$3.6 billion in long-awaited federal heating aid has been released to states and tribes

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Nearly $3.6 billion in deferred funding for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, was released Friday for states and tribes, according to the National Association of Energy Assistance Administrators.

Federal funding for the LIHEAP program, which helps millions of low-income families pay for heating and cooling their homes, was suspended through the start of the cold weather season due to the federal government shutdown, which ended on November 12.

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“This release of LIHEAP funding is essential and long overdue,” NEADA Executive Director Mark Wolfe said in a statement. “Families can finally start receiving the support they need to keep warm as winter sets in.”

States usually receive their allocations at the beginning of November.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees the aid program, has not yet made a formal public announcement about resuming funding. After the federal shutdown ended, the Department of Health and Human Services said one of its agencies would “work quickly to administer the annual awards,” blaming the delay on Democrats in Congress.

Wolf said state agencies told his organization they had received award letters from the Department of Health and Human Services, enabling them to begin distributing assistance to families.

A message was left seeking comment from HHS.

On Monday, a bipartisan group of US House members sent a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy. Kennedy Jr. to urge the release of LIHEAP funds by November 30th. Since the heating season has already begun in many parts of the United States, they said, “there’s no time to lose,” especially for households who use home heating oil or propane. These fuels are typically not affected by state moratoriums on facility closures during the winter months.

Approximately 68% of LIHEAP households also receive SNAP food benefits. Delays in both programs during the shutdown “put many families in a more precarious situation than usual,” Wolf said. While Friday’s funding announcement is welcome news, he said the need for assistance “remains enormous,” especially given rising energy prices. He pointed out that arrears are still close to record levels.