LONG-AWAITED HEATING ASSISTANCE RELEASED TO STATES AND TRIBES

Approximately $3.6-billion in delayed funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, was released Friday to states and tribes.  The National Energy Assistance Directors Association says that the federal funding, which helps millions of low-income households pay to heat and cool their homes, had been held up during the beginning of the cold-weather season because of the federal government shutdown which ended November 12.  States typically receive their allocations at the beginning of November.   Roughly 68% of LIHEAP households also receive SNAP food benefits.  Department of Health and Human Services  officials say that while Friday’s funding release is welcome news, the need for assistance remains enormous, especially given rising energy prices.