PORTLAND, Ore. — As the federal government shutdown extends past 36 days, making it the longest in U.S. history, thousands of Oregonians are bracing for a winter without adequate heat. With the shutdown halting key federal programs, many low-income families now face uncertainty about how they will keep their homes warm in the coming months.
Federal Assistance on Hold
Among the most critical casualties of the shutdown is the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) — a federally funded initiative that helps families pay for heating and cooling costs. In 2024, nearly 70,000 Oregon households relied on LIHEAP to stay warm through the winter.
However, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced shortly after the shutdown began on October 1 that no new LIHEAP grants will be issued until the government reopens. This marks a sharp departure from previous shutdowns, when LIHEAP staff were classified as “essential personnel,” allowing operations to continue.
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Impact Across Oregon
With temperatures in the Portland metro area barely reaching the mid-60s during the day and dropping sharply at night, residents are increasingly anxious. Local agencies and outreach centers across the state report being inundated with calls from worried families seeking updates on when financial assistance might resume.
The Baker City Herald reported that community service offices are fielding multiple calls each day from residents desperate for help with heating costs. Many of these households include seniors, young children, and individuals with disabilities, who typically receive early access to heating aid as early as October. Without federal funding, these vulnerable groups may be left exposed to dangerously cold conditions.
Program Staffing and Delays
Further complicating matters, HHS’ Division of Energy Assistance, which previously administered LIHEAP, was dissolved earlier this year. According to the American Public Power Association, all division employees were terminated, and the limited remaining staff now assigned to LIHEAP within ACF are barred from working on program-related tasks during the shutdown.
Even if states tap into leftover or reallocated funds, ACF has stated it is unclear how long reimbursement will take, leaving state governments in a financial bind. Without certainty about future funding, many states—including Oregon—are unable to distribute additional aid.
Broader Shutdown Effects
The LIHEAP disruption follows national concerns over other halted federal aid programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides food benefits to millions of Americans. Earlier this month, a Rhode Island judge ordered the Trump administration to fund SNAP benefits for November, but no similar order has been issued for energy assistance programs.
As the shutdown continues with no resolution in sight, state and local agencies in Oregon are scrambling to fill the gap.
Statewide Relief Efforts Fall Short
Oregon does have a separate support mechanism — the Oregon Energy Fund (OEF) — which is financed through a small, state-mandated charge on electric utility bills. The fund provides emergency energy assistance to households facing utility shutoffs or heating crises.
However, OEF officials acknowledge that the fund cannot meet the demand of the tens of thousands of homes that rely on LIHEAP each winter. Even under normal circumstances, OEF operates with limited capacity, helping only a fraction of those who qualify for federal assistance.
Growing Concerns for Vulnerable Populations
The timing of the shutdown could not be worse. As the Pacific Northwest approaches the coldest stretch of winter, many Oregonians—particularly low-income families—find themselves choosing between heating their homes and paying for other necessities like food and medication.
For households already on the edge, the absence of LIHEAP funds means rising risks of illness, frozen pipes, and even homelessness. Local non-profits and charities are preparing to step in where possible, but the demand for help far exceeds their resources.
Calls for Urgent Action
Advocates for low-income residents are urging Congress and the administration to prioritize reopening the government to restore funding for essential programs. “We’re talking about people’s basic survival,” said one Oregon housing advocate. “Without heat, families—especially seniors and children—are at real risk this winter.”
Meanwhile, city and county governments in the Portland metro area have begun coordinating with shelters and emergency service providers to prepare for a possible increase in cold-weather emergencies if the shutdown persists into late November and December.
Outlook
As federal workers remain furloughed and agencies shuttered, Oregon residents are left waiting—often with no income, no answers, and no heat. Unless the government reopens soon, the state could face a humanitarian crisis that local resources alone cannot resolve.
The shutdown’s record-breaking duration underscores not just political gridlock, but also the real-world consequences for families who depend on federal aid to meet basic needs. Each additional day without funding deepens the hardship, leaving thousands of Oregonians wondering how long they can endure the cold.
