Obama proposes heating aid cut

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - President Obama has proposed to cut the $5.1 billion home heating aid program in half, which is angering many Northeast Democrats.

Even one of the President's most loyal supporters, Sen. John Kerry, complained in a recent letter to him about this.

But the President defended this cut, among others, as "painful" but necessary, in an effort to help reduce the budget deficit.

According to lawmakers, these cuts could affect more than 3 million families nationwide.

In Springfield, The New England Farm Workers' Council is just one of the many organizations that would see the effects of this cut--first-hand. Lisa Gilhooly of the New England Farm Workers' Council told 22news, "With a cut like that, what's going to end up happening, it's really going to be a case of 'get your application in right away, because we will run out of money.' There's no doubt about it."

Gilhooly also told 22News that most companies will not deliver less than 100 gallons of oil, which only adds to the hardship.

On average, it can easily cost up to $2,600 to heat a home during a New England winter.

The number of households needing help paying energy bills this year is expected to hit a record high for the third straight year.