HHS releases more than $845 million to states to help low-income households with energy costs

December 22, 2011

News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 22, 2011
Contact: ACF Press Office
(202) 401-9215

More than $845 million is being released today by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to states to help low-income households with their heating and home energy costs under the Low Income Home 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 are struggling to make ends meet,” said George Sheldon, HHS acting assistant secretary for children and families. “We are making funds available today to help vulnerable families and seniors pay their heating bills and stay warm during this holiday season and into early 2012.”

LIHEAP assists low-income households, including families with children and seniors, with their home energy needs such as heating in the winter, cooling their homes in the summer, and insulating their homes to make them more energy efficient and reduce their energy costs. The $845 million in block grant funds released today is in addition to the $1.7 billion released to states since October 2011. Including the funds released today, states will have received a total of $2.581 billion in LIHEAP block funds for Fiscal Year 2012.

“There are low-income families, children and seniors across the country that need help paying to heat their homes,” said Jeannie Chaffin, director for the Office of Community Services. “We recognize the importance of getting these funds out quickly so that families can get the help they need during the winter.”

Individuals interested in applying for energy assistance should contact their local/state LIHEAP agency. For more information, go to /programs/ocs/programs/liheap or /programs/ocs/resource/liheap-brochures.


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Administration for Children & Families
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Washington, D.C. 20201

Phone: (202) 401-9215
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Email: media@acf.hhs.gov

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