Low-income families across Gallatin and adjacent counties face losing heating benefits

BOZEMAN — Winter is coming, and that means it’s time to turn the heat up. But for some families, that might be harder this year.

“People could lose their utilities and then have to pay a deposit to get them turned back on, and then they’re further behind,” said Heather Grenier, CEO of HRDC.

Grenier says the government shutdown is impacting energy bills for low-income families.

“There’s no funding to actually fund the benefits at the federal level,” said Grenier.

Winter is coming, but heating assistance isn't available for Montana families due to the government shutdown Government shutdown leaves Montana families without heating assistance as winter approaches

Those benefits are known as the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, also called LIHEAP, which is a federally funded