all this broke?

USAID and Not Helping Not-Americans

After months of cuts, State Department says it's officially shuttering USAID (X)

USAID Cuts: New Estimates at the Country Level (X)

White House proposes drastic cuts to State Department and funding for UN, NATO and other groups. USAID is newly moved to the state department and would likely be heavily affected.

I Am A USAID Worker Who Lost My Job. Here's What Trump And Musk Aren't Telling You About The Cuts. "By eviscerating USAID, Trump and Elon Musk are redefining what it means to be American." (X)

Federal judge rules Musk's role in USAID closure was likely unconstitutional. (X)

Trump Official Who Oversaw Closure of USAID Has Left State Department (X)

America’s Absence in Myanmar’s Early Earthquake Response: A Moral and Strategic Failure (X)

Global AIDS program teetering after Trump admin’s shock-and-awe (X)

‘It’s back to drug rationing’: the end of HIV was in sight. Then came the cuts

The US ends lifesaving food aid for millions. The World Food Program calls it a ‘death sentence’

Trump appointee Pete Marocco hands control of USAID to DOGE official (X)

Why Gutting USAID Will Hurt America (VIDEO)

And just in case you're wondering if it's all worthwhile:

Musk admits that DOGE may only cut 15 percent of its stated $1 trillion goal - and even that figure may be high (X)

[fmaynor2000]

As the heat keeps rising, Trump fires the people helping Americans afford AC