The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released more than $845 million to states on Dec. 22 to help low-income households with their heating and home energy costs, as part of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
“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.”
The heating program helps low-income households, including families with seniors, with their home energy needs. This encompasses air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter, in addition to insulating homes to make them more energy efficient and reduce energy costs.
The $845 million grant comes in addition to the $1.7 billion that has been released to states since October 2011, bringing the total states have received to $2.581 billion in LIHEAP block funds for fiscal year 2011.
Written by Alyssa Gerace
