ICYMI: TRUMP ADMIN CUTS WILL RAISE UTILITY COSTS FOR LOW-INCOME NEW JERSEYANS

New Jersey – The Trump administration fired the entire staff working on the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) within the Department of Health and Human Services. LIHEAP has helped millions of low-income Americans save money on their utility bills since 1981. Congress previously approved $4.1 billion for the program for fiscal year 2025.

“Too many Americans are already struggling to afford their utility bills, and the Trump administration’s reckless cuts are exacerbating the crisis. Forcing Americans to choose between feeding their families and keeping their homes heated or cooled isn’t about reducing waste—it’s heartless and cruel,” said Climate Power Eastern States Hub Director Michelle Diane Hernandez. “For decades, LIHEAP has been a safety net for thousands of low-income families and senior citizens. New Jerseyans deserve better.”

In fiscal year 2023, New Jersey received more than $212 million in LIHEAP funding, which served 241,888 households. That includes 230,760 households receiving heating assistance with reported average benefits of $641 in regular LIHEAP funds and $350 in LIHEAP funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. LIHEAP also provided cooling assistance for 41,761 households with reported average benefits of $300 and winter crisis assistance served 23,701 households with a reported average benefit of $1,000. In FY2024, New Jersey’s LIHEAP received $134,158,877  in LIHEAP funding.

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