(From Release by U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Service)More than $845 million is being released today by the U.S. Departmentof Health and Human Services (HHS) to states to help low-incomehouseholds with their heating and home energy costs under the Low IncomeHome Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
The continuing resolution currently in place allows HHS to release these funds to states,territories, tribes and the District of Columbia.
"Even as the economy shows signs of improvement, many Americans arestruggling to make ends meet," said George Sheldon, HHS actingassistant secretary for children and families. "We are making fundsavailable today to help vulnerable families and seniors pay theirheating bills and stay warm during this holiday season and into early 2012.
LIHEAP assists low-income households, including families with childrenand seniors, with their home energy needs such as heating in the winter,cooling their homes in the summer, and insulating their homes to makethem more energy efficient and reduce their energy costs. The $845million in block grant funds released today is in addition to the $1.7billion released to states since October 2011. Including the fundsreleased today, states will have received a total of $2.581 billion inLIHEAP block funds for Fiscal Year 2012.
"There are low-income families, children and seniors across thecountry that need help paying to heat their homes," said JeannieChaffin, director for the Office of Community Services. "We recognizethe importance of getting these funds out quickly so that families can get the help they need during the winter."
For a complete list of additional funds available to states today please visit: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/news/press/2011/2012LIHEAP845K.html
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