U.S. Senator Jon Kyl sent a letter on Monday to the Secretary of Health & Human Services (HHS) urging the release of emergency federal funds in order to help low-income Arizona residents pay for energy costs.
To date, HHS has released a total of $2.47 billion in FY08 Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funds, of which Arizona has received only $8.7 million (0.4%). HHS must distribute $120 million in remaining emergency LIHEAP funds to the states before the end of the 2008 fiscal year (Sept. 30th).
Senator Kyl notes that a release of emergency LIHEAP money would be used to help needy families maintain, and, in some cases, restore cooling systems for their homes.
Kyl has been a longtime champion for a more fair distribution formula for LIHEAP funding, which would benefit lower-income residents in Arizona and other Sun Belt states.