As the summer heat approaches, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), is under increasing pressure to release nearly $400 million allocated by Congress for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). This funding is crucial for helping low-income families maintain their air conditioning during the sweltering months ahead. However, the funds remain in limbo following a controversial decision by the Trump administration to eliminate the Division of Energy Assistance (DEA) and dismiss its entire staff.
The LIHEAP program, which assists over 6 million households annually with their energy bills, is facing significant operational challenges after the mass firing of federal employees on April 1, 2025. This action has raised alarms among state officials and advocates who fear that the absence of experienced staff could jeopardize the distribution of funds essential for vulnerable families.
On April 15, 2025, the National Energy Assistance Directors Association (NEADA) plans to send a letter to Kennedy, urging him to reinstate the dismissed employees and ensure that the funds are released by May 1. This timeline is critical, as it would provide states with just 153 days to deploy the money before the fiscal year ends. Mark Wolfe, NEADA’s executive director, emphasized the urgency in a letter shared exclusively with the Guardian, stating, “The release of the remaining appropriated funds... would provide well overdue support for state programs.”
With the summer heat expected to be intense, the stakes are high. An estimated one in six households are currently behind on their energy bills, leaving millions at risk of having their utilities shut off. According to NEADA, the LIHEAP program is a vital component of the U.S. social safety net, which also includes food stamps and other income support programs that have faced cuts under the Trump administration.
LIHEAP was allocated $4.1 billion for fiscal year 2024, a level of funding that Congress has maintained for 2025. However, only about 90% of these funds have been released to states, with the remaining 10% contingent on HHS determining state-by-state allocations. States like Arizona, Florida, and Texas are still waiting for significant amounts of funding—$3.3 million, nearly $12 million, and $20 million, respectively.
Pressure is mounting on Kennedy from lawmakers across the country. On April 14, 2025, the Massachusetts congressional delegation, led by Senator Edward Markey, sent a letter demanding clarity on how HHS plans to ensure continued LIHEAP assistance. They highlighted that although LIHEAP operates primarily as a block grant managed by states, federal staff play a crucial role in providing technical assistance and oversight.
Massachusetts has reported a dramatic increase in requests for heating assistance, with over 181,000 applications this fiscal year, representing an 8% rise from the previous year. Many of these applicants are elderly or disabled, underlining the critical nature of LIHEAP funding.
Additionally, on April 11, 2025, Senator Bernie Sanders, along with 30 other senators, called for the immediate rehiring of LIHEAP staff, arguing that without this bipartisan program, many Americans would face the grim choice between heating their homes and affording basic necessities like food and medicine.
The ramifications of the staffing cuts extend beyond immediate funding issues. Sanya Carley, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania, warned that without adequate staffing, the program’s integrity and future could be compromised. “Long term, a lack of staff to oversee the allocation of LIHEAP funds could severely compromise the program’s existence,” Carley stated.
In Wisconsin, the situation is similarly dire. The seasonal moratorium on utility shutoffs is set to end on April 15, 2025, coinciding with the federal staff firings. The Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program, which distributes federal funding for energy bills, has already assisted nearly 155,000 households this fiscal year, but uncertainty looms over future funding.
State Department of Administration Secretary Kathy Blumenfeld acknowledged the lack of clarity regarding the impact of federal cuts on state programs. “Crisis assistance is still available for Wisconsin residents,” she assured, but advocates worry about the long-term implications of the staffing changes.
Tom Content, executive director of the Citizens Utility Board of Wisconsin, expressed concern over the potential disintegration of the program without federal oversight. “If there’s nobody left to administer a program, does the program just evaporate?” he questioned.
Community organizations are also mobilizing in response to the crisis. Citizen Action of Wisconsin has organized a rally outside We Energies’ corporate headquarters in Milwaukee to raise awareness about the challenges families face as utility disconnections loom. Organizer Keviea Guiden highlighted the emotional toll of utility shutoffs, stating, “It totally breaks down the dynamics of any household and any family, and brings stress and depression.”
As the nation braces for another scorching summer, the urgency for action is palpable. With rising energy costs and the potential for widespread disconnections, advocates and lawmakers alike are calling for immediate intervention to ensure that LIHEAP funds reach those who need them the most. Failure to act could lead to a crisis for millions of low-income households, further exacerbating the already dire economic challenges many face.
With the deadline for releasing funds fast approaching, the coming weeks will be critical in determining the future of LIHEAP and the well-being of countless families across the country. As Wolfe succinctly put it, “If the administration doesn’t continue LIHEAP, the lives of poor people will get much harder.”
