# Heating and Cooling Relief Act - Plain Language Summary

## What This Bill Does

The Heating and Cooling Relief Act aims to expand and increase funding for a federal program that helps low-income families pay their heating and cooling bills. Currently, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) only reaches about 18% of eligible households. This bill would provide "such sums as may be necessary"—essentially unlimited federal funding—to help all eligible low-income households afford their energy costs, with a particular focus on expanding cooling assistance as heat waves become more common due to climate change.

## Who Benefits

The primary beneficiaries would be low-income and moderate-income families struggling to pay energy bills. The bill highlights that low-income households currently spend about 9% of their income on energy (compared to 3% for other households), and many are forced to choose between paying energy bills and buying food or medicine. The bill also aims to help the 21+ million households currently in debt to electric and gas utilities.

## Key Changes and Provisions

The bill makes several important changes:
- **Removes funding caps** so states can assist all eligible households, not just a limited number
- **Expands cooling assistance** specifically, since less than 3% of eligible households currently receive cooling help
- **Simplifies enrollment** by allowing presumed eligibility and waiving documentation requirements
- **Adds weatherization support** to help homes use less energy long-term
- **Strengthens outreach** by partnering with schools, energy suppliers, and community organizations to reach more eligible families