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1994.02.18 : Release of LIHEAP Funds 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE              Contact:  David Siegel
Friday, Feb. 18, 1994                        (202) 401-9215

     HHS RELEASES $300 MILLION EMERGENCY COLD WEATHER FUNDS

     HHS Secretary Donna E. Shalala today released $300 million of
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program contingency funds to
states hit by unusually harsh weather this winter.  The release of
funds was made immediately following an emergency declaration by
President Clinton.

     "The President's action today enables us to give help quickly
to those who were hit hardest and who need it the most," said
Secretary Shalala.  "The unusually cold weather has created an
emergency for many Americans."

     The monies made available today were part of a contingency
fund to be released upon the President's designation of an
emergency under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control
Act of 1985, as amended.  In the 1994 Emergency Supplemental
Appropriations bill, Congress authorized the President to target
$300 million to states experiencing emergency needs.

     The emergency funds will be distributed to states that
experienced in January more than 100 heating degree days in excess
of their 30-year averages.  The amount that each state will receive
will be based on the number of heating degree days above that
threshold and the state's low income population.

     "We are pleased that President Clinton has taken this action,
which will enable states to meet critical needs caused by the
extended period of record-breaking cold that struck these states,"
Assistant Secretary for Children and Families Mary Jo Bane said. 
"Because of the urgency of the situation, we are prepared to issue
grant awards very quickly so that affected low income households
can receive the help they need."

     Affected states are:

Connecticut                   $ 5,395,219
Delaware                          286,478
Illinois                       12,019,466
Indiana                         2,325,128
Iowa                            8,054,083
Kentucky                        5,341,115
Maine                           8,104,664
Maryland                        6,631,189
Massachusetts                  13,880,163
Michigan                       48,845,949
Minnesota                      37,399,847
New Hampshire                   3,147,664
New Jersey                      6,944,103
New York                       61,460,518
North Dakota                    8,102,045
Ohio                           23,927,448
Pennsylvania                   20,483,114
Rhode Island                    1,727,532
South Dakota                    1,994,310
Vermont                         4,798,863
Virginia                          678,471
West Virginia                   3,732,291
Wisconsin                     $14,720,338