The U.S. House of Representatives is considering a new bill that would modernize the Federal Poverty Line, which hasn't been substantially updated since the 1960s.

Many aid programs such as CalFresh, Head Start and Medi-Cal are pegged to the FPL - and raising the maximum people can make would help millions more low-income families qualify for aid.

Casey Peeks is a policy advisor with the Children's Defense Fund.

"We're trying to make sure that the families who are not able to put food on the table and can't afford child care are included in this definition of poverty," said Peeks, "so that they receive the support they need from the federal government."

The poverty line dictates who can and cannot get federal assistance. This bill would update the federal poverty line so that it more accurately reflects the cost of living.

That includes things such as housing, food, clothing, phone, internet, and health care. It also considers whether a family has children and is regionally adjusted to consider things like the cost of rent or child care.

Opponents say raising the FPL would greatly expand the social safety net, which would balloon the costs. Peeks admitted that the bill has little chance of passing the current 118th Congress.

"We also have to understand the realities of the House, which is currently Republican-controlled," said Peeks. "So even though I think I can say it is unlikely that we will see this signed into law, this is something that is important to put a stake in the ground so that people are thinking about these things."

Peeks added that California's relatively high minimum wage means some very low-income families may make a bit over the FPL - so they may not qualify for federal assistance, even though the cost of living is higher here than in many other states.


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La Niña is bringing a cooler, wetter winter to Oregon and likely driving up heating bills as systems work harder.

This is the third year of major price hikes for Pacific Power and Pacific Gas and Electric, with rates up by 40% from four years ago.

One report found nearly half of Americans struggle to pay their utility bills and last winter, a January ice storm and rate hikes saw power shut off for a record number of Oregon households due to lack of payment.

Jami Seymore, home energy expert for the Energy Trust of Oregon, said this winter, one way to save on energy bills is to lower the thermostat at night.

"Every degree you drop that thermostat, you can save about 3% on your energy bill," Seymore pointed out.

Seymore recommended setting the thermostat to around 67 degrees during the day and about 59 at night. If you have a heat pump, do not change the temperature more than a few degrees either way for maximum efficiency.

The most helpful way to save money is to keep the heat inside by insulating walls, attics and floors. Seymore noted filling in gaps around the home like door frames, windows and mail slots can save up to 20% on heating costs. She added Energy Trust of Oregon can help cut the costs of projects.

"Energy Trust offers higher incentives for people with lower to moderate incomes to be able to make some of those changes a little more affordable," Seymore emphasized.

One source of energy loss people may overlook is the air filter. Seymore recommends changing it about every three months, or every time the season changes.

"A dirty air filter, that actually slows all that airflow coming in," Seymore observed. "It's going to waste energy and it's going to cost you more money."

If you need help with utility bills, Seymour advised checking with your utility provider first, as most have assistance programs and payment plans. You can also apply for Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates, which offer assistance for installing high-efficiency electric appliances, along with insulation and air sealing measures.


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Temperatures are dropping in the Commonwealth and community action agencies said help is available for those struggling to pay their heating bills.

The federal Home Energy Assistance Program helps households making less than 60% of the state median income, which for a family of four is just under $95,000.

Liz Berube, executive director of the community action agency Citizens for Citizens, serving the Fall River and Taunton area, called the eligibility requirements very generous.

"These are clearly for people who work, or you were working and you're laid off, you're on worker's comp, people who slip through the cracks," Berube outlined. "This could be the program for you."

Berube pointed out the website HeatingHelpMA.org has information on heating and other energy savings programs, as well as a link to an online application portal.

The Department of Public Utilities recently approved natural gas rate hikes for National Grid and Eversource customers. Monthly bills could increase from 11% to 30%.

Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, said she is already hearing from her constituents in the Second Essex District, wondering how they will make it through the winter.

"Every single day, the biggest call to our office is housing insecurity and how am I going to heat my home," Lovely reported. "How am I going to be able to stay in my home?"

Lovely is grateful for the federal, state and local partnerships making the heating aid program possible.

Joe Diamond, executive director of the Massachusetts Association for Community Action, a coalition of more than twenty community action agencies helping families apply for needed services, said keeping people warm is about more than lowering energy bills.

"It is a health program. It's a safety program. It's a housing preservation program," Diamond explained. "It is also a program that allows people to access other programs."

Diamond noted if households qualify for heating help, they automatically qualify for weatherization programs, which can include new insulation, appliances or heating systems. Public safety officials stressed the programs save both money and lives. They emphasized well-maintained heating equipment is much less likely to cause fire or carbon monoxide poisoning.


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The Save the Children Action Network is asking Iowans to support candidates in the upcoming election who invest time and political muscle in solving children's issues.

Paige Chickering, Iowa state manager for the Save the Children Action Network, is reminding voters about the importance of early education, high-quality affordable child care and school meals for kids. She noted a growing percentage of them are hungry and their families rely on some form of government help.

"In Iowa specifically, USDA data show that about 40% of SNAP beneficiaries -- and that's the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program -- are children," Chickering explained. "About one in six children, 15.4%, face hunger in Iowa, according to a Feeding America study."

Chickering pointed out the Save the Children Action Network has endorsed a slate of bipartisan candidates in statewide races who have adopted strong positions on children's issues, including taking on hunger in Iowa.

Chickering highlighted a Ready Nation study shows the critical shortage of child care options in Iowa is costing the state at least $1.2 billion in parents' lost wages and productivity every year. She added helping kids should not be up for debate.

"The issue of prioritizing children in Iowa is a really, truly bipartisan issue," Chickering asserted. "It's been really clear from all the people that we've worked with, our volunteers, everyone we've spoken with, that this is something that everyone is prioritizing."

The action network is also calling on Iowa politicians to approve the summer "Sun Bucks" program in 2025, which would make food available to lower-income families when kids are out of school for the summer. Iowa opted out of the program this year.