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Date: December 18, 1995 For Immediate Release Contact: Michael Kharfen, ACF, (202) 401-9215
"LIHEAP is a vital lifeline for low income families, senior citizens and persons with disabilities to stay safely in their own homes," said the President. "Without this essential support, many would be in danger or homeless."
Secretary Shalala noted that the budget impasse has made this year difficult for states because no HHS appropriation bill has yet been enacted. States normally draw the majority of their LIHEAP funds during the first half of the fiscal year. But th is year, Continuing Resolutions had enabled HHS to release only a portion of the yearly funds, thus hindering states in their ability to help families. In addition, the House of Representatives voted to eliminate LIHEAP while the Senate maintained the program, creating uncertainty as to total funding.
The new release of additional funding allows states to fully implement their winter heating programs. The Clinton Administration determined that HHS could allocate 81% of the $1 billion provided by advance appropriation under the FY 1995 appropria tion. This amount is consistent with the portion of total yearly LIHEAP spending which has been provided to states during the first six months in prior fiscal years.
"With this action, President Clinton is ensuring that millions of homes with children and senior citizens will be warm this winter," said Secretary Shalala. "I commend the more than a hundred members of Congress who also recognized the critical nee d for LIHEAP."
LIHEAP provides funds to help eligible families with fuel costs and weatherization to insulate homes. States determine eligibility and benefit levels. In 1994, within the more than 5.6 million households that received benefits, 1.6 million include d senior citizens, 1.1 million had a person with disabilities and 2.8 million were home to children under 18. States report that 70% of the households had incomes below $8,000 a year.
Following are the additional amounts being made available:
Alabama $ 4,675,393 Alaska 2,605,665 Arizona 2,050,285 Arkansas 3,578,620 California 24,988,565 Colorado 8,772,502 Connecticut 11,444,037 Delaware 1,518,977 District of Columbia 2,528,311 Florida 0 (Application not received) Georgia 5,867,305 Hawaii 0 (Application not received) Idaho 3,363,958 Illinois 31,675,120 Indiana 14,341,605 Iowa 10,164,088 Kansas 4,667,384 Kentucky 7,463,323 Louisiana 4,794,137 Maine 7,128,310 Maryland 8,762,555 Massachusetts 22,886,395 Michigan 29,961,295 Minnesota 21,665,715 Mississippi 4,014,132 Missouri 12,652,279 Montana 3,251,690 Nebraska 5,026,532 Nevada 1,065,257 New Hampshire 4,332,963 New Jersey 21,198,215 New Mexico 2,615,220 New York 98,659,154 North Carolina 10,231,785 North Dakota 5,155,985 Ohio 28,021,377 Oklahoma 3,940,142 Oregon 6,742,484 Pennsylvania 37,272,388 Rhode Island 3,753,820 South Carolina 3,724,742 South Dakota 2,717,800 Tennessee 7,560,186 Texas 12,345,788 Utah 3,996,261 Vermont 3,247,710 Virginia 10,673,772 Washington 10,721,653 West Virginia 4,939,047 Wisconsin 19,502,255 Wyoming 1,632,182Note: Additional amounts are made available to Indian tribes and territories. A separate $32.5 million is set aside as a leverage program to reward states that identify other funds to support the basic program.