The revised version of the House Democrats’ stimulus bill (The Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions, or HEROES, Act) contains $4.5 billion for LIHEAP. The updated version of the bill totals $3.4 trillion, $1.2 trillion less than the $3.4 trillion package that was passed by the House in May. The LIHEAP funding level is up from the $1.5 billion that was contained in the earlier House and Senate versions. NEADA has worked closely with relevant House Committees to develop the higher number and state data has been used in its calculation.
This funding would go a long way towards averting the utility bill payment crisis that we could face in the next six months. The Senate and Trump Administration need to follow the lead in the House and support $4.5 billion in supplemental funding for LIHEAP.