WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) announced $93,123,844 in federal funding to help low-income individuals and families in Virginia pay for home heating costs, cover utility bills, and help weatherize homes to lower their energy bills as winter approaches. The funding is awarded through the Administration for Children and Families’ Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), and was made possible by last year’s government funding bill, the stopgap government funding bill Sens. Warner and Kaine voted to pass in September, and the bipartisan infrastructure law.

“With winter just around the corner, it is crucial that every Virginian is able to stay safe from the cold,” said the senators. “Today’s funding will help ensure that families and individuals throughout the Commonwealth have the support they need to pay their bills and lower their energy costs.”

The funding will be allocated to the Commonwealth and distributed on a need basis.

Sens. Warner and Kaine have been strong advocates for lowering energy costs and have consistently advocated for funding for LIHEAP, which provides federally funded assistance to reduce the costs associated with home energy bills, energy crises, weatherization, and minor energy-related home repairs. The senators also supported the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), landmark legislation that helps lower energy costs by making energy efficient appliances more affordable, invests in home energy repairs, and supports the costs of solar projects.