WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that $427.4 million in Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program funding has been released, including $4,375,915 for the State of Maine.
The funding release comes after a letter sent to the White House Office of Management and Budget last week, led by Collins, Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., and Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, along with a bipartisan group of 35 other senators. The letter urged OMB to immediately release the roughly $400 million in remaining LIHEAP funds approved by Congress for Fiscal Year 2026.
“It is welcome news that following our recent outreach, the funding for this critical program has been released to states,” Collins said. “LIHEAP provides vital relief to thousands of Mainers, helping them avoid the constant worry of choosing between heating their homes and covering other basic necessities. That is why I am proud that the Senate Appropriations Committee worked in a bipartisan manner to increase funding for the program this year.”
Collins, Reed, and Murkowski also led bipartisan efforts to provide a total of $4.045 billion for LIHEAP in FY26, overriding the administration’s proposed elimination of the program. That total marked a $20 million increase over the previous year.
Much of that funding has already been distributed to help low-income families and seniors on fixed incomes, with more than $38 million already sent to households in Maine this winter.
Nationwide, an estimated 6.2 million households received LIHEAP assistance with heating and cooling costs last year. In Maine, households received $41.6 million in LIHEAP funding last year.
Eligibility for LIHEAP is based on income, family size, and available resources. Senior citizens and those receiving Social Security Disability or SSI benefits are encouraged to apply as early as possible, though applications remain open to everyone through May 29, 2026, or until funding is exhausted.
Maine residents can check eligibility and apply for the program online. https://www.mainehousing.org/programs-services/energy/energydetails/liheap
Darn worked too hard again this year, I guess I’ll just have to pay for my own oil once again