Heating Aid for Low-Income Families Threatened by Government Shutdown

Tue Nov 11 2025 00:41:31 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

With the government shutdown affecting federal funding, low-income families across the U.S. face delays in heating assistance just as winter approaches, raising concerns for many vulnerable households.

As temperatures drop, the ongoing federal government shutdown jeopardizes funding for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which provides essential heating aid to millions of households. Many states, including Pennsylvania and Minnesota, announce delays in aid distribution, causing deep concern among recipients. Advocates warn that without prompt action, the situation could worsen for low-income families relying on this important support.

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Jacqueline Chapman, a retired school aide, faces uncertainty as she relies on her $630 monthly Social Security check to get by. While struggling with the recent cuts in federal food aid benefits, she learned that the assistance for heating her Philadelphia apartment might also be at risk.

At 74, Chapman expresses her fears: I feel like I’m living in scary times. It’s not easy to rest when you know you have things to do with limited accounts and funds. There’s not much you can do.”

Chapman depends on the $4.1 billion Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which supports millions of low-income households in covering heating and cooling costs.

As autumn temperatures begin to drop, several states are warning that delays in funding for the program are imminent due to the federal government shutdown, which has entered its fifth week.

Currently, 5.9 million households depend on LIHEAP, and many are already grappling with other delays in federal aid such as food assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which serves about 1 in 8 Americans.

“The impact, even if it’s temporary, on many of the nation’s poor families is going to be profound if we don’t solve this problem,” said Mark Wolfe, executive director of the National Energy Assistance Directors Association.

Historically, LIHEAP has enjoyed bipartisan support, assisting families in paying for heating oil, gas, and other utilities. However, delays are expected as Congress has not passed a full 2026 spending bill yet.

For instance, Pennsylvania's government has reported a delay on over $200 million that could help around 300,000 households, predicting payments might not commence until December instead of November. Similarly, in Minnesota, federal LIHEAP dollars are also anticipated to face delays due to the ongoing shutdown.

States manage LIHEAP with support derived from a federal allocation formula that considers local weather patterns and energy costs. Connecticut is monitoring the situation closely, having set aside enough funds to pay heating bills temporarily, while also exploring options from state reserves if the shutdown continues.

As advocacy groups call attention to the urgent situation, Wolfe warns, “Once you’ve fired the staff, things just slow down.” The uncertain future continues to loom large for those counting on LIHEAP as winter approaches, and many vulnerable families may soon find themselves in critical need of assistance.