John,

As we head into the winter months, several states have reported that applications for energy assistance are up by 20% from last year’s levels and that if additional funding is not provided, they will be forced to reduce the number of households served by up to 1.5 million households, reduce average benefit levels, and shut down their summer cooling programs.¹

For many struggling families, higher prices can mean being forced to choose between heat, food, or medication. About 29% of Americans who were surveyed had to reduce or forego expenses for basic household necessities to pay an energy bill in the last year.² It’s so dire that about 20 million families now owe $16 billion to their local utilities or about $800 per family, up from about $8 billion or $400 per family prior to the start of the pandemic.³

Congress can help solve this crisis by providing an additional $1.6 billion in funding for the LIHEAP program (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) as requested by the Biden administration.⁴

Take action today! Write to your members of Congress and urge them to pass a spending bill by the end of this year, including critical funding to keep vulnerable households warm this winter.

We must ensure that vulnerable communities get the help they need; otherwise, the impact will be felt for generations and will severely exacerbate income and racial inequity in this country.

Thank you for all you do,

Meredith Dodson
Senior Director of Public Policy, Coalition on Human Needs

¹ Winter Fuels Outlook 2023–2024: A supplement to the Short-Term Energy Outlook
² National Energy Assistance Directors Association Letter to Congressional Leadership
³ Week 36 Household Pulse Survey: August 18 – August 30
⁴ Nearly 20 million households are behind on their utility bills

-- DEBORAH'S EMAIL --

John,

2023 was the hottest year in recorded history and many households beat the heat by cranking up their cooling systems, sending energy bills skyrocketing. Now, as winter approaches, many of those same people are having difficulty paying for high heating costs.

Congress must step in and increase funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) in an end-of-year spending bill, as frigid temperatures set in.

In FY 2023, Congress provided an additional $2 billion for LIHEAP to help states address continuing high prices for home energy. States used these funds to increase the number of households served by 1.5 million and raise benefit levels to combat rising fuel prices. Many states also extended their program dates to address extreme weather year round.

President Biden has requested $1.6 billion in additional funds for LIHEAP and those funds are desperately needed as many states are seeing applications for LIHEAP increase by 10-20% from last year's levels. Without those extra funds, states will be forced to reduce the number of households served by up to 1.5 million households.¹

Lack of proper heating can be deadly. Send a message to Congress today to increase funding for LIHEAP in an end-of-year spending bill.

According to the US Energy Information Administration, the cost of home heating for those using electricity is expected to remain at about last year’s level of $1,060 while the cost of home heating with heating oil is projected to increase from $1,720 to $1,850.²

For many vulnerable households, higher energy prices can mean being forced to choose between heat, food, or medication. When heat gets turned off, especially in extreme cold, families can also face increased sickness and mental health problems. According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey, about 29% of Americans who were surveyed had to reduce or forego expenses for basic household necessities to pay an energy bill in the last year.³

No one should face the dangers of an unheated home during the winter. Congress must stop focusing on cutting taxes for wealthy donors and instead focus on supporting the most vulnerable communities. Click here to write to Congress today to demand they increase funding for LIHEAP this winter.

Thank you for all you do,

Deborah Weinstein
Executive Director, Coalition on Human Needs

¹ National Energy Assistance Directors Association Letter to Congressional Leadership
² Winter Fuels Outlook 2023–2024: A supplement to the Short-Term Energy Outlook
³ Week 36 Household Pulse Survey: August 18 – August 30