State Legislators Call for Reinstatement of Federal LIHEAP Staff to Safeguard Critical Energy Assistance Program

As Memorial Day weekend marks the start of summer and temperatures begin to rise, over 230 state legislators from 38 states released a joint letter urging congressional leadership to restore the federal staff responsible for administering the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). This action follows the April 1 layoffs of 10,000 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) employees, including the entire federal LIHEAP staff.

“State legislators understand firsthand how vital LIHEAP is to our constituents,” said Maryland State Delegate Lorig Charkoudian, who spearheaded the letter. “The program plays a foundational role in helping households maintain access to essential heating and cooling services. The loss of federal administrative capacity jeopardizes timely distribution of assistance at a time when energy affordability is more important than ever.”

LIHEAP has served as a cornerstone of household energy security for over four decades, supporting approximately 6.7 million low-income households annually. In FY2023 alone, the program enabled power reconnection for 261,000 households. It supports populations including older adults, people with disabilities, families with young children, and residents in rural and underserved communities.

“While the funding for LIHEAP that was approved by Congress remains intact, I am deeply concerned that decimating the staff that administers the program not only usurps the constitutional authority of Congress – but that it will have devastating impacts on Mainers and make it harder for those who rely on LIHEAP to afford to heat their homes during the long, cold winter months that our state experiences,” said Maine State Representative Tavis Hasenfus. 

Congress appropriated $4.1 billion for the LIHEAP in FY2025, with states receiving $11 – $400 million to provide energy assistance and system repairs for vulnerable households. However, without sufficient federal staff, these critical funds risk delays or going unused. “In Nevada, electricity bills aren’t just an affordability issue — they are a matter of life and death,” said Nevada State Assemblymember Howard Watts. “As extreme temperatures worsen due to climate change, Americans need energy assistance programs more than ever. Instead of decimating the funding or staffing for LIHEAP, Congress should be investing more in this critical lifeline.”

The legislators emphasized that the continuation of LIHEAP’s mission depends on strong federal-state coordination. They are calling on Congress to take immediate steps to restore administrative capacity at HHS and protect one of the most essential programs in the federal safety net.

Background

Since its creation, LIHEAP has played a key role in helping families manage utility costs during periods of extreme heat and cold. In FY2023, the program served millions of households, including 2.1 million with individuals with disabilities, 996,000 with young children, and 2.4 million with older adults. The program is especially critical in light of rising energy prices, climate-driven weather extremes, and increasing utility burdens.

Read the full letter to congressional leadership.