McClellan Announces Over $93 Million to Help Virginian Households with Home Energy Costs

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) announced Virginia was awarded $93,123,844 in funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). 

Awarded through the Administration for Children and Families’ Office of Community Services at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the federal funding will help low-income Virginian households pay their home heating costs this winter and their cooling bills this summer. The award also includes funding appropriated by Congress from the Continuing Appropriations Act of 2024 and $100 million appropriated for Fiscal Year 2024 through the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). 

“LIHEAP provides crucial funding to help vulnerable, low-income families afford their utility and home energy costs,” said Congresswoman McClellan. “Thanks to the hard work of congressional Democrats and the leadership of the Biden-Harris Administration, our Commonwealth will receive over $93 million to support hardworking families. This is incredibly welcomed news, particularly as we near the winter months, and will ensure more Virginians can afford home heating and cooling systems and their monthly utility bills. I was proud to vote for the CR that included funding for LIHEAP, and I remain committed to ensuring it is properly funded in the upcoming fiscal year.” 

Since coming to Congress, McClellan has fought to ensure federal resources to fund and strengthen LIHEAP. In March, McClellan joined a letter to Appropriations Committee leadership, urging them to prioritize LIHEAP funding in the FY2024 appropriations process.   

Individuals interested in applying for LIHEAP can visit energyhelp.us, check their eligibility using the LIHEAP Eligibility Tool, or call the National Energy Assistance Referral (NEAR) hotline toll-free at: 1-866-674-6327.