LIHEAP Report Gets Slimmed Down for Easier Submission
Published Date: 4/9/2026
Notice
Summary
The government wants to bring back the yearly report on families helped by the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). States and territories must submit this report by September 2026 to keep getting federal funds, but the report will now ask for less info to make things easier. If you’re involved in LIHEAP, get ready to share updated stats and send your comments by June 8, 2026!
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
States Must Submit LIHEAP Household Report
State, territorial, District of Columbia, and tribal LIHEAP grant recipients must submit the Annual LIHEAP Household Report to apply for federal LIHEAP block grant funds; the next report is due September 2026 and the current OMB expiration date is March 31, 2026.
Estimated Reporting Time Reduced
OCS proposes reduced burden estimates: Long Format respondents (52) cut from 67 hours to 41 hours per response; Short Format respondents (133) cut from 10 hours to 6 hours per response; Household Application time estimated at 0.3 hours per response for 6,160,000 applicants; total annual burden hours estimated at 1,850,930.
Race/Sex/Ethnicity Data Removed
The Office of Community Services proposes removing reporting requirements for sex, race, and ethnicity from the Annual LIHEAP Household Report to reduce administrative burden and focus reporting on statutory requirements.
Tribal Reporting Limited to Household Counts
Indian tribal LIHEAP grant recipients are required to submit only the number of households, by funding source, receiving heating, cooling, energy crisis, and/or weatherization benefits via the Annual LIHEAP Household Report.
Expired CARES/ARPA Data Elements Removed
Data elements tied to supplemental LIHEAP funding provided under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) are proposed to be removed from the Annual LIHEAP Household Report because those funding sources have expired and are no longer applicable to ongoing program operations.
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
2026-09383 — 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 more kids get quality early education. 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 counts work participation for families getting TANF help. They’re changing the base year for measuring progress from 2005 to 2015 and won’t count tiny monthly payments under $35 anymore. These changes, required by a 2023 law, could affect states’ reported success and start soon, so everyone should pay attention!
2026-09749 — Submission for Office of Management and Budget Review; Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) Consumer Education Website and Reports of Serious Injuries and Death
The government is asking to keep the Child Care Consumer Education website and serious injury/death reporting rules for three more years, with no changes to how states and providers report. This affects all states, DC, and territories that get child care funds, helping families stay informed and safe. Comments are open until June 15, 2026, and the paperwork burden has been slightly lowered.
2026-09620 — Proposed Information Collection Activity; Community Services Block Grant Disaster Supplemental Annual Report (New Collection)
The government wants to start collecting a new annual report about how disaster relief money from Hurricanes Fiona and Ian is being used to help low-income families recover. This affects states like Florida, South Carolina, and Puerto Rico, plus any future disaster funding. They’re asking for public feedback by July 13, 2026, to make sure the report works well without causing extra hassle or costs.
2026-09623 — Proposed Information Collection Activity; Guidance for Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program, ACF-123
Tribal groups running Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) programs will see clearer, simpler instructions for submitting their plans. These updates cut the time it takes to respond by about a third, making the process faster and easier. Comments on these changes are open until July 13, 2026, and the guidance extension lasts three more years with no extra costs.
2026-08934 — Proposed Information Collection Activity; Federal Case Registry
The government wants to keep using the Federal Case Registry, a big database that helps states track and manage child support cases across the country, for three more years with no changes. State child support agencies are the ones involved, and the only ask is for public comments by July 6, 2026. This extension won’t cost extra or change how things work but keeps the system running smoothly.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-06803 — Agency Information Collection Activities; Renewal of an Approved Information Collection Request: Transportation of Hazardous Materials; Highway Routing
The FMCSA is renewing its approval to collect info from States and Indian Tribes about special highway routes for transporting hazardous materials. This helps keep track of which roads are safe or restricted for these materials, ensuring everyone stays safe. Comments on this plan are open until May 11, 2026, and there’s no new cost impact for those involved.
Next: 2026-06805 — Proposed Information Collection Activity; Office of Refugee Resettlement Unaccompanied Refugee Minors Program Application and Withdrawal of Unaccompanied Refugee Minors Program Application or Declination of Unaccompanied Refugee Minors Program Placement Forms
The Office of Refugee Resettlement is updating and extending the forms used to help unaccompanied refugee minors apply for or withdraw from their special care program. These changes make the forms simpler, faster, and easier to understand, with translations available in several languages. Case managers and helpers will use these improved forms starting soon, with public feedback open until June 8, 2026.