LIHEAP prioritizes households with the lowest incomes and the highest energy burdens, including seniors, people with disabilities, and families with young children. Without this support, many families would face impossible choices between paying utility bills and meeting basic needs like food or medicine (the "heat or eat" phenomenon). Federal investment is essential as energy costs continue to rise, placing a higher burden on low-income families.  

For Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27), the President's budget proposal seeks to eliminate LIHEAP.  The House Appropriations Committee has advanced a spending bill that rejects this cut and instead increases funding to $4.055 billion, representing a $10 million increase over the FY26 enacted level.

Ask your Member of Congress to at least maintain the enacted funding levels for LIHEAP in FY27 Labor, Health, Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill.