News Release

HHS Provides $450 Million In Energy Assistance To Low-Income Families

HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt today announced the release of $450 million to help eligible low-income homeowners and renters meet home energy costs. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funds will provide states, territories, tribal areas and the District of Columbia with heating assistance for the winter months ahead.

"Shelter is a basic human need," Secretary Leavitt said. "These funds will enable states to make sure no one is left out in the cold."

LIHEAP helps eligible families pay for home cooling, heating and insulation in summer and winter months. Every year, more than five million low-income households across the country receive assistance under LIHEAP.

"The Bush Administration is committed to protecting the vulnerable," Daniel Schneider, acting assistant secretary for the Administration for Children and Families said. "This new release of funds will further ensure our low-income neighbors are able to keep warm no matter how cold winter becomes."

Including block grant allocations, the money released today through the LIHEAP contingency fund brings the total delivered to approximately $2.22 billion this fiscal year. $160 million remains available for unanticipated events in the emergency contingency fund.

For a complete list of state allocations of the funds released today go to: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/news/press/2008/liheap_allocations_2008.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/liheap/ or http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/liheap/brochure.html.

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Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are available at http://www.hhs.gov/news.

Last revised: December 31, 2008