WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Millions of poor and disadvantaged Americans could face trouble accessing funds for home heating starting next month due to the government shutdown, lawmakers from both parties and nonprofit groups said on Wednesday.

The shutdown, now in its 29th day, is preventing states from receiving about $3.6 billion under the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, run by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The funds help families pay winter heating and summer cooling bills, with about 80% used in the winter months.

States typically receive their allocations in late October or November, and the funds are distributed to households in November and December.

U.S. Representative Brian Fitzpatrick, a Republican from Pennsylvania, called on Health Secret

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