26,000 Vermonters Rely on LIHEAP for Home Energy Assistance

WASHINGTON, D.C. – As energy costs rise and with winter fast approaching, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy, and Credit, joined U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), and 27 bipartisan colleagues in urging the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to release funds for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) as swiftly and at the highest level possible. Senator Welch worked on a bipartisan basis to secure $4 billion in federal LIHEAP funds for the coming year following President Trump’s threats to zero out the program in his Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) budget. 

LIHEAP provides financial assistance to income-eligible homeowners and renters to assist with energy bills and reconnection of energy services. The program assists vulnerable households facing high energy burdens by providing direct payments to utility companies on behalf of approved applicants with demonstrated need. LIHEAP also helps reduce energy costs through improved energy efficiency initiatives.  

In their letter to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., the bipartisan group of Senators emphasize that the federal government should put preparation ahead of politics and fully fund LIHEAP to help vulnerable citizens, low-income households, and seniors on fixed incomes pay their energy bills: “As you know, the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act for Fiscal Year 2027 (P.L. 119-103) requires the Department of Health and Human Services to distribute no less than 90% of its total LIHEAP allotment by November 1, 2026. Given the extraordinary pressure consumers will face this winter, we ask that you make this distribution well before the deadline.” 

Nationwide, an estimated 6 million households—including 26,000 Vermonters—receive assistance with heating costs through LIHEAP annually. This year, Vermont home heating costs rose up $218 per month on average as a result of President Trump’s war in Iran. More households are expected to rely on LIHEAP this winter as temperatures drop to record lows and the cost of oil, gas, propane, and other residential fuels continues to rise. Heating oil costs are projected to soar by more than 31% this winter as a result of heating oil price spikes, which are largely driven by the war in Iran. Overall, the average American household is projected to spend around $1,030 to heat their homes this winter—an increase of 8.7%, more than twice the rate of inflation. These price spikes will disproportionately impact lower-income households. 

States and tribes typically receive their LIHEAP allocations from HHS by early November. Eligibility for LIHEAP is based on income, family size, and the availability of resources. While eligibility varies by state, most applicants must have a household income below 150% of the federal poverty guideline or 60% of the state median income. 

In addition to Senators Welch, Reed, Collins, and Murkowski, the letter was signed by Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Sens. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Angus King (I-Maine), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-N.M.), Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.). 

Read and download the Senators’ full letter to HHS Secretary Kennedy. 

LIHEAP applications are open for all income-eligible households through the spring of 2027 or until the funding is exhausted. Senior citizens and those receiving Social Security Disability or SSI benefits are encouraged to apply as early as possible. Vermonters interested in applying to the program can learn more here. 

Senator Welch has been a staunch defender of LIHEAP and has led efforts to ensure the program is adequately funded. Earlier this year, Senator Welch slammed President Trump’s proposal to eliminate LIHEAP and co-led an amendment to Republicans’ budget resolution that would protect LIHEAP from being zeroed out. Senate Republicans ultimately blocked the measure. Additionally, Senator Welch repeatedly urged the Trump Administration to immediately disburse federal funding for LIHEAP during a funding freeze last fall, which was ultimately successful. The Senator also partnered with bipartisan colleagues and the Vermont Congressional Delegation in pushing back on the President’s proposal to eliminate LIHEAP funding entirely. 

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