11/13/2025

The Future of Ohio’s Federal Energy Assistance Program Is Unclear

The government shutdown has exposed it to additional threats

Not only are low-income Ohioans facing disruption of federal food help as the Trump administration thus far refused to release it. With nighttime temperatures dipping into the 30s, the future of federal energy assistance is in doubt as well.

Because of the Oct. 1 government shutdown, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services hasn’t received 2026 funding for the program known as the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

Ohio isn’t among the states such as Pennsylvania that have told clients that the start of assistance will be delayed as cold weather sets in. The program last year spent $43 million assisting 246,000 clients in Ohio, according to the state Department of Development, which administers it.

Please select this link to read the complete article from Ohio Capital Journal.