Millions of households are facing delays in receiving up to $1,000 in crisis energy benefits that are now expected for payment in December, as several states report that Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) has been held up by the recent government shutdown.

Newsweek has contacted the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for comment via the contact form on its website.

What is LIHEAP?

LIHEAP is a federal program that helps low-income households afford essential home energy costs. It provides states with funding to assist eligible families with:

Heating and cooling billsCrisis situations, such as utility shutoffs or fuel shortagesWeatherization support, like minor home repairs that improve energy efficiency

LIHEAP doesn’t cover all utility costs, but it helps reduce the burden for households that struggle the most with high energy bills. In the 2023 fiscal year, 5.9 million were helped with their bills by LIHEAP, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Eligibility is set by each state, but in general, people can get LIHEAP if they meet certain criteria:

Low-income households—usually based on income at or below a percentage of the federal poverty level (often around 150% FPL, but states can set higher limits).Households with high energy burdens—people who spend a large share of their income on heating or cooling.Vulnerable households, including:Older adultsPeople with disabilitiesFamilies with young childrenPeople facing an energy emergency, such as a utility shut-off or fuel shortage.LIHEAP Delays

Several states have reported delays in LIHEAP being distributed due to the government shutdown, but some report they expect funds to become available

Pennsylvania’s government website reads: “Due to the federal government shutdown and lack of federal funding, the 2025-2026 LIHEAP season opening is delayed until December 3, 2025, contingent on availability of federal funding.”

In Minnesota, Nancy Linden, director of the Energy Assistance Program at the state’s Department of Commerce, said Minnesota typically receives its LIHEAP funding in early November.

“It’s about four weeks from when Congress approves funding to when the money reaches states,” Linden said, according to a report by The Minnesota Daily. “Because they didn’t have a budget in place, that pushes everything back. Our concern is we might not see funding until mid-December.”

Similar reports of delays have been made in Georgia. Senators from New York, Rhode Island, Maine and Alaska also sent a letter on November 20 to the HHS urging the agency to release the funds.

“As the main federal program that helps low-income households and seniors with their energy bills, LIHEAP provides critical assistance during the cold winter and hot summer months,” the letter reads.

“As state agencies and tribes activate their LIHEAP programs for the coming winter, it is crucial that they have the resources on hand to help low-income households and seniors as soon as possible. As such, we request that you quickly release LIHEAP funds at the highest level possible, so that low-income households do not have to choose between paying for heat and affording other necessities like food or medicine.”