US EditionGovernment shutdown threatens to delay home heating aid for millions of low-income families
- On October 1, the U.S. government shutdown began, halting or slowing multiple essential federal programs as it enters its fifth week.
- Democrats insist the government cannot reopen without extending health-care subsidies, while President Donald Trump and allies say talks will resume only after reopening; a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson blamed congressional Democrats for LIHEAP delays.
- States report that LIHEAP payments are delayed: Minnesota expects a month-long pause for 120,000 households, and Pennsylvania cannot front more than $20 million for about 300,000 households, Wolfe said.
- SNAP nearly ran dry as a federal judge in Rhode Island ordered emergency funds released, but the U.S. administration says it may lack legal authority to pay while funding is suspended; WIC and Head Start could shut down, affecting more than 65,000 families.
- With Congress yet to pass the 2026 budget, state program directors predict LIHEAP payment delays could extend into January, and Rhonda Evans warned, `The situation will get much more perilous for folks who do need those resources as we move later into the heating season`.
225 Articles
225 Articles
Low-income Wyoming homes still without heating assistance as temperatures dive and federal shutdown drags on
Temperatures are plunging across the Equality State, and thousands of low-income households are without heating assistance due to the federal government shutdown, now entering its fifth week. The federally funded Wyoming Low Income Energy Assistance Program stopped approving new applications when its funding ran out Oct. 15, but continues to accept applications so that qualified candidates will receive help as soon as Congress approves a spendin…
Government Shutdown Impacts Low-Income Americans The Most
Source: Unaihuiziphotography / Getty The effects of the monthlong government shutdown have gone from mostly affecting federal workers to upending the lives of the most vulnerable Americans. While partial Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits may be distributed as soon as this week, thousands of parents nationwide are scrambling to find childcare as Head Start programs shutter due to a lack of funding. According to CBS News, …
The government shutdown is delaying heating assistance funds for low-income Alaska families
The village of Ruby in Interior Alaska in March 2021. (Alena Naiden/KNBA) The government shutdown is delaying funding for a federal heating assistance program that helps thousands of low-income Alaska families to offset their heating costs and weatherize homes for winter, state health officials said Thursday. The Alaska Department of Health said in a statement that the government shutdown has delayed the release of money for the federal Low-Inco…
Flight delays continued at U.S. airports on Sunday due to a shortage of air traffic controllers, as the government’s closure entered its second month. Newark Airport in New Jersey...
The Epoch Times
The Political InsiderGovernment Shutdown Could Delay Home Heating Aid for Millions of Low-Income Families
A critical federal home heating assistance program that provides billions in relief to low-income families every year is at risk with the government shutdown now in its fifth week. The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides $4.1 billion in funds to 5.9 million households to help heat and cool their homes, for energy crises and home weatherization, and minor energy-related repairs. Now that temperatures are dropping across th…
Government shutdown threatens to leave families in the cold as help for heating bills gets delayed
HARTFORD, Conn. — Jacqueline Chapman is a retired school aide who relies on a $630 monthly Social Security check to get by. She was navigating the loss of her federal food aid benefits when she learned the assistance she receives for heating her Philadelphia apartment may also be at risk.
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