Examining Barriers To Access LIHEAP For Households In The Twin City Counties
The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federally funded initiative aimed at helping low-income households manage energy costs, especially in cold-weather states like Minnesota where heating is a basic necessity. Despite its critical role, participation remains low, with only about 18% of eligible households in Minnesota enrolled. This research examines barriers to LIHEAP participation in the Twin Cities through interviews with local LIHEAP officials, situating these findings within the context of existing national literature. By analyzing these interviews alongside national research, this study explores whether commonly identified barriers are consistent at the county level. It also investigates variations in program access and implementation between counties within the Twin Cities metro area. This comparative analysis offers insight into how localized experiences of LIHEAP may differ from national trends and each other, shaping a more nuanced understanding of the program’s uptake challenges.