Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program funds help 6.2 million low-income households and seniors on fixed incomes afford their energy bills
WASHINGTON – As temperatures begin to drop – with snow on the forecast across Northern Arizona next week – Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and a bipartisan group of 31 Senators called on the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to release funds for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) as swiftly and at the highest level possible. Currently, $4 billion in federal LIHEAP dollars have yet to be distributed for this fiscal year.
“As Congress works to finalize the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations bill for the Department of Health and Human Services, we urge you to immediately release the highest amount of Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funding available under the Continuing Resolution,” the Senators wrote.
“As state agencies and tribes activate their LIHEAP programs for the coming winter, it is crucial that they have the resources on hand to help low-income households and seniors as soon as possible. As such, we request that you quickly release LIHEAP funds at the highest level possible, so that low-income households do not have to choose between paying for heat and affording other necessities like food or medicine. We look forward to working with you on this critical program and thank you for your attention to our concerns and those of our constituents,” the Senators concluded.
According to a new forecast from the National Energy Assistance Directors Association, home heating costs are estimated to rise nearly 8 percent over last winter on average, with costs for heating with electricity forecasted to increase even higher – to 10 percent above last year. Nationwide, an estimated 6.2 million households received assistance with heating and cooling costs through LIHEAP over the last year. In Arizona, households received $30.59 million in FY2025 LIHEAP funding.
States and tribes typically receive their LIHEAP allocations from HHS by early November. Eligibility for LIHEAP is based on income, family size, and the availability of resources. While eligibility varies by state, most applicants must have a household income below 150 percent of the federal poverty guideline or 60 percent of the state median income. LIHEAP applications are now open for all income-eligible households. Senior citizens and those receiving Social Security Disability or SSI benefits are encouraged to apply as early as possible, but applications will be open to everyone through spring of 2026 — or until the funding is exhausted. Arizona’s state agency can be found here.
Read the full letter HERE.
Senator Gallego has been a leading advocate for LIHEAP and protecting families from rising energy costs. Earlier this year, he pushed to defend the program after the Trump administration abruptly terminated all employees in the LIHEAP program office earlier this year. In May, he introduced the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Parity Act to ensure that hot-weather states like Arizona receive their fair share of federal home energy assistance, an effort he led as a member of the House.
11/14/25