The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today released the $900 million in supplemental funding that was provided by the CARES Act in late March. States will be able to deploy these funds immediately as stop-gap funding to assist households affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
HHS Dear Colleague Letter
State/Territory Funding Table
Tribe Funding Table
State LIHEAP offices have been working furiously since the pandemic started to adapt their programs to the changing landscape including remote intake, revised income requirements, and other program changes. A full list of program changes can be found here.
While these funds will begin to address the crises many low income families are facing, the need for LIHEAP has grown exponentially since the CARES Act was passed. While utility shutoff moratoria have allowed households to keep their heat and air conditioning on during the crisis, the bills will come due once the moratoria end. NEADA recently estimated that LIHEAP needs an additional $4.3 billion to reach about 11.2 million households. This includes approximately 5.6 million newly laid-off workers, 2.8 million current LIHEAP customers who need additional assistance, and 2.8 million low-income elderly and medically vulnerable Americans who are sheltering in place to avoid transmission of the virus.
The $900 million released today will reduce the strain on LIHEAP offices that have been stretched thin as they continue to provide assistance to low-income families around the country. As these funds are deployed, NEADA will continue to make the case for additional supplemental funds to address the full scope of the crisis.