Critical utility funds are expected to be disrupted during the government shutdown, prompting Upstate electric companies and community programs specializing in emergency assistance to brace for impact.

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, was used by nearly 6 million households in fiscal year 2024 to keep lights on and households warm. South Carolina received $53.7 million worth of those funds, averaging $648 for heating and $1,413 for cooling per household.

LIHEAP has received bipartisan support for decades, offering help with energy costs, crises, weatherization and minor energy-related home repairs.

States typically receive federal funding in early November. Experts do not anticipate they will be distributed while the shutdown continues, and even if the governm

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