HARTFORD, Conn. — As the U.S. government shutdown enters its fifth week, millions of low-income Americans are facing delays in heating and food assistance programs. States are warning that payments from the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) — which helps 5.9 million households afford heating and cooling — have been halted due to the budget impasse in Washington.
In Pennsylvania, Governor Josh Shapiro’s administration said it cannot front over $200 million in federal aid for roughly 300,000 households. Minnesota officials expect a one-month delay affecting 120,000 families, while Connecticut may only be able to cover costs through November. “The situation will get much more perilous for folks who need those resources as we move later into the heating season,” said Rhonda Evans of the Connecticut Association for Community Action.
Democrats in Congress are demanding healthcare subsidy extensions before approving spending, while President Donald Trump insists negotiations resume only after reopening. The Department of Health and Human Services blamed Democrats for delays, though Trump previously proposed cutting LIHEAP funding entirely.
Mark Wolfe of the National Energy Assistance Directors Association warned that programs like SNAP, WIC, and Head Start are also nearing collapse. “The impact on many of the nation’s poor families is going to be profound if we don’t solve this problem,” Wolfe said.
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