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

WASHINGTON--(Business Wire)--
HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today 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.

Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are
available at http://www.hhs.gov/news.

ACF Press Office
202-401-9215

Copyright Business Wire 2009