Military Families Receiving LIHEAP Increases by 156 Percent Since 2008

December 28 -- The National Energy Assistance Directors' Association (NEADA), representing the state directors of LIHEAP, released the results of its latest survey of LIHEAP recipients earlier this month. The survey was based on phone calls to more than 1,000 current program recipients.

Among the report's key findings: The number of veterans has increased from 12 percent of total LIHEAP recipients to 20 percent since 2008, increasing from 695,760 in FY 2008 to 1.78 million in FY 2011.

During this period, overall program enrollment grew by 54 percent while the number of veteran households increased by more than 150 percent. Veteran households, in fact, accounted for almost 35 percent of total growth in the program between FY 2008 and 2011. Additionally, 12 percent of all veterans receiving LIHEAP have served in Iraq or Afghanistan. Seven percent of military families are currently serving in the military.

According to Mark Wolfe, Executive Director of NEADA, the increase in military families mirrors the overall increase in LIHEAP across the country. It also clearly demonstrates that LIHEAP is reaching some of the nation's poorest families — including those who have served their nation in times of peace as well as war.

More detailed information about participating veterans is shown in the table below, and in the survey.

Source: NEADA