HR 3876119th CongressIn Committee

LIHEAP Staffing Support Act

Introduced: Jun 10, 2025

Social Services

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

The LIHEAP Staffing Support Act would add a new provision (Sec. 2613) to the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981. It requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to ensure a minimum level of staffing to administer LIHEAP, including a cap on the use of contractors and special temporary staffing rules during emergencies. Specifically, it mandates at least 20 staff to carry out LIHEAP activities, limits contractors to no more than 40% of LIHEAP staff (with a carve-out during emergencies), and creates a temporary emergency staffing measure requiring at least 30 staff within a defined time frame. The goal is to strengthen the administration and responsiveness of LIHEAP.

Key Points

1Adds a new Section 2613 to LIHEAP, establishing minimum staffing of at least 20 staff to carry out LIHEAP activities.
2Limits the use of contractors to no more than 40% of LIHEAP staff, with exceptions described in emergencies.
3Establishes an emergency staffing provision: when an emergency is declared under LIHEAP, the Secretary must have at least 30 staff available for the LIHEAP title during a period beginning within 45 days after the determination and lasting at least 180 days.
4During emergencies, the Secretary may hire contractors beyond the 40% contractor cap to meet the emergency staffing requirement.
5This is a statutory amendment to the LIHEAP Act of 1981 and would be implemented by the Secretary of Health and Human Services; introduced in the House (H.R. 3876) in the 119th Congress and referred to the relevant committees (Energy and Commerce; Education and Workforce).

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected: The federal administration of LIHEAP (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) and the program’s ability to serve eligible low-income households, as well as state and territorial LIHEAP grantees that administer funds and services.Secondary group/area affected: LIHEAP staff and contractors; agencies responsible for staffing, hiring, and workforce management within HHS and LIHEAP state partners.Additional impacts: Potential changes in federal budgeting for LIHEAP staffing, administrative overhead, and contractor costs; potential enhancements in program responsiveness to energy assistance needs, especially during emergencies; possible implications for workforce planning and compliance with federal procurement and personnel rules.

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