Billions in heating aid for Americans at risk due to shutdown

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Reuters

October 29, 2025 12:57 PM EDT Updated 4 hours ago


WASHINGTON, Oct 29 (Reuters) - Millions of poor and disadvantaged Americans could face trouble accessing funds for home heating starting next month due to the government shutdown, lawmakers from both parties and nonprofit groups said on Wednesday.

The shutdown, now in its 29th day, could prevent states from receiving about $3.6 billion under the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, run by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The funds help families pay winter heating and summer cooling bills, with about 80% used in the winter months.

States typically receive their allocations in late October or November, and the funds are distributed to households in November and December.

U.S. Representative Brian Fitzpatrick, a Republican from Pennsylvania, called on Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to ensure uninterrupted LIHEAP funding during the shutdown. "No household should have to choose between keeping their homes at safe temperatures, basic healthcare, or having food on the table," Fitzpatrick said in a letter to Kennedy.

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/billions-heating-aid-americans-risk-due-shutdown-2025-10-29/

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He and Massie were the only 2 GOP "nay" votes on the Barbaric Bullshit Bill but we STILL desperately need to flip that seat (PA-1) because he has shoved most of the other MAGat crap through.

[bucolic_frolic]

1. Winter forecast: Cold, wet oatmeal under a blanket with long johns

Breakfast with the GOP.

[durablend]

2. The cruelty is the point....

[sheshe2]

3. Starve them and freeze them.

[republianmushroom]

4. Your out of the womb, your on your own, dudes.

Don't expect the republicans to give a squat about you.

[Hope22]

5. The big question becomes

What happens to these unspent funds. Why is the debt rising when programs are canceled or held hostage?

[Mawspam2]

6. The answer is...

No-bid drone contracts for Don Jr.s Pentagon startup.

https://newrepublic.com/post/202253/donald-trump-jr-defense-department-drones-contract

[BumRushDaShow]

7. Unspent money goes back to the Treasury

but note that due the high level of debt, there is also a high level of interest payments required for that debt.

[Hope22]

8. I understand that is how it is supposed to work.

Massive cuts on all services to the people and yet record increased debt by the T administration. Massive tariffs yet no accounting of the receipts or how they are accounted for. Massive tax cuts to the wealthy. Yes we have always had debt but the numbers show record debt all while attacking the needs of Americans. Permitting the ballroom project without funding, allowing him to take money from people who will then be in a position to assert pressure on him for favors in the future. There really is no end to the lies and profiteering here. Where is the accounting.

[BumRushDaShow]

9. Oh they have an accounting of it

but it gets trickled out to the media in drips and what needs to happen is a massive audit... but good luck with that!

[Hope22]

10. It is pouring into the hands of the mob boss.

Everything has a price with this guy!

[BumRushDaShow]

11. Probably via bogus "contracts"

to shell companies.

[Hope22]

13. Yep

People are fools to think he thinks of anyone but himself. Life is a f-ing TV show with that guy!

[Bengus81]

12. There is money in LIHEAP but there is no one to distribute the funds.

Musk FIRED them

[BumRushDaShow]

14. Yeah, Muskrat pulled out his chainsaw on them

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143433290

and 45 zeroed the group out in his FY26 budget request - https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143470742