June 26, 2020 – An update is available, provided by the National Energy Assistance Director’s Association (NEADA), on the status of utility moratorium shutoffs due to COVID-19. A summary of voluntary and state-ordered shutoffs is available on the NEADA web site.

June 19, 2020 – Ohio will begin providing crisis assistance to low-income households through the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) on July 1. The Ohio Summer Crisis Program assists eligible Ohioans pay for utility bills and air conditioning units and repairs.

June 12, 2020 – Utilities across the country had recently implemented utility moratoriums amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Some states, such as Wisconsin, are ending those moratoriums at the end of July. The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin voted to lift the moratorium on disconnections for nonpayment during the COVID-19 pandemic.

June 1, 2020 – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) released two information memoranda regarding the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Income Guidelines. The guidelines are optional for implementation in FY20 and mandatory for implementation in FY21.

May 29, 2020 – Approximately $16.5 million in additional funding has been released for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) in Arizona, according to the Arizona Department of Economic Security. The funding comes from the CARES Act fund, in result of the coronavirus pandemic.

May 22, 2020 – Resources on low-income energy burden have recently been released by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The resources are for those launching or engaging in programs intended to address low-income energy issues.

May 11, 2020 – $900 million in supplemental funding has been released to LIHEAP grantees to help, “prevent, prepare for, or respond to” home energy needs surrounding the national emergency created by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). These funds have been appropriated by congress under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, signed into law March 27, 2020.

May 8, 2020 – Many utilities across the country are making changes to their program operations to accommodate low-income households during the pandemic. One common change among them are the changes to the moratoriums; however, utilities such as such as California’s San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E) are changing additional aspects of their program operations to further assist low-income households during this time.

May 4, 2020 – The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) is issuing a supplemental, emergency payment to Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) participants and heating source vendors. The supplemental payment is to offset bulk fuel expenses from the current program year.

April 27, 2020 – Ohio has made changes to their application process for those seeking energy assistance. Applicants are no longer required to visit their local Energy Assistance Office to apply. They can now request an application via mail or apply online. Those who do not have access to the internet have the option to complete their application over the phone.