Community Advocates will continue to provide energy assistance despite federal layoffs at the low-income home energy assistance program

2024-2025 energy assistance benefit season ends May 15

On Wednesday, April 2, 2025, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) laid off all federal employees working in the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) as part of the Trump administration’s plan to reduce the DHHS workforce by 20,000 positions.

LIHEAP—commonly known as Energy Assistance— provides both benefit dollars and administrative funding to states to help households maintain essential utility services. The current funding allocation continues to support Community Advocates’ Energy Assistance Team and their work providing vital utility assistance to Milwaukee County residents through the Milwaukee County Energy Assistance Program.

In 2024 alone, Community Advocates helped 26,186 households maintain their utility services by offering financial support and assistance with payment plans. The Milwaukee County Energy Assistance Program is administered by Community Advocates and UMOS.

“LIHEAP enables households with low incomes to stay warm in the winter and access weatherization services that reduce energy usage and costs,” said Maudwella Kirkendoll, Chief Operating Officer of Community Advocates. “While the impact of these federal layoffs is still unclear, we remain fully committed to delivering this essential program to Milwaukee County residents. We urge eligible households to apply before the Energy Assistance Benefit Season ends on May 15.”

Milwaukee County residents can schedule an appointment or apply for Energy Assistance at keepwarmmke.org or by calling 414-270-4MKE (4653). Walk-in applications are also accepted—no appointment necessary—Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Community Advocates’ downtown office at 728 N. James Lovell Street, Milwaukee. To learn more about the Milwaukee County Energy Assistance Program, visit keepwarmmke.org. The Home Energy Plus program is administered by the Wisconsin Department of Administration. For more information about Community Advocates’ services, visit communityadvocates.net.