November 03, 2022

Manchin, Capito Announce $38 Million In Energy Assistance For West Virginia Families

Huntington, WV – Today, U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV), Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), both members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced $38,680,155 from Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for the state of West Virginia. LIHEAP is funded through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and provides critical financial assistance to low-income Americans with energy costs that represent a disproportionate share of their household budgets. The funding announced today was included in Fiscal Year 2023 appropriations funding and the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

“No West Virginian should have to choose between heating their homes this upcoming winter and paying for necessities like food or medicine. Together with funding previously awarded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the American Rescue Plan, the funding announced today will help ensure LIHEAP can continue to assist low-income households and seniors in paying for their utilities, cutting costs for families across West Virginia. I urge the state to move quickly to put these critical funds to work, and I will continue advocating for resources that provide and deliver relief for West Virginians across the Mountain State,” said Senator Manchin.

“As I travel throughout our state, West Virginians continue to raise concerns about rising heating costs as we approach winter. Due to rampant and sustained inflation, American families are struggling to make ends meet on essential costs, like heating their homes. With colder temperatures already settling in West Virginia, this federal funding could not come at a better time,” Senator Capito said. “Resources through LIHEAP is something that I have consistently supported and helped secure for families across West Virginia. I’m pleased to see the bipartisan infrastructure law that I helped negotiate and craft continue to deliver for West Virginians.”

LIHEAP helps low-income households pay home heating and cooling bills, prevent energy shutoffs, restore services, complete energy-related home repairs and weatherize homes to make them more energy efficient. Senators Manchin and Capito secured a total of $73,348,414 for LIHEAP in West Virginia through Fiscal Year 2022 funding, which included resources provided through the American Rescue Plan and the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).

Senators Manchin and Capito’s recent work to secure LIHEAP funding:

  • On October 18, 2022, Senator Manchin led a group of 31 bipartisan Senators in urging HHS to release LIHEAP funds as quickly and at the highest level possible.
  • On May 4, 2022, Senator Manchin questioned HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra on the administration of LIHEAP in West Virginia.
  • On April 22, 2022, Senator Manchin announced more than $3.2 million from HHS for LIHEAP in West Virginia.
  • On October 19, 2021, Senator Manchin led 36 bipartisan Senators in urging HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra to quickly release funds for LIHEAP.
  • On August 10, 2021, Senators Manchin and Capito voted to pass the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which included historic investments in LIHEAP.
  • On March 6, 2021, Senator Manchin voted to pass the American Rescue Plan, which included $4.5 billion for LIHEAP in West Virginia.
  • On November 13, 2020, Senators Manchin and Capito announced $28.6 million from HHS for LIHEAP in West Virginia.
  • On October 19, 2020, Senator Manchin led 40 bipartisan Senators in calling on HHS to release funds for LIHEAP as swiftly and at the highest level possible.
  • On May 12, 2020, Senators Manchin and Capito announced $7.7 million from HHS for LIHEAP in West Virginia.