Bill Overview
Title: Home Heating Emergency Funding Act of 2022
Description: This bill provides $4 billion in emergency supplemental appropriations for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which provides grants for states, tribes, and territories to operate home energy assistance programs for low-income households.
Sponsors: Rep. Golden, Jared F. [D-ME-2]
Target Audience
Population: Low-income households needing heating assistance
Estimated Size: 5300000
- The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) targets low-income households, specifically those that may struggle to pay for heating in colder months.
- Cold regions and states with higher heating costs, such as those in the northern United States, will have a greater number of recipients.
- The U.S. Census Bureau's data indicates that there are approximately 37 million people living below the poverty line in the United States.
- Not all individuals under the poverty line will require heating assistance (e.g., those living in warmer climates or those who already have alternative assistance), so a subset of this group will be impacted.
- In 2022, LIHEAP served about 5.3 million households, as per previous program statistics.
Reasoning
- The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) targets low-income households, specifically those that may struggle to pay for heating in colder months.
- Cold regions and states with higher heating costs, such as those in the northern United States, will have a greater number of recipients.
- The U.S. Census Bureau's data indicates that there are approximately 37 million people living below the poverty line in the United States.
- Not all individuals under the poverty line will require heating assistance (e.g., those living in warmer climates or those who already have alternative assistance), so a subset of this group will be impacted.
- In 2022, LIHEAP served about 5.3 million households, as per previous program statistics.
- The funding from this act is specifically intended to enhance the LIHEAP program, serving those who already qualify based on income in the United States.
- Historically, LIHEAP has not covered every eligible household due to funding limitations, hence this bill aims to reach more within the existing framework.
- According to a 2018 survey, only 17% of eligible households received LIHEAP assistance.
Simulated Interviews
retired (Buffalo, NY)
Age: 67 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I have trouble paying my heating bills every winter.
- This program would really help me manage my expenses.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 2 |
warehouse worker (Houston, TX)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- My heating costs aren't as high as others, but any help is appreciated.
- This might allow me to save a little more.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 3 |
nurse (Minneapolis, MN)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I balance my budget carefully, but the colder months are tough.
- This could provide more stability for my child and me.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 3 |
factory worker (Detroit, MI)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is a lifeline that I really need right now.
- Every bit helps when you're struggling to keep the heat on.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 2 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 2 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 2 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 1 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 1 |
part-time receptionist (Seattle, WA)
Age: 62 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Heating isn't as big of a cost for me compared to others in colder climates.
- I welcome any assistance that can help reduce my bills.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 3 |
unemployed (Chicago, IL)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It can get really cold here, and heating is a necessity.
- The program would be a big help to get by during tough times.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 2 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 2 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 2 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 1 |
freelance graphic designer (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I won't directly benefit much from heating assistance.
- I'm more concerned about housing costs.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 3 |
construction worker (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Our biggest costs aren't heating but rather cooling.
- I wish there were more programs for that too.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 3 |
bartender (Portland, OR)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This program would help lighten the financial load during winter months.
- I often have to choose between utility bills and groceries.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 2 |
retired teacher (Boston, MA)
Age: 75 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The extra help with heating would free up some money for my medical expenses.
- Navigating winter expenses has always been challenging.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 3 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $4000000000 (Low: $4000000000, High: $4000000000)
Year 2: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 3: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The fixed nature of the appropriation ensures predictability in program enhancement for the given year but does not extend benefits beyond this period unless renewed.
- The program targets low-income households, potentially providing significant immediate relief during a time of heightened heating demand.
- The bill does not address long-term energy efficiency or sustainability issues that might provide more enduring benefits.