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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: HHS RELEASES ADDITIONAL $151.26 MILLION HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson today announced the release of $151.26 million in Low Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) funding. This brings to $1.76 billion the total amount granted to states so far during fiscal year 2003 to support assistance to low-income persons for their home energy costs. "We are giving states full access to the entire amount that Congress has provided for this fiscal year, and leaving it up to states to decide how much of their grant they wish to receive at this point in time," Secretary Thompson said. "This gives each state the maximum flexibility and support to use the funds that have been appropriated for this year in the manner they feel will serve their low-income families the best." As of today's distribution, 33 states will have received 90 percent or more of their fiscal year 2003 LIHEAP funding. "The cold weather and high energy prices make LIHEAP funding especially important this year," said Wade Horn, HHS assistant secretary for children and families. "We want states to have the resources to provide assistance to their low-income families immediately." LIHEAP helps more than 4 million low-income households each year deal with energy costs related to extreme cold and heat. States determine which low-income families receive LIHEAP support. Many of the families who benefit from the program include small children, senior citizens and persons with disabilities. The additional second quarter funds, and total funding so far this fiscal year -- including the $200 million contingency funding from January -- are as follows:
* State amounts do not include tribal set-asides The additional second quarter funds, and total funding so far can be viewed on the HHS Web site at http://www.hhs.gov/news. ### Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are available at www.hhs.gov/news.
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