Arizona low income families receive $623,047 in energy assistance from LIHEAP

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Mike Leavitt recently announced the release of $623,047, which includes $46,995 for tribes, to help eligible low-income homeowners and renters in Arizona meet home energy costs. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funds will provide states, territories, tribal areas and the District of Columbia with heating assistance for the winter months ahead.

"Shelter is a basic human need," Secretary Leavitt said. "These funds will enable Arizona residents to make sure no one is left out in the cold."

LIHEAP helps eligible families pay for home cooling, heating and insulation in summer and winter months. Every year, more than 5 million low-income households across the country receive assistance under LIHEAP.

"The Bush Administration is committed to protecting the vulnerable citizens of Arizona," Daniel Schneider, acting assistant secretary for the Administration for Children and Families said. "This new release of funds will further ensure our low-income neighbors are able to keep warm no matter how cold winter becomes."

Including block grant allocations, the money released today through the LIHEAP contingency fund brings the total delivered to approximately $2.22 billion this fiscal year. $160 million remains available for unanticipated events in the emergency contingency fund.

A total of $450 million nationally is being released for energy assistance.  For a complete list of state allocations of the funds released go to www.acf.hhs.gov/news/press/2008/liheap_allocations_2008.html.

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