On September 17, the Department of Health and Human
Service Secretary Micheal Leavitt announced the release of $121 million in
emergency LIHEAP funding to help offset home heating bills for low-income
individuals. A portion of the money - $96
million - will be distributed nationwide, while the remainder will go to states
who have a large number of individuals who depend on oil for heat.
According
to the National Energy Assistance Director's Association, the
national average cost to heat a home with oil this winter will be $2,524 -- up
from $1,962 last winter "This extra
money helps, but it is not nearly enough," said Mark Wolfe, the Association's
executive director.