WASHINGTON (Sept. 22, 2008)—Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) Secretary Mike Leavitt on Wednesday, Sept. 17, announced that Maryland will be given $1,535,360 in emergency energy assistance. The funds from the federal government’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) will provide states, territories, tribal areas and the District of Columbia with heating assistance for the upcoming winter months.
LIHEAP funding is administered to states through the Office of Community Services in the Administration for Children and Families under HHS. These funds will assist eligible low-income households in meeting their heating, insulation or cooling needs.
The funds released through the LIHEAP contingency fund brings the total delivered to approximately $2.59 billion this fiscal year.
A total of $121 million nationally is being released for energy assistance.
Maryland citizens interested in applying for energy assistance should contact the Maryland Department of Social Service in their county. Individuals can also apply online at the Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP) website: http://www.dhr.state.md.us/how/energy/meap.htm .
Source: Department of Health & Human Services