This week, U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson, D-Fla., announced that Florida was awarded $106 million in funding for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
Administered through the Administration for Children and Families Office of Community Services at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, this funding will help individuals and families with low incomes pay their home heating costs this winter and with cooling bills in the summer. LIHEAP can also be used to weatherize homes to make them more energy efficient and during disasters and extreme weather to mitigate energy emergencies.
This week’s funding release includes funds appropriated by Congress from the Continuing Appropriations Act 2024 and $100 million appropriated for FY 2024 from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
“LIHEAP funding has been a lifeline for South Florida families, ensuring all our residents feel safe and can escape scorching temperature, especially during scorching heatwaves that seem to get hotter and last longer every year,” Wilson said. “I’m thankful to the Biden administration and the Department of Health and Human Services for helping Florida families have the support they need to stay cool, safe, and secure. With these critical funds, we’re not just providing financial relief; we’re offering peace of mind to Floridians when they most need it.”
Maintaining safe indoor air temperatures is critical, particularly for households that include older adults, individuals with disabilities, and young children. By helping to reduce the costs of home heating and cooling bills, reconnecting energy services that have been disconnected, preventing energy shutoffs, and providing minor energy-related home repairs, LIHEAP helps make sure that our neighbors can meet their home energy needs and stay safe in their homes.
In addition to releasing the funding, ACF’s Office of Community Services (OCS) has updated its LIHEAP heating season toolkit to help grant recipients and stakeholders effectively reach households in need of assistance. To access the toolkit’s outreach materials including flyers, social media templates, and animated videos, visit the OCS Website.
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