WASHINGTON, D.C. – Assistant Speaker Katherine Clark (D-MA-5) and Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) led a bicameral letter urging the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to address the ongoing energy crisis and its impact on families served by the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The letter is co-led by Congresswomen Gwen S. Moore (D-WI-4) and Sylvia R. Garcia (D-TX-29).

The cost of home heating is estimated to increase by 30 percent this winter, which is a level that has not been seen since 2014 and would impact 61 million households that use natural gas for heat.

As a consequence of these volatile prices, the purchasing power of appropriated LIHEAP funding could drop by as much as 30 percent.

Specifically, the program’s value in available funding could decrease by $1.14 billion from $3.8 billion for regular appropriations and by $1.35 billion from $3.15 billion for stimulus funds. The Members’ letter requests information and timeline updates regarding implementation and eligibility for low-income families and funding needs for the Department to fulfill its obligations.

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