Senator Baldwin Announces Additional $22.6 Million to Help Wisconsinites Save on Heating Costs

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) announced that Wisconsin is getting an additional $22.6 million through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to help more Wisconsinites reduce their home energy costs thanks to the Biden Administration’s release of $1 billion in LIHEAP aid to states nationwide.

LIHEAP is a federally funded program that helps low-income households with their home energy bills by providing payment and energy crisis assistance to pay for gas, electric, and other methods customers use to heat their homes. Senator Baldwin, Chair of Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Service, Education, and Related Agencies, has ensured that $138.6 million in LIHEAP aid has gone to Wisconsin households to reduce their heating costs.

“As Wisconsinites continue to face extreme temperature drops and high levels of snowfall due to recent winter storms, families shouldn’t have to worry about the added stress of being able to heat their homes,” said Senator Baldwin. “I was proud to advocate for this critical funding to ease the burden of high-energy costs for low-income households and seniors so that our families can stay warm this Wisconsin winter.”

Earlier this month, Senator Baldwin joined her Senate colleagues in sending a letter to U.S Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra urging the swift allocation of remaining emergency LIHEAP funds. After this latest $1 billion drawdown, HHS still has about $500 million in LIHEAP reserves that will be distributed to states later this year.

LIHEAP is administered by states and accessed through local Community Action Agencies.  Eligibility for LIHEAP is based on income, family size, and the availability of resources. Nationwide, an estimated 5.3 million households received assistance with heating and cooling costs through LIHEAP.

In FY 2022, LIHEAP provided heat billing assistance to over 136,000 households across Wisconsin, with the average LIHEAP benefit covering $432 in winter home heating costs for Wisconsinites.

Wisconsinites unsure of eligibility or wishing to apply for LIHEAP may click here to reach the Wisconsin Division of Energy, Housing and Community Resources website to get more information and access to an online application.

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