Congress is on track to allocate $2 billion less for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. That deficit could kick more than 1.4 million households off the program.
Southern Red states like Texas, Mississippi and West Virginia are home to larger numbers of struggling families, while Washington DC, Vermont and Delaware are the least affected.
Households heated with natural gas, oil, electricity, or propane will all see hikes this coming winter season, with increases of up to 28 percent. Those using heating oil are the worst affected.