![stamford advocate | N Gerard](https://ifp.nyu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/1-121-1024x686.jpg)
stamford advocate | N Gerard
“What we’re hearing out there is that the need is great,” said state Sen. Matt Lesser, D-Middletown, co-chairman of the legislative Human Services Committee. “Due to a shortfall in federal funding — federal funding has returned to pre-pandemic levels — but the need out there has not. There are families out there who are trying to get through the entire winter on only $180 in heating assistance. It is 21 degrees outside in Hartford today, and $180 just does not go very far in terms of buying heating oil or other heating sources.”