Sen. Susan Collins (R) and Sen. Angus King (I) have joined a bipartisan but primarily Democratic group of lawmakers in calling upon the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to release the remaining $400 million in heating assistance funds for FY26.
The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federally funded program that helps low-income households pay utility bills, address energy crises, and lower costs by improving home energy efficiency through weatherization.
Last year, nearly six million households nationwide received assistance through LIHEAP.
Eligibility for LIHEAP aid is based on income, family size, and the availability of resources. Applications will remain open through the spring of 2026, or until the program’s funding is exhausted.
Sen. Collins has repeatedly worked to support LIHEAP in her role as Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, most recently leading bipartisan efforts to allocate over $4 billion for the program in FY26, a $20 million increase over the previous year.
In a Friday press release, Collins noted that more than $38 million has been distributed this year to Maine households alone.
[RELATED: Applications for Home Heating Assistance Open Through May 29, Crisis Help Available Until April 30]
“As the main federal program that helps low-income households and seniors with their energy bills, LIHEAP provides critical assistance during the cold winter and hot summer months,” the lawmakers wrote in their letter to DHHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
“According to the National Energy Assistance Directors’ Association, households are expected to spend 11% more on winter heating costs this winter compared to last year,” the Senators said. “With low-income families and seniors feeling additional strains on their household budgets, a timely release of LIHEAP funding is even more critical to ensure families do not need to choose between paying their energy bills and other essentials, like food or medicine.”
“Any delay in the release of appropriated funds would set back states’ efforts to cover outstanding bills relating to unexpected delivered fuel emergencies, to weatherize low-income homes, and to plan for summer cooling programs,” they concluded. “Our states are ready to deploy these funds to help vulnerable households as soon as they receive them from HHS.”
