FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Thursday, July 23, 1998
Contact: Michael Kharfen, (202) 401-9215
HHS RELEASES $100 MILLION IN EMERGENCY COOLING ASSISTANCE
President Clinton today directed HHS Secretary Donna E. Shalala to release $100 million in Low Income Home Emergency Assistance Program (LIHEAP) emergency funds for 11 states currently experiencing extremely hot weather.
"In times of human crisis, we have an obligation to act to strengthen the ties that bind us as one nation," said the President. "When smothering heat threatens the lives of people, we can step in, and that is what I am doing today."
The 11 states are: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas.
"The heat wave striking several southern and southwestern states has taken a tragic toll in the deaths of over 100 people. The whole nation is saddened by this loss of life. Many of our most vulnerable low income residents -- senior citizens, children and people with disabilities -- are in danger of serious health risks," said Secretary Shalala. "The federal government can help and help we will."
States can use the funds to pay cooling bills, buy air conditioners or fans, or other means of assistance to help low income families and individuals. The $100 million is allocated to the 11 states most affected by the extreme heat, based on the severity of the heat wave and the number of low-income households in the state, as well as consideration of other resources available to assist in dealing with the situation.
LIHEAP supports approximately 4 to 5 million households annually. Nearly half are families with children under 18, with senior citizens and person with disabilities as the remaining beneficiaries. Seventy percent of the households had incomes below $8,000 per year.
The following is the amount of funds for each state:
| Alabama | $5,621,578 |
| Arkansas | 3,709,495 |
| Florida | 17,745,568 |
| Georgia | 8,836,164 |
| Louisiana | 6,225,452 |
| Mississippi | 2,973,613 |
| North Carolina | 6,995,987 |
| Oklahoma | 4,343,956 |
| South Carolina | 4,927,179 |
| Tennessee | 5,898,457 |
| Texas | 32,722,551 |
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Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are
available at http://www.hhs.gov/news.
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