AGA Applauds Release of Remaining LIHEAP Funds
The American Gas Association applauded the release of over $400 million in regular block grant funds for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) following Wednesday’s announcement from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families. The release of funds on Wednesday and Thursday makes up the remaining block grant funding for the program for Fiscal Year 2025.
“Support for the LIHEAP program is squarely in line with our industry and this Administration’s priorities to make energy affordable for American families and businesses,” said AGA President and CEO Karen Harbert. “LIHEAP is not an entitlement program. Congress makes the choice to fund it every year to help low income and vulnerable American families pay their utility bills, avoid shutoffs, and make changes to improve their home’s efficiency to lower their bills in the long term. AGA looks forward to continuing to work with the Administration and Congress to ensure a strong and efficient LIHEAP program this year and into the future.”
In a press release from the administration, Acting Assistant Secretary for Children and Families Andrew Gradison stated, “I am committed to ensuring that our programs run efficiently. With today’s announcement, all available LIHEAP funding for this fiscal year will be released. We will continue to work with our state, tribal, and territorial partners to ensure this funding reaches eligible families.”
The LIHEAP program is a federal block grant program that provides financial assistance to low and fixed-income individuals for fuel and utility bills, as well as low-cost weatherization and energy-related home repairs. The average limited-income household’s energy burden is three times that of other households. For families with annual incomes of less than $35,000, more than half reported they reduced or went without medicine or food at least once in the previous 12 months to pay an energy bill.
By the Numbers:
- LIHEAP restored power or prevented disconnection 2,757,200 times in FY 2023.
- In FY 2023, 60,818 homes were weatherized with LIHEAP funds, improving those households’ health, safety and affordability.
- LIHEAP keeps people safe and helps families avoid dangerous heating practices. Three out of 10 LIHEAP households include a person vulnerable to temperature extremes because of age or disability.
- 34,000 children were lifted out of poverty because of energy assistance in 2023.
- 68,000 people at the of 65 or older were lifted out of poverty because of energy assistance in 2023.