March 13, 2020 – Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) divisions are providing guidance on funding and mitigation techniques following the nation’s response to circumstances surrounding COVID-19, a respiratory virus disease (also known as the Coronavirus). DHHS has provided details regarding the process of funding disbursements as well as multiple guidance resources for mitigating the spread of the virus.

March 6, 2020 – Florida’s Citrus County Housing Services will now be accepting walk-in energy assistance applications. The walk-in appointment will be available Mondays, March 16 and March 30, at the Citrus County Resource Center. Utility assistance applications are generally only accepted by appointment, due to the demand for utility assistance ion Citrus County.

February 28, 2020 – Connecticut’s Operation Fuel, United Illuminating and The Connecticut Association for Community Action will be hosting an outreach event to raise awareness about energy assistance programs

February 21, 2020 – Residents in Monmouth County, NJ who are struggling to pay their utility bills have an opportunity to apply for assistance on ‘Utility Assistance Day,’ hosted by the Office of the Senator. The event is on Wednesday, March 4, between 4 and 7 p.m.

February 14, 2020 – Michigan’s Blue Water Community Action Agency (BWCA) is hosting the annual Walk for Warmth Event on February 29, 2020. The event spreads awareness about the need for energy assistance in Michigan. Funds raised are used for BWCA Emergency Utility Assistance.

The walk includes volunteers and staff from BWCA, school and church groups, corporate sponsors, elected officials and others. Participants are provided with breakfast following the two-mile walk.

February 7, 2020 – The Department of Energy Assistance (DEA) has issued action transmittals to LIHEAP Grantees, and other interested parties, to communicate actions needed to take concerning their program(s).

The action transmittals include the following:

January 31, 2020 – The Office of Community Services (OCS) issued a dear colleague letter regarding FY 2020 compliance review monitoring visits to Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) grantees. For FY 2020, seven states, one U.S. territory, and two tribal grantees will be reviewed.

January 27, 2020 – Colorado’s energy assistance program, Energy Outreach Colorado, has provided 1,000 low-income households with weatherization assistance. The assistance is provided by Colorado’s Affordable Residential Energy (CARE) program.

January 11, 2020 – The 20th annual Ski for Heat event will be held in Vermont on January 11th. The Ski for Heat event raises money to assist low-income Vermont residents in paying their heating bills.

Over the past 19 years, the Ski for Heat event has raised over $425,000 to help low-income residents pay their winter utility bills. The event features live music and is one of the most anticipated events in the area by those who attend.

December 20, 2019 – An increase for FY 2020 funding amounts has been announced for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). FY 2020 funding has increased $50 million to $3.74 billion.