More Than Five Billion Dollars Released Under LIHEAP

GFP Note: Georgia will receive over $80,000,000 under this program.

HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt today 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.

-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page

News to Use in Fayetteville, Atlanta, Athens, Peachtree City and all of Georgia

Georgia To Receive Over $1 Million to Help Low-Income Households with Energy Costs

GFP Note: Georgia will receive $1,028,059 to assist eligible low-income households meet energy costs.

HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt announced September 17th 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.

“The release of these funds will address the energy emergencies low-income families face during the upcoming cold winter months,” Secretary Leavitt said.

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.

Individuals interested in applying for energy assistance should contact their local/state/ LIHEAP agency. For more information, click here.

-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page

News to Use in Fayetteville, Atlanta, Peachtree City, Valdosta and all of Georgia