I'll post it again, along with NG prices hitting three year highs, the only thing Chump is interested in cutting is heating assistance for the poor.
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) has been under persistent threat from the Trump Administration, which fired the entire LIHEAP program staff at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on April 1, 2025 and proposed eliminating funding for the program in fiscal year 2026.
After a delay in funding due to the government shutdown, HHS released $3.6 billion in regular LIHEAP funds and $100 million in funds from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) on November 28.
Even with the funds released, there are still challenges facing the program. Federal LIHEAP staff have not been re-hired. States are expected to run their programs with no federal training or guidance, and without HHS staff, the potential remains for future delays in funding. Heating costs are expected to soar this winter as consumers face new rounds of rate increases. We estimate that home heating costs will be up 7.6% this winter. Families may be forced to choose between energy and food, medicine, or other necessities. Rate increases are expected to hit families hard this winter, and if LIHEAP funds are delayed, the number of arrearages across the country could increase dramatically.
Despite the Administration’s opposition, LIHEAP has strong bipartisan support in Congress. The final funding level is still undetermined as the budget for FY26 still has not been agreed upon in Congress. One promising sign: in July 2025, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved $4.045 billion for LIHEAP, $20 million more than was provided in FY 25, and the House Appropriations Committee approved $4.035 billion for LIHEAP, $10 million more than was provided in FY25. |
