Yesterday, 42 Senators released a letter calling on Congress to provide the “highest level of funding possible” for LIHEAP for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022. The federal government has been funded since December under a continuing resolution (CR) that expires next Friday, February 18. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has released 90 percent of anticipated LIHEAP funding for FY 2022 funding, based on FY 2021 levels.
While energy prices appear to be finally stabilizing they are still very high as compared to last year at this time. With more than a month remaining in the heating season, we expect millions of families to still need help. In addition, if this summer is anything like last summer, households across the country will need funds for air conditioning.
There is a possibility of supplemental funds for FY 2022 but the details are still up in the air. Congress will likely need to pass another short-term CR next week to give them more time to finalize the full year appropriations.
We are also engaged in the discussion for adding funds to LIHWAP for FY 2022.
NEADA will keep you updated on funding for both programs as details emerge in the coming weeks.
