HHS Increases Total LIHEAP Funding Available to Help Low-Income Families to $3.9 Billion

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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius recently announced the availability of additional funding to help eligible low-income families meet their home energy needs, bringing the total made available since October 1 to $3.9 billion.  These funds will go to states, tribes and territories under the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and are available under the terms of the latest continuing resolution. 

LIHEAP assists qualified families 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.

These block grant funds will supplement two previous releases of funds under continuing resolutions in Fiscal Year 2011.  A complete list of funds available to states today can be accessed at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/news/press/2011/liheap_allocation.html

Individuals interested in applying for energy assistance should contact their local/state LIHEAP agency.  For more information, please go to: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ocs/liheap/ or http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ocs/liheap/brochure/brochure.html   

HHS Provides More Than $2.6 Billion to States to Help Low-Income Households with Energy Costs

HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced the release of more than $2.6 billion to states to help low income citizens with their heating bills during October, November and December of this year. These funds represent grants to states, tribes and territories under the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

"By releasing this money now, we are helping to provide needed assistance to millions of Americans who otherwise might not be able to afford heat this winter," Secretary Sebelius said. "This program helps to offset seasonal energy costs for low income families, leaving more of their income to use for other necessities."

LIHEAP helps eligible families pay the costs of heating and insulating their homes in the winter, and cooling their homes in the summer. HHS is releasing such a large allocation of LIHEAP funds now in order to ensure that states have resources available to support their energy assistance programs as the weather turns colder.

"Each year LIHEAP helps more than five million low income households deal with energy costs," said Carmen Nazario, assistant secretary for children and families. "We will continue to work with states, tribes and territories to assure their heating assistance programs work effectively."

For a complete list of state allocations of the funds released today go to http://www.acf.hhs.gov/news/press/2009/liheap_2010.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/ocs/liheap/brochure/brochure.html.

More Than Five Billion Dollars Released Under LIHEAP

HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt has announced the release of $5.1 billion from the federal government's Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program(LIHEAP) under the Fiscal Year 2009 Continuing Resolution. The funds will assist states, territories, tribal areas and the District of Columbia with addressing their energy needs, particularly for the upcoming winter season. "The release of these funds will help low-income families stay warm this winter," Secretary Leavitt said. "These funds will also help reduce the risk of health and safety problems exacerbated by exposure to extreme temperatures." LIHEAP funding is provided to states through the Office of Community Services in the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) at HHS.The funds will assist eligible low-income households in meeting their heating and other energy needs. "The funds released by the Bush Administration will help our most vulnerable citizens, including the disabled, elderly and children," said Josephine Robinson, director, Office of Community Services at ACF. Under the language of the Continuing Resolution, $4.5 billion in block grant funds and $590 million contingency funds must be released by Oct.30, 2008. Block grant funds will be allocated to states under a formula specified in the Continuing Resolution. Of the $590 million in contingency funds, $100 million will assist states where large numbers of eligible households use heating oil for heat: Alaska, Connecticut,Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. The remaining $490 million will help individuals in all 50 states. For a complete list of state allocations of the funds released today go to: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/news/press/2008/liheap_allocations_fy2009.htm. 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.

HHS Provides $121 Million in Energy Assistance

HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt today announced the release of $121 million in energy assistance to help eligible low-income households meet home energy costs. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funds are expected to provide states with heating assistance for the winter months ahead. Of the $121 million, $96 million will go to help individuals heat or cool their homes in all 50 states, territories, tribal areas and the District of Columbia. An additional $25 million under LIHEAP will assist the following states identified as having large numbers of eligible households that use oil to heat their homes: Alaska, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont. “This assistance with home heating costs will help ensure the safety of those individuals most in need, including children, the elderly and the disabled,” said Daniel Schneider, acting assistant secretary for the Administration for Children and Families. The funds released today bring the total delivered under LIHEAP to approximately $2.59 billion this fiscal year. For a complete list of state allocations of the funds released today go to: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/news/press/2008/liheap_contingency_fund_release.html#primary. 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.

S. 3323: A bill to provide weatherization and home heating assistance to low income households

A bill to provide weatherization and home heating assistance to low income households, and to provide a heating oil tax credit for middle income households. Sponsor: Sen. Judd Gregg [R-NH] Status: Introduced Jul 24, 2008

Senate Republicans block heating aid bill

By MATT YANCEY The Associated Press Saturday, July 26, 2008; 10:52 PM Republicans on Saturday blocked the Senate from considering a bill next week that would nearly double federal aid to help the poor pay heating and air-conditioning bills. Although a dozen Senate Republicans support the measure, most voted with GOP leaders who would rather spend the time trumpeting their call to expand offshore oil drilling before Congress takes six weeks off for vacation and the presidential nominating conventions.

S 3279 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program

A bill to provide funding for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, and to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to deny the deduction for income attributable to domestic production of oil, gas, or primary products thereof for major integrated oil companies.

Sponsor: Sen. Judd Gregg [R-NH] Status: Introduced Jul 17, 2008

The bill has been referred to the following committees: Senate Finance

Application Requirements for the Low Income Home Energy

States, including the District of Columbia, Tribes, tribal organizations and territories applying for LIHEAP block grant funds must submit an annual application (Model Plan) that meets the LIHEAP statutory and regulatory requirements prior to receiving Federal funds. A detailed application must be submitted every 3 years. Abbreviated applications may be submitted in alternate years. There have been no changes in the Model Plan.