Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced the release of $50,257,301 to the state of California to help low income citizens with their heating bills during October, November and December of this year. These funds represent grants to states, tribes and territories under the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

"By releasing this money now, we are helping to provide needed assistance to those individuals in California who otherwise might not be able to afford heat this winter," Secretary Sebelius said. "This program helps to offset seasonal energy costs for low income families, leaving more of their income to use for other necessities."

LIHEAP helps eligible families pay the costs of heating and insulating their homes in the winter, and cooling their homes in the summer. HHS is releasing such a large allocation of LIHEAP funds now in order to ensure that states have resources available to support their energy assistance programs as the weather turns colder. "Each year LIHEAP helps more than five million low-income households deal with energy costs," said Carmen R. Nazario, assistant secretary for children and families. "We will continue to work with California to assure their heating assistance programs work effectively."

For a complete list of state allocations of the funds released today go to http://www.acf.hhs.gov/news/press/2009/liheap_2010.html.

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