WASHINGTON, DC – With colder weather around the corner and Congress continuing its work on appropriations bills, U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today welcomed the Biden-Harris Administration’s release of $3.71 billion for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).  This federal funding will allow states to provide funds to support income eligible households with utility costs.

LIHEAP is a crucial lifeline that helps low-income households and seniors on fixed incomes afford their energy bills, including those who use natural gas, propane, electricity, and home heating oil. 

Earlier this month, Reed, Collins and Murkowski led a bipartisan call for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to release LIHEAP funds as swiftly and at the highest level possible.

“This federal funding will help keep vulnerable Rhode Islanders safe and healthy through targeted initiatives that lower utility bills.  It will ease the energy cost burden for low-income residents, who pay a higher proportion of household income to heat their homes when cold winter weather hits.  Nobody should have to choose between affording needed medication or having their heat turned off.  LIHEAP is a real lifeline that has proven to make a real positive difference for so many Rhode Islanders,” said Senator Reed.

“With home energy costs remaining high, this federal funding will help to ensure that Mainers have access to affordable heating as we approach the cold winter months,” said Senator Collins. “LIHEAP funding provides critical relief to low-income families and older Mainers, helping them stay warm without the constant worry of choosing between heating their homes and covering other basic necessities.”

“Alaskans face some of the highest home heating costs in the nation.  LIHEAP—as the main federal program that helps low-income households and seniors pay their energy bills—makes a crucial difference in determining whether or not Alaskans can stay warm in the winter and afford food, medicine, and other necessities,” said Senator Murkowski. “In my role as a senior appropriator, I champion LIHEAP funding each year.  So, as it’s snowing in Anchorage and freeze up is just around the corner for many of our communities, I’m pleased to announce that the Administration has released LIHEAP funds and look forward to the benefits it will provide for Alaskan families.”

Reed, Collins and Murkowski helped provide a total of $4.1 billion for LIHEAP in fiscal year 2024, with $4 billion through appropriations and $100 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds.

Under the short-term “continuing resolution” funding package that President Biden signed into law in September, HHS is able to advance states’ funding equal to 90 percent of their FY24 allocation.

Nationwide, an estimated 5.1 million households received assistance with heating and cooling costs through LIHEAP in the last fiscal year.

Older Americans on fixed incomes and those receiving Social Security Disability or SSI benefits are encouraged to apply as early as possible, but applications will be open to everyone through spring of 2025 -- or until the funding is exhausted.