Nearly $40 million in long-awaited home heating aid is finally headed to Maine after the Department of Health and Human Services released a major round of LIHEAP funding, following a written request led earlier this month by Senator Susan Collins (R-ME).
DHHS authorized $39,780,472 for Maine, including $38,321,610 for statewide assistance and $1,458,862 for the Passamaquoddy, Penobscot, Maliseet, and Mi’kmaq Tribes. The release comes after delays tied to the recent federal government shutdown.
Sen. Collins, who chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee, joined Sens. Jack Reed of
Rhode Island (D) and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska (R), along with 28 other senators, in pressing DHHS to move the money. She also helped secure a $20 million increase for LIHEAP in the FY 2026 appropriations bill, which has already cleared committee with bipartisan support and now awaits action by the full Senate.
“LIHEAP funding provides vital relief to thousands of Mainers, helping them avoid the constant worry of having to choose between heating their homes and covering other basic necessities,” Collins said, adding that she is “glad” the funds were released following the bipartisan outreach.
Home heating costs are projected to rise nearly eight percent nationwide this winter, with electricity-driven heating costs forecast to climb even higher, up 10 percent from last year, according to the National Energy Assistance Directors Association.
Roughly 6.2 million U.S. households relied on LIHEAP assistance over the past year, including approximately 45,000 in Maine who received $41.6 million in FY 2025.
LIHEAP eligibility is based on income, family size, and available resources. Most applicants must fall below 150 percent of federal poverty guidelines or 60 percent of state median income.
Applications are currently open for all eligible households, and seniors or residents receiving Social Security Disability or SSI are encouraged to apply early. Funding will remain available through spring 2026 or until it runs out.
Maine residents can apply through the state’s LIHEAP portal.
