$3.6B federal heating aid released to states, tribes
The Department of Health and Human Services released $3.6 billion in LIHEAP heating assistance to states and tribes to help families pay to heat their homes, a move NEADA executive director Mark Wolfe called "essential and long overdue." HHS had not yet issued a formal announcement when NEADA confirmed the release; a bipartisan group of House members had urged the funds be released by Nov. 30 amid NEADA projections that winter heating costs will rise about 10.5% (electricity +13.6%/~$1,208, propane +7.3%/~$1,442, natural gas +7.2%/~$644) and noting that roughly 68% of LIHEAP households also receive SNAP, with shutdown-related delays increasing hardship.
📌 Key Facts
- NEADA confirmed that $3.6 billion in LIHEAP heating aid was released to states; HHS had not issued a formal public announcement at the time of reporting.
- NEADA executive director Mark Wolfe called the release “essential and long overdue.”
- A bipartisan group of U.S. House members sent a letter urging HHS to release LIHEAP funds by Nov. 30.
- NEADA’s August 2024 report projects winter heating costs will rise on average 10.5% — electricity +13.6% (about $1,208), propane +7.3% (about $1,442), and natural gas +7.2% (about $644).
- About 68% of LIHEAP households also receive SNAP; delays in both programs during the shutdown increased hardship for affected families.
📊 Relevant Data
In FY2024, LIHEAP provided heating assistance to 5,028,871 households nationally.
LIHEAP FY2024 National Profile — LIHEAP Performance Management
More than 90% of LIHEAP recipient households have at least one vulnerable person, including 40.89% with an elderly member over 60, 37.75% with a disabled member, and 16.09% with a child under 6.
United States by the Numbers — NEUAC
Low-income households spend 8.1% of their income on energy costs on average, which is three times more than non-low-income households at 2.3%.
Report: Low-Income Households, Communities of Color Face High “Energy Burden” — ACEEE
Black households spend 43% more of their income on energy costs compared to non-Hispanic white households, Hispanic households spend 20% more, and Native American households spend 45% more.
Report: Low-Income Households, Communities of Color Face High “Energy Burden” — ACEEE
Racial disparities in energy burden are associated with factors such as lower income, inefficient housing, older building age, lower homeownership rates, and historical housing segregation.
Racial disparities in the energy burden beyond socio-economic inequality — ScienceDirect
📰 Sources (2)
- NEADA’s executive director Mark Wolfe called the release "essential and long overdue."
- HHS had not yet issued a formal public announcement at the time of reporting, despite NEADA confirming the release.
- A bipartisan group of U.S. House members urged HHS to release LIHEAP funds by Nov. 30 in a letter sent Monday.
- Context: NEADA’s August 2024 report projects winter heating costs will rise on average 10.5%, including electricity +13.6% (~$1,208), propane +7.3% (~$1,442), and natural gas +7.2% (~$644).
- About 68% of LIHEAP households also receive SNAP; delays in both programs during the shutdown increased hardship.