$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.
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📊 Relevant Data
In FY2024, LIHEAP provided heating assistance to 5,028,871 households nationally. ([LIHEAP Performance Management](https://liheappm.acf.gov/sites/default/files/private/congress/profiles/2024/FY2024_AllStates%28National%29_Profile.pdf)) ([LIHEAP Performance Management](https://liheappm.acf.gov/sites/default/files/private/congress/profiles/2024/FY2024_AllStates%28National%29_Profile.pdf)) ([LIHEAP Performance Management](https://liheappm.acf.gov/sites/default/files/private/congress/profiles/2024/FY2024_AllStates%28National%29_Profile.pdf)) ([LIHEAP Performance Management](https://liheappm.acf.gov/sites/default/files/private/congress/profiles/2024/FY2024_AllStates%28National%29_Profile.pdf)) ([LIHEAP Performance Management](https://liheappm.acf.gov/sites/default/files/private/congress/profiles/2024/FY2024_AllStates%28National%29_Profile.pdf)) ([LIHEAP Performance Management](https://liheappm.acf.gov/sites/default/files/private/congress/profiles/2024/FY2024_AllStates%28National%29_Profile.pdf)) ([LIHEAP Performance Management](https://liheappm.acf.gov/sites/default/files/private/congress/profiles/2024/FY2024_AllStates%28National%29_Profile.pdf)) ([LIHEAP Performance Management](https://liheappm.acf.gov/sites/default/files/private/congress/profiles/2024/FY2024_AllStates%28National%29_Profile.pdf)) ([LIHEAP Performance Management](https://liheappm.acf.gov/sites/default/files/private/congress/profiles/2024/FY2024_AllStates%28National%29_Profile.pdf)) ([LIHEAP Performance Management](https://liheappm.acf.gov/sites/default/files/private/congress/profiles/2024/FY2024_AllStates%28National%29_Profile.pdf))
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. ([NEUAC](https://neuac.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/All-State-Sheets-FY2024.pdf)) ([NEUAC](https://neuac.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/All-State-Sheets-FY2024.pdf)) ([NEUAC](https://neuac.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/All-State-Sheets-FY2024.pdf)) ([NEUAC](https://neuac.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/All-State-Sheets-FY2024.pdf)) ([NEUAC](https://neuac.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/All-State-Sheets-FY2024.pdf)) ([NEUAC](https://neuac.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/All-State-Sheets-FY2024.pdf)) ([NEUAC](https://neuac.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/All-State-Sheets-FY2024.pdf)) ([NEUAC](https://neuac.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/All-State-Sheets-FY2024.pdf)) ([NEUAC](https://neuac.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/All-State-Sheets-FY2024.pdf)) ([NEUAC](https://neuac.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/All-State-Sheets-FY2024.pdf))
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%. ([ACEEE](https://www.aceee.org/press-release/2020/09/report-low-income-households-communities-color-face-high-energy-burden)) ([ACEEE](https://www.aceee.org/press-release/2020/09/report-low-income-households-communities-color-face-high-energy-burden)) ([ACEEE](https://www.aceee.org/press-release/2020/09/report-low-income-households-communities-color-face-high-energy-burden)) ([ACEEE](https://www.aceee.org/press-release/2020/09/report-low-income-households-communities-color-face-high-energy-burden)) ([ACEEE](https://www.aceee.org/press-release/2020/09/report-low-income-households-communities-color-face-high-energy-burden)) ([ACEEE](https://www.aceee.org/press-release/2020/09/report-low-income-households-communities-color-face-high-energy-burden)) ([ACEEE](https://www.aceee.org/press-release/2020/09/report-low-income-households-communities-color-face-high-energy-burden)) ([ACEEE](https://www.aceee.org/press-release/2020/09/report-low-income-households-communities-color-face-high-energy-burden)) ([ACEEE](https://www.aceee.org/press-release/2020/09/report-low-income-households-communities-color-face-high-energy-burden)) ([ACEEE](https://www.aceee.org/press-release/2020/09/report-low-income-households-communities-color-face-high-energy-burden))
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. ([ACEEE](https://www.aceee.org/press-release/2020/09/report-low-income-households-communities-color-face-high-energy-burden)) ([ACEEE](https://www.aceee.org/press-release/2020/09/report-low-income-households-communities-color-face-high-energy-burden)) ([ACEEE](https://www.aceee.org/press-release/2020/09/report-low-income-households-communities-color-face-high-energy-burden)) ([ACEEE](https://www.aceee.org/press-release/2020/09/report-low-income-households-communities-color-face-high-energy-burden)) ([ACEEE](https://www.aceee.org/press-release/2020/09/report-low-income-households-communities-color-face-high-energy-burden)) ([ACEEE](https://www.aceee.org/press-release/2020/09/report-low-income-households-communities-color-face-high-energy-burden)) ([ACEEE](https://www.aceee.org/press-release/2020/09/report-low-income-households-communities-color-face-high-energy-burden)) ([ACEEE](https://www.aceee.org/press-release/2020/09/report-low-income-households-communities-color-face-high-energy-burden)) ([ACEEE](https://www.aceee.org/press-release/2020/09/report-low-income-households-communities-color-face-high-energy-burden)) ([ACEEE](https://www.aceee.org/press-release/2020/09/report-low-income-households-communities-color-face-high-energy-burden))
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. ([ScienceDirect](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0140988323005960)) ([ScienceDirect](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0140988323005960)) ([ScienceDirect](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0140988323005960)) ([ScienceDirect](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0140988323005960)) ([ScienceDirect](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0140988323005960)) ([ScienceDirect](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0140988323005960)) ([ScienceDirect](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0140988323005960)) ([ScienceDirect](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0140988323005960)) ([ScienceDirect](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0140988323005960)) ([ScienceDirect](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0140988323005960))
Racial disparities in the energy burden beyond socio-economic inequality — ScienceDirect
📌 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.
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- 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.