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Trump Administration Layoffs Leave Federal Energy Assistance Program Without Staff

The termination of LIHEAP's federal team raises concerns over the allocation of $400 million in funds and potential risks to vulnerable households.

Jose Luis takes a break from working at a construction site during a 27 days long heat wave with temperatures over 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43 degrees Celsius), in Scottsdale, at the Phoenix metro area, Arizona, U.S., July 28, 2023. On July 28 at 12:09 (GMT-7), a Flir One ProThermal camera registered a surface temperature of 105°F (40°C), with an air temperature of 100°F (37°C) according to the National Weather Service. REUTERS/Carlos Barria
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The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services building in Washington, DC, on July 22, 2019.
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Overview

  • The Trump administration has terminated all federal staff overseeing the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), part of 10,000 layoffs at HHS.
  • LIHEAP, which supports over 6 million low-income households annually, now faces uncertainty in distributing $400 million in remaining fiscal year 2025 funds.
  • Advocates warn of potential life-threatening consequences, including heat-related deaths, for vulnerable populations reliant on the program.
  • Bipartisan calls for HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to testify before Congress have been issued, with a hearing scheduled for April 10, 2025.
  • The layoffs align with broader federal workforce reductions but have left states and advocacy groups uncertain about how to maintain program operations.