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HHS Releases $450 Million in Emergency Contingency Funds

The Department of Health and Human Services announced January 16, the release of $450 million in FY 2008 LIHEAP emergency contingency funds. These funds are being allocated to ALL states to help low-income households cope with the high costs for fuel this winter, particularly for those states that are largely dependent on heating oil.

Three criteria were used to allocate the $450 million:

• $150 million is being distributed to all states based on their regular block grant allocation formula percentage. 
  

• $250 million is being directed to 26 states that had (a) 60 percent or more of its low-income households using heating oil, propane and natural gas for heat and (b) an average temperature at or below 39 degrees for the period from November 1, 2006 to March 31, 2007. The $250 million will be allocated to the 26 states based on their regular block grant allocation formula percentage weighted by the relative percentage of households in each state that uses heating oil, propane and natural gas for heat. 
  

• $50 million is being directed to 11 states that had 20 percent or more of its low-income households using heating oil for heat. The $50 million will be allocated to the 11 states based on their regular block grant allocation formula percentage weighted by the relative percentage of households in each state that uses heating oil for heat. 

The tribes will receive the same percentage of contingency funds equal to their block grant allocation for FY 2008.  Territories will also receive funds from this distribution.

States, tribes and territories receiving a share of the $450 million must obligate at least 90% of these funds before September 30, 2008.

Approximately $160 million in LIHEAP contingency funds remain available for use in FY 2008. 

See detailed tables of state, tribe and territory allocations.

Source: HHS

Page Last Updated: January 27, 2010