Govt. Provides An Additional $1.2 Billion To Help Low-Income Households With Energy Costs

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen
Sebelius today 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 released today 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.


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DATE: Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Contact: ACF Press Office
(202) 401-9215