Washington, D.C. (WTRF) – In another move to streamline the federal government, the Trump Administration has eliminated the team responsible for overseeing the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
Roughly 15 federal employees who managed the program were laid off this past week. LIHEAP is a vital initiative that provides financial aid to low-income households struggling to afford heating and cooling costs.
West Virginia Senator Shelley Moore Capito expressed concern about the impact of the decision on vulnerable families, particularly as the program’s administration changes.
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Capito emphasized that while the staff may be gone, the program’s funding remains intact, having already been approved by Congress. Her primary concern lies in how these remaining funds will be efficiently and fairly distributed to those in need without a dedicated team to manage the process.
“We need to ensure these critical resources still reach the people who depend on them, especially with extreme weather becoming more common,” Capito said.
Stay with 7NEWS as we continue to follow developments on this story.