LIHEAP Funding Increased to $4.045 Billion in Senate Appropriations Bill
The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services Committee marked up its version of the FY 26 appropriations bill and it not only maintained funding for LIHEAP but increased it by $20 million to $4.045 billion, according to an appropriations update issued today by the National Energy Assistance Directors Association.
“The Senate is clearly rejecting the President’s budget to zero out LIHEAP for FY 26,” NEADA said in its update, which also reported:
“The bill… includes language to ensure LIHEAP receives 90 percent of its funding at the beginning of the year so that states have sufficient funds to start their programs and support households that need assistance in winter months.”
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“This is only the first step of the process,” NEADA noted in its update. “The full Senate still has to vote. The House will propose its own funding level for LIHEAP, which is not scheduled until September. But it’s an excellent first step.”
NEADA also noted, “There is a lot to be concerned about in the next few months. It is unlikely Congress will pass a final budget for LIHEAP before the end of September. We will likely be under a continuing resolution for some period of time. There may also be delays in releasing funds. So we have a lot of work ahead.” The association said it considered today “an important step in protecting LIHEAP”.
