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Winter Relief Released: $3.6 Billion in LIHEAP Heating Aid Sent to States and Tribes

03:11 AM, 11/29/2025
Winter Relief Released: $3.6 Billion in LIHEAP Heating Aid Sent to States and Tribes

The federal government released about $3.6 billion in delayed LIHEAP funds to states and tribal governments, allowing agencies to begin distributing heating and cooling aid as winter starts. The money had been stalled by a government shutdown that ended Nov. 12, and HHS has not yet posted a formal announcement. Advocates warn demand remains high: roughly 68% of LIHEAP households also receive SNAP, energy prices are rising, and arrearages are near record levels. Lawmakers had urged a fast release, noting many families rely on heating fuels not covered by winter shutoff moratoriums.

$3.6 Billion in LIHEAP Funds Released to States and Tribal Governments

Roughly $3.6 billion in previously delayed funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) was released to states and tribal governments, the National Energy Assistance Directors Association said Friday. The funds had been held up at the start of the cold-weather season because of a federal government shutdown that ended on Nov. 12.

“This release of LIHEAP funding is essential and long overdue,” said Mark Wolfe, executive director of the National Energy Assistance Directors Association. “Families can finally begin receiving the support they need to keep the heat on as winter begins.”

States typically receive their LIHEAP allocations at the beginning of November. Officials say award letters from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have been delivered to state agencies, allowing them to begin distributing assistance to eligible households.

HHS has not issued a formal public announcement about the resumption of funding. After the shutdown ended, the agency said it would "work swiftly to administer annual awards," and had attributed some of the delay to actions by congressional Democrats.

A bipartisan group of U.S. House members had urged HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to release LIHEAP funds by Nov. 30, warning that many households — particularly those that rely on home heating oil or propane — face urgent needs. Those fuels are often excluded from state winter utility shutoff moratoriums, leaving some families particularly vulnerable.

Roughly 68% of LIHEAP recipient households also receive SNAP food benefits, officials said. Wolfe warned that delays in both programs during the shutdown "put many households in an even more precarious situation than usual." He added that the need for assistance remains substantial as energy prices rise and utility arrearages remain near record highs.

State agencies are now positioned to start issuing benefits to eligible families. Advocates and lawmakers emphasize that timely distribution is critical to prevent cold-weather hardships, especially for households using non-regulated heating fuels.

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