Electric Companies to Advocate for More LIHEAP Funding

America’s investor-owned electric companies and other advocates of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) will partner on February 25 for LIHEAP Action Day, when industry leaders will engage with policy makers on Capitol Hill to emphasize the importance of this customer support program. 

LIHEAP provides federal assistance to qualifying customers to help cover their heating and cooling expenses—as well as other costs associated with home energy bills, energy crises, weatherization, and minor energy-related home improvements. 

This event, hosted annually by the National Energy and Utility Affordability Coalition (NEUAC), drives important customer-focused policy discussionss. 

For more than 40 years, LIHEAP has effectively assisted families and provided consistent benefits that relieve the energy burden on the most vulnerable Americans. America’s electric companies, NEAUC, and other program advocates remain committed to supporting LIHEAP and working with lawmakers to maximize federal funding. 

In addition to advocating for LIHEAP funding, electric companies are working at the state level to streamline the process for connecting eligible customers to LIHEAP resources and other assistance programs in their communities. 

Five things to know about LIHEAP: 

• Nearly 6 million households across the United States receive assistance from LIHEAP.
• The majority of households that receive LIHEAP support have an annual income below $20,000.
• Only 1 in 7 families eligible for LIHEAP aid actually receives it, which is why electric companies work to help customers understand eligibility.
• More than 2 in 5 LIHEAP households include a person who is at least 60 years old.
• 7 in 10 households helped by LIHEAP are home to a child younger than 6 years old, an elderly resident, a veteran, or someone with a disability. 

Join us to #ProtectLIHEAP by telling your elected officials in Congress to maximize funding for this critical program.