Yesterday, NEADA sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Schumer, Senate Minority Leader McConnell, House Speaker Pelosi, and House Minority Leader McCarthy calling on Congress to provide an additional $5 billion through budget reconciliation for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The $5 billion would include $2.5 billion to address the expected increase in home heating prices, $1.5 billion to address ongoing arrearages, and $1 billion to cover the cost of additional cooling measures this summer.
This request is in addition to the $3.9 billion proposed by the Senate yesterday, an increase of $175 million from last year. This level of funding is not sufficient to address the increased cost of heating fuel this winter, nor will it allow states to address the growing cooling needs as a result of climate change.
Currently, the federal government is operating under a Continuing Resolution through December 3, 2021, based on 2021 funding levels. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is expected to release 90% of these funds to states by the end of October.
NEADA will continue to provide updates on FFY 2022 funding as more information becomes available.