Federal Agency Fires Staff, Guts $378 Million In Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Funding; PA Says It Has Funding To Finish Current Season; Next Year In Doubt

 Utility Dive and the Associated Press report the federal Department of Health and Human Services fired all the staff implementing the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and may not be able to distribute the last $378 million for this season to states that administer the program. 

In a press release April 3, Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh said despite news of federal staffing cuts to the office that oversees LIHEAP, there are currently no changes to this season’s program in Pennsylvania because DHS has adequate funding to continue the current season ending April 18, 

While this season is not expected to be impacted, continued federal funding and support are critical to DHS’ ability to provide uninterrupted assistance for Pennsylvanians during the next winter season.

The LIHEAP Program is vital for over 300,000 Pennsylvania families and is especially critical for older adults and low-income families so they can safely heat their homes during the colder months. 

[The LIHEAP Program is supported by electric and natural gas utilities, heating oil and propane distributors in Pennsylvania that supply home heating energy.]

Click Here for the Pennsylvania announcement.

NewsClips:

-- Utility Dive: President Guts $378 Million In Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Funding To States Already Approved By Congress 

-- AP: Federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program Staff Fired

[Posted: April 4, 2025]  PA Environment Digest