HHS releases additional LIHEAP funds

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced the release of $1.2 billion tostates to help low income citizens in the coming weeks with their heatingbills. These funds represent grants to states, tribes and territories under theLow-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The release of these funds will assist millions ofAmericans who may not be in the position to afford heating costs during thesecold winter months,” Secretary Sebelius said. “More low-incomefamilies will now have the chance to use their income for othernecessities.” 

LIHEAP helps eligible families pay the costs of heatingand insulating their homes in the winter and cooling their homes in the summer.HHS is releasing such a large allocation of LIHEAP funds now in order to ensurethat states have resources available to support their energy assistanceprograms as the weather turns colder and the nation faces high unemploymentrates.LIHEAP helps more than six million low-incomehouseholds deal with energy costs,” said Carmen R. Nazario, assistantsecretary for children and families. “We will continue to work withstates, tribes and territories to assure their heating assistance programs workeffectively.”

For a complete list of state allocations of the fundsreleased today go to http://www.acf.hhs.gov/news/press/2010/liheap_2010.html.Individuals interested in applying for energy assistanceshould contact their local/state LIHEAP agency. For more information, go to http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ocs/liheap/http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ocs/liheap/brochure/brochure.html.