Funding for low-income energy assistance program passes Congress

WASHINGTON - The American Gas Association (AGA) applauded passage of funding for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) on Tuesday, providing the program with a $20 million increase in funding from current levels. This is the first funding increase the LIHEAP program has received since FY2024 and comes as affordability takes center stage in the national conversation.

"Natural gas remains the most affordable way to heat your home this winter, but despite its relative affordability, vulnerable families and individuals may struggle to keep up, especially as temperatures drop," said AGA President and CEO Karen Harbert. "Programs like LIHEAP protect customers in need, helping to lower the burden on low-income families by enabling improvements to home energy efficiency, replacement or repair of broken heating equipment and assistance with energy bills."

"We would like to recognize our LIHEAP champions for vocalizing the importance of the LIHEAP program throughout the appropriations process, including Reps. Andrew Garbarino (R-NY), Mike Veasey (D-TX), Jack Bergman (R-MI), and Jim McGovern (D-MA) and Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Jack Reed (D-RI) and Susan Collins (R-ME)," continued Harbert.

In addition to increasing funding for the LIHEAP program, language was included in the minibus appropriations package to ensure the Administration for Children and Families Office of Community Services has the resources necessary to work with states to distribute LIHEAP funding to state heating and cooling assistance programs in a timely and accurate manner. The language also includes additional provisions to safeguard against delays in releasing funds or reimbursing LIHEAP grantees through the Payment Management System.

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. Nearly 6 million households across the U.S. received assistance from LIHEAP in 2024, helping to lift 57,000 children and 78,000 seniors out of poverty according to the National Energy and Utility Affordability Coalition. Nearly 50,000 homes were weatherized using LIHEAP funds in 2024, making them safer and more energy efficient and helping to lower future energy bills.

Find out more about how LIHEAP is helping customers here. A state-by-state resource directory created as a joint effort between the American Gas Association and the National Energy and Utility Affordability Coalition is also available to help customers find programs that may be available to them.