LIHEAP Energy Aid Reports Get Streamlined for States
Published Date: 12/29/2025
Notice
Summary
The government wants to keep collecting quarterly reports from states, tribes, and territories about the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for three more years. They’re making the forms simpler to save time and reduce hassle. These reports help track how many households get energy help, spot problems fast, and keep everyone informed—all while making sure funds are used wisely. Comments on the changes are due by February 27, 2026.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
LIHEAP Quarterly Reporting Extended
The Administration for Children and Families is requesting a 3-year extension of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Quarterly Reports (OMB #: 0970-0589) after the current expiration of October 31, 2025. The agency says 207 respondents will each submit 4 quarterly reports per year, and the estimated time per report is increased from 12 to 16 hours, for a total annual burden of 13,248 hours.
Carryover/Reallotment Form Consolidated
ACF proposes to stop using the separate LIHEAP Carryover and Reallotment Report (OMB #: 0970-0106) and instead add those primary data elements into Section III of the Quarterly Report starting with Quarter 4 due October 31, 2025 and Quarter 3 due July 31, 2026 and beyond. Section III will distinguish estimated (Quarter 3) and final (Quarter 4) carryover and reallotment amounts and include a remarks field for recipients requesting carryover, consistent with 42 U.S.C. 8626(b)(2)(A).
Quarterly Data to Improve LIHEAP Oversight
The Quarterly Report will collect specific program measures such as total households assisted, the number of occurrences LIHEAP funding prevented loss of or restored home energy services, and the estimated percentage of LIHEAP funds obligated by funding component. ACF says these 'almost real time' data let the agency track households served, respond faster to challenges, inform training needs, improve outreach to newly eligible households, and update public dashboards.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-11530 — Employment and Training Services for Noncustodial Parents in the Child Support Program; Rescission
The government plans to cancel a recent rule that let child support agencies offer job training to noncustodial parents using federal funds. This change affects agencies and parents involved in the child support program and could shift how support services are funded and delivered. Comments on this proposal are open until August 10, 2026, so folks have time to weigh in before it’s final.
2026-09383 — Restoring Flexibility To Support Head Start Program Access
The government wants to give Head Start programs more freedom by removing some strict rules about staff wages and benefits. This change aims to save over $2 billion and help programs serve more kids better. If you want to share your thoughts, make sure to comment by June 11, 2026!
2026-06632 — Work Participation Rate Calculation Changes: Recalibration of the Caseload Reduction Credit and Prohibition of Small Checks in Work Participation Rate Calculation
The government is updating how it measures work participation for families getting help through TANF. They’re changing the base year for counting caseload drops from 2005 to 2015 and won’t count tiny monthly payments under $35 in work rate calculations. These changes, required by a 2023 law, affect states and could impact funding starting soon, so everyone should pay attention and share their thoughts by May 6, 2026.
2026-13395 — Submission for Office of Management and Budget Review; Chafee Strengthening Outcomes for Transition to Adulthood Project Overarching Generic (Extension)
The government is extending a special approval to quickly study programs that help young people leaving foster care. This extension lets them test new ideas faster and learn what really works to support these youth as they become adults. If you have thoughts, you can share them by August 3, 2026—no extra costs or delays expected!
2026-13451 — Reducing Bureaucracy and Burden for Children, Youth, and Family Programs
This new rule makes life easier for groups helping runaway and homeless youth by cutting out confusing and extra rules. It affects organizations that get grants to support these kids, making the program simpler and clearer starting August 31, 2026. This change saves time and effort, so more focus can go to helping youth instead of paperwork.
2026-13134 — Submission for Office of Management and Budget Review; Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS)
The government is updating the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) to include 62 new data points, mainly about protections for Native children. This change affects state child welfare agencies, making their reporting a bit more detailed and time-consuming. Comments on this update are open until July 30, 2026, helping shape how the system supports kids in foster care and adoption.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-23908 — Proposed Information Collection Activity; Generic Program-Specific Performance Progress Report
The Administration for Children and Families wants to keep using a flexible report that helps grant recipients show how well they’re doing. This report lets different programs ask for the specific info they need without changing the main form. No big changes or extra costs are planned, but public comments are open until February 27, 2026.
Next: 2025-23910 — Proposed Information Collection Activity; Children's Justice Act Program Instruction
The government wants to keep collecting info for the Children's Justice Act program for three more years, with no changes to the current rules. This affects states and territories that get grants to help investigate and handle child abuse cases carefully and fairly. If you have thoughts, you’ve got until February 27, 2026, to speak up—no extra costs or new paperwork are coming.