House Subcommittee Approves $4.035 Billion For LIHEAP in FY2026
The U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies voted last night [September 2] on its funding bill for fiscal year 2026, including $4.035 billion for LIHEAP (page 81), an increase of $10 million over FY 2025 funding levels. This is slightly lower than the Senate’s $4.045 billion. The National Energy Assistance Directors Association said in a statement that the similar funding levels in the House and Senate provide two important signals:
- Supporters of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program can be more confident that the program will get at least level funding, and likely a small increase, for FY 2026.
- This improves the chances of OMB approving the release of 90% of the funds at the start of the fiscal year, even if the government is funded under a short-term continuing resolution.
LIHEAP model plans were due Sept. 2, NEADA said. HHS has already approved plans from some states that submitted early, and the model plan approval process appeared to be “working smoothly,” the Association said. “The news yesterday alleviates our biggest concerns about funding for LIHEAP in FY2026,” the Association said in its statement. “While there is still uncertainty in the timing of funding approval and release, we are confident that LIHEAP will receive at least level funding, and likely a small increase, for next year.”
