Sen. Reed announces $24 Million LIHEAP heating assistance to help Rhode Islanders

In an effort to help some of the nation’s most vulnerable households pay their home energy bills, the Biden-Harris Administration today released $3.71 billion for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), including $24,063,792 for Rhode Island.  Even as the U.S. has become the largest oil producer in the world, colder winters in the Northeast mean the demand for LIHEAP is high.  The federally funded program is a crucial lifeline that helps low-income households and seniors on fixed incomes afford their energy bills, including those who use natural gas, propane, electricity, and home heating oil. 

Heating costs are expected to be 10% higher this year in Rhode Island.

U.S. Senator Jack Reed, a leading member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and a Congressional champion for LIHEAP, cheered the release of funds and says it will allow states to provide funds to support income eligible households with utility costs.

Earlier this month, Reed joined Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) in leading a bipartisan call for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to release LIHEAP funds as swiftly and at the highest level possible.

“This federal funding will help keep vulnerable Rhode Islanders safe and healthy through targeted initiatives that lower utility bills.  It will ease the energy cost burden for low-income residents, who pay a higher proportion of household income to heat their homes when cold winter weather hits.  Nobody should have to choose between affording needed medication or having their heat turned off.  LIHEAP is a real lifeline that has proven to make a real positive difference for so many Rhode Islanders,” said Senator Reed, who helped provide a total of $4.1 billion for LIHEAP in fiscal year 2024, with $4 billion through appropriations and $100 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds. 

Under the short-term “continuing resolution” funding package that President Biden signed into law in September, HHS is able to advance states’ funding equal to 90 percent of their FY24 allocation.

APPLY NOW

Rhode Islanders wishing to apply for LIHEAP may go to the Rhode Island Department of Human Services website to get more information and links to an online application.  Or, Rhode Islanders may contact their local Community Action Agency.  Eligibility for LIHEAP is based on several factors, including income, household size, and the availability of resources.

Nationwide, an estimated 5.1 million households received assistance with heating and cooling costs through LIHEAP in the last fiscal year.

Older Americans on fixed incomes and those receiving Social Security Disability or SSI benefits are encouraged to apply as early as possible, but applications will be open to everyone through spring of 2025 — or until the funding is exhausted.