Update: ​LIHEAP Has Not Been Eliminated

LIHEAP could yet be saved. That’s the message, in so many words, from Mark Wolfe and Cass Lovejoy of the National Energy Assistance Directors Association. Wolfe and Lovejoy reported on the NEADA website today:

“We have received several calls this last week from friends in the community who have asked, ‘Did the “Big Beautiful Bill” kill LIHEAP?’  The answer is no! LIHEAP funding was not included as part of the bill. Funding for LIHEAP for FY 26 will be taken up by the House and Senate Appropriations Committees beginning later this month.

“What we do know is this – we are up against an administration that does not value the program and would like [to] kill it. President Trump’s budget for FY 2026 has proposed to zero out funding for LIHEAP.   You can read our response and analysis of his proposal here.  

“For the current program year, the Administration released all remaining 2025 LIHEAP funds to the states.  There will be a small reallotment before the end of the fiscal year.

“While the President has proposed to zero out funding for the program, it has strong bi-partisan support, and very strong support in the appropriations committee.  So, at this point we expect that LIHEAP will be funded for FY2026. However we do not know what the funding level will be. We urge you to reach out to your members of Congress and let them know how LIHEAP helps vulnerable families in your communities and the pain it will cause if they lose funding to help them pay their energy bills.”