Trump Guts Heating and Cooling Assistance That Helps  Americans Pay Energy Bills

Washington, D.C. – This week, Donald Trump laid off the entire staff of a critical federal program that helps low-income Americans pay their heating and cooling bills. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) has helped working families with energy costs for decades, ensuring that seniors and disabled adults can heat their homes in the dead of winter and cool them off during dangerous heatwaves. Trump’s layoffs threaten to effectively end the program despite its longstanding, bipartisan support.

Climate Power Communications Director Alex Glass issued the following statement: “Americans across the country are struggling to make ends meet. Now, in addition to higher utility bills, they are also losing a lifeline that keeps their power on. Donald Trump and Elon Musk have never had to worry about heating or cooling their mansions and golf courses, their actions are cruel and the cost won’t just come in higher bills, but lost lives.”

Here are the facts on how LIHEAP helps Americans pay their energy bills:

• $6.2 billion in LIHEAP funding was released to support immediate home energy needs and ensure continuity of services in FY2023, serving 5.9 million households nationwide. There were 261,000 occurrences of households having their power restored due to LIHEAP.

• Arizona received more than $61 million in LIHEAP funding in FY2023, serving 27,788 households.  Cooling assistance served 20,523 households with reported average benefits of $1,088.
• Maine received more than $55 million in LIHEAP funding in FY2023, serving 41,195 households.  Heating assistance served 41,195 households with reported average benefits of $1,183.

• Michigan received more than $287 million in LIHEAP funding in FY2023. serving 431,842 households. Heating assistance served 430,777 households with reported average benefits of $202. Year-round crisis assistance served 171,149 households with a reported average benefit of $812 in regular LIHEAP funds and $38 in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law LIHEAP funds. 
• Nevada received more than $29 million in LIHEAP funding in FY23, serving 12,273 households. Heating assistance served 11,556 households with reported average benefits of $1,477 in regular LIHEAP funds and $383 in LIHEAP funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. 
• Wisconsin received more than $164 million in LIHEAP funding in FY2023, serving 189,941 households. Heating assistance served 186,017 households with reported average benefits of $696.  Year-round crisis assistance served 25,050 households with reported average benefits of $701.
• Latino Communities – more than 21 percent of people receiving energy assistance, including LIHEAP, were of Hispanic origin.  According to a 2020 report from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, Hispanic households face a higher energy burden than white households. Compared to white (non-Hispanic) households, Hispanic households spend 20 percent more of their income on energy costs.