The House Subcommittee on Labor/HHS/Education Appropriations approved their funding bill for FY 2023. The bill increases funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) from $3.8 billion in FY 2022 to $4 billion for FY 2023. These additional funds will help states address rising home energy costs, which are expected to remain high into next winter’s home heating season. The bill did not include funding for the Low Income Home Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP).
Based on NEADA’s analysis of data from the US Energy Information Administration, home energy prices are projected to continue to increase this winter to an average of $1,123 from $1,025 last winter and $888 during the winter heating season of 2020-21. Of specific concern, as compared to the winter heating season of 2020-21, heating oil prices are projected to be about 63% higher and natural gas prices are expected to be 44% higher.
While the increased funding for LIHEAP is great news – we still have a long way to go before a final bill is approved. NEADA will continue to support funding for LIHWAP in the Senate version of the bill.
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