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Date: Friday, August 14, 1998 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Michael Kharfen (202) 401-9215
President Clinton today directed the release of an additional $50 million in Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) emergency funds for 11 states that continue to experience extreme and life threatening hot weather. The 11 states are Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.
These states were previously awarded $100 million in emergency funds on July 23rd. They will receive additional funds while they continue to endure temperatures in excess of the normal weather for this time of year.
"The extreme heat wave continues to endanger the health and safety of our most vulnerable low income residents -- senior citizens, children and people with disabilities," said HHS Secretary Donna E. Shalala. "This critical support will help reduce the risks of serious harm and relieve potential further tragic loss of life."
States are expected to use the funds similarly to pay cooling bills, purchase air conditioners and provide other energy assistance to get through this summer's extreme heat. The amount of funds for each state is based upon the severity of the heat wave and the number of low income households in the state.
LIHEAP supports approximately 4 to 5 million households annually. Nearly half are families with children under 18, with senior citizens and person with disabilities as the remaining beneficiaries. Seventy percent of the households who receive LIHEAP funds have incomes below $8,000 per year.
The following is the amount of funds for each state: