President Biden Signs Spending Bill that Includes $1 Billion in LIHEAP Funding

by Paul Ciampoli
APPA News Director
October 3, 2022

President Biden on Sept. 30 signed a stop-gap spending bill that includes $1 billion in additional funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

Half of the funds will be distributed using the old formula, which tends to benefit heating states, while the other half will be distributed using a new formula, which provides greater benefit to cooling states relative to the old formula.

In addition, LIHEAP is expected to receive roughly $4 billion in regular appropriations for fiscal year 2023 when permanent spending bills are approved.

The American Public Power Association strongly supports LIHEAP and the funding increase including the bill, which stems in large part because of rising energy prices.

The spending bill will keep the federal government operating through December 16 to allow time for Congress to pass permanent annual spending bills for the fiscal year which begins on October 1.

The Senate passed the measure on Sept.29, with the House passing it on Sept. 30.