Throughout the duration of the federal government shutdown, funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) must continue uninterrupted, according to U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA).
“I am writing to urge the administration to prioritize continuous funding of the LIHEAP through the government shutdown,” wrote Fitzpatrick in an Oct. 27 letter sent to U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., and Russell Vought, director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
Any disruption to LIHEAP funding — a crucial safety-net program for families across the country to have the ability to afford heating and cooling — would jeopardize the health and safety of millions of vulnerable Americans, including senior citizens, individuals with disabilities, and low-income families, he wrote.
As energy costs have continued to rise in recent years, the number of families struggling to afford utilities has grown, according to his letter, and dramatic changes in temperatures and related weather events have also increased demand for the program.
The congressman called on HHS and OMB to communicate clearly with states and providers to prevent service gaps that would endanger vulnerable communities during the shutdown, and he requested the agencies answer a few questions, including how many households could be impacted by a lapse in funding.
He also asked HHS and OMB about whether the agencies are working with or monitoring state governments and utility companies to coordinate alternative options for households in need of heat as the winter months approach.
“No household should have to choose between keeping their homes safe temperatures, basic health care, or having food on the table,” wrote Fitzpatrick.