How a Decades-Old Federal Energy Assistance Program Functions in Practice: A Deep Dive into LIHEAP

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides critical financial assistance to millions of vulnerable low-income families who are struggling to pay their energy bills. These families, a majority of whom live around or below the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), rely on this aid for assistance year after year. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the hardships faced by low-income and minority families and individuals especially, putting them at heightened risk of illness and job loss. As a result, households that were already unable to make ends meet are now facing increased health care costs and a reduced or lost income. LIHEAP funds are an essential form of relief for those forced to make difficult decisions around how to pay for energy, food, healthcare, housing, water, or other essentials. This policy brief examines the history of LIHEAP and how it operates, the program’s response during periods of crisis, and how it is carried out in Southeast states. The brief concludes with research opportunities for extending the reach of this vital source of energy
bill assistance.