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States Get $100 Million More for Winter Energy Assistance to Low-Income

Feb. 1, 2005 - An additional $100 million in emergency funds will be provided to states, territories and tribes from the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which will help provide heating for low-income families, including many of the nation’s elderly.

Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt says the funds will provide states with extra assistance, over and above the $1.6 billion states have received this heating season and $100 million in emergency funds last December, to help low-income families pay their heating bills.

"The Bush Administration is making sure low-income families have the assistance they need to stay warm this winter," Secretary Leavitt said. "These funds will help those Americans with their heating bills."

Today's $100 million announcement uses contingency funds made available by the FY 2005 omnibus appropriations bill.

"Enduring cold spells across the nation this winter make this continued assistance a top priority of President Bush," said Dr. Wade F. Horn, HHS assistant secretary for children and families. "This much-needed aid will come as a relief to many low-income families."

Each year, LIHEAP helps more than 4.5 million low-income families pay the costs of heating their homes in the winter and cooling their homes in the summer.

Individuals interested in applying for LIHEAP assistance should contact their local/state LIHEAP agency or click on the agency directory at: www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/liheap/directry.htm. The directory can help people locate the state or tribal office that administers LIHEAP in communities across the country.

Allocation of $100m
in FY 2005
LIHEAP Additional Funds
[January 2005]