$1.2 billion more allocated to LIHEAP

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced the release of $1.2 billion to states to help low income citizens in the coming weeks with their heating bills.

These funds represent grants to states, tribes and territories under the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

“The release of these funds will assist millions of Americans who may not be in the position to afford heating costs during these cold winter months,” Secretary Sebelius said. “More low-income families will now have the chance to use their income for other necessities.”

LIHEAP helps eligible families pay the costs of heating and 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 ensure that states have resources available to support their energy assistance programs as the weather turns colder and the nation faces high unemployment rates.

“LIHEAP helps more than six million low-income households deal with energy costs,” said Carmen R. Nazario, assistant secretary for children and families. “We will continue to work with states, tribes and territories to assure their heating assistance programs work effectively.”

For a complete list of state allocations of the funds go to http://www.acf.hhs.gov/news/press/2010/liheap_2010.html.

Individuals interested in applying for energy assistance should contact their local/state LIHEAP agency. For more information, go to http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ocs/liheap/ or http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ocs/liheap/brochure/brochure.html.