Today President Trump signed into law the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to provide $2.2 trillion in emergency assistance in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill provides $900 million in much needed supplemental funding to LIHEAP to help low income families keep the lights on and their homes a safe temperature while they shelter in place. The funds are available through September 2021, allowing states the flexibility to assist families when they will need it the most – after utility shutoff suspensions are lifted and bills become due. The LIHEAP portion of the bill is on page 277 and reads as follows:
LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE
For an additional amount for ‘‘Low Income Home Energy Assistance’’, $900,000,000, to remain available through September 30, 2021, to prevent, prepare for, or respond to coronavirus, domestically or internationally, for making payments under subsection (b) of section 2602 of the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981 (42 U.S.C. 8621 et seq.): Provided, That of the amount provided under this heading in this Act, $225,000,000 shall be allocated as though the total appropriation for such payments for fiscal year 2020 was less than $1,975,000,000: Provided further, That section 2607(b)(2)(B) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 8626(b)(2)(B)) shall not apply to funds made available under this heading in this Act in fiscal year 2020: Provided further, That such amount is designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
