HHS releases $686,000 in emergency funding to South Carolina for energy assistance
September 20, 2010
SOUTH CAROLINA – September 20, 2010 – U.S. Department of Health andHuman Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced the releaseof $686,751 in emergency contingency funding to help eligible low-incomehomeowners and renters meet their home energy needs in South Carolina.These Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) contingencyfunds will provide states, territories, tribes and the District ofColumbia with additional assistance to pay heating and cooling costs.Funds will be allocated to all states based on their regular (old) blockgrant allocations.
“During these times of economic uncertainty, far too many Americans facedifficulties affording the basics, such as utilities” said HHSSecretary Sebelius. “The release of these funds will help ease thoseworries, and assure individuals in South Carolina, particularly thosewith the lowest incomes that pay a high proportion of household incomefor home energy, that they will not be left behind during the coldwinter months ahead.”
LIHEAP helps eligible families pay for home heating and cooling costs,as well as helping weatherize eligible families’ homes. In recent years,more than eight million low-income households across the countryreceive assistance under LIHEAP.
As part of this Administration’s effort to maximize federal funds, thedepartment has focused on strengthening the program’s operations andensuring integrity at every level. Earlier this year, HHS requestedstrategic plans from each state to outline their tactics for improvingefficiency and integrity in LIHEAP programs. Those plans, having allnow been received, are being reviewed to make sure states are usingeffective program management and improper-payment-prevention strategiesto ensure these funds are reaching the families who need them most.
The contingency funds released today are in addition to the $4.5 billionin LIHEAP block grant funding and the $490 million in emergencycontingency funds received by states earlier this year. Funds releasedtoday are the remaining from FY 2010 LIHEAP contingency fund availablefor this fiscal year.
In total, Congress appropriated $5.1 billion for LIHEAP in Fiscal Year2010. “We are releasing these funds at a time when many Americans arestruggling to find jobs and make ends meet as our economy begins torecover. These funds will help many families and seniors in SouthCarolina heat their homes in the coming winter,” said David A. Hansell,HHS acting assistant secretary for children and families.
For a complete list of state allocations of the funds released today visit http://www.acf.hhs.gov/news/press/2010/liheap_100m_2010.html.
Individuals interested in applying for energy assistance should contacttheir local/state LIHEAP agency. For more information go to http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ocs/liheap/ or http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ocs/liheap/brochure/brochure.html.
