The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a block grant that provides resources to states to help low-income families meet their energy assistance needs. Most Southern states rely on LIHEAP to assist low-income households -- working families with young children and senior citizens -- pay for their cooling and heating bills throughout the year.
LIHEAP is largely viewed by some members of Congress as a regional program, primarily intended to benefit cold weather states in the Northeast and Midwest. Its funding formula relies on data that is more than a quarter century out of date, and is skewed to disproportionately benefit states in these cold weather regions of the country.
SGA believes that Congress must view LIHEAP as a national program that assists families throughout the country with their overall energy needs. As such, SGA is working to achieve equity in the formula so Southern states will begin to receive a fair share of LIHEAP funding to better meet the needs of their low-income residents.
See Profiles of Southern State LIHEAP Programs to learn more about each Southern state's specific program.
If you are in need to energy assistance, contact your state’s LIHEAP-administering office to determine your eligibility for this resource.
Read more about SGA’s activities on this issue: