In brief
After a delay due to the federal government shutdown, approximately $3.6 billion in funding for LIHEAP has been released, providing essential heating assistance to low-income households. This move comes as winter sets in, with advocates emphasizing the urgent need for support amidst rising energy prices.
HARTFORD, Conn. (RTW News) — Approximately $3.6 billion in delayed funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) was released to states and tribes last Friday, marking a significant step in supporting low-income households during the cold winter months. The National Energy Assistance Directors Association confirmed the funding release had been held up due to a federal government shutdown that concluded on November 12.Mark Wolfe, executive director of the National Energy Assistance Directors Association, stated, “This release of LIHEAP funding is essential and long overdue. Families can finally begin receiving the support they need to keep the heat on as winter begins.” Typically, states receive their LIHEAP allocations at the start of November, but delays left many families without essential resources at a critical time.While the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has yet to issue a formal announcement regarding the resumption of the funding, they indicated that they would work swiftly to administer the annual awards, attributing the delays to congressional negotiations.After the funding release, state agencies notified organizations that they had received award letters from HHS, enabling them to start distributing assistance to households in need. As winter approaches, a bipartisan group of U.S. House members urged HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to expedite the LIHEAP funds, highlighting the urgency of assistance for families relying on heating oil or propane, which are not shielded by state moratoriums on utility shutoffs.Despite the positive news regarding LIHEAP funding, Wolfe highlighted that approximately 68% of LIHEAP households also receive SNAP food benefits, and delays in both areas have left many families in a precarious financial position. With rising energy prices, the need for assistance remains critical, particularly as many households are already facing arrearages near record highs.
