Fact Sheet: Income Eligibility for LIHEAP Assistance February 19, 2000

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THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release February 19, 2000

Fact Sheet: Income Eligibility for LIHEAP Assistance
February 19, 2000
Today, HHS Secretary Donna Shalala encouraged the governors of eighteen states most seriously affected by increased home heating costs to take additional action in distributing federal assistance available under the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The letter encouraged these governors to use options available to them to expand the number of families in their states who can receive LIHEAP assistance and to use other funding sources that can provide additional assistance during this period.
The LIHEAP program helps pay for home heating oil bills for lower income families and can be released on an emergency basis by the President when circumstances warrant -- including severe weather or unusually high energy prices. Last week President Clinton released to states an additional $120 million in LIHEAP funds for a total of $295 million released this winter.
LIHEAP is a federally funded program and LIHEAP funds are distributed by states. States have wide latitude in choosing the maximum income threshold for eligible families, using guidelines that are set by federal law. Many states have not chosen the highest income threshold available to them. In order to provide increased LIHEAP assistance, the administration is urging governors to consider using the maximum income threshold available as they confront this situation with all federal, state, and local resources available to them.

STATE Current State Income
Eligibility Standard Maximum Income
Threshold
Alaska 29,232 34,484
Connecticut 25,050 43,624
Delaware 25,050 37,903
Maine 20,875 28,826
Marylamd 20,050 39,905
Massachusetts 29,225 39,007
Minnesota 30,289 36,346
New Hampshire 26,991 35,989
New Jersey 25,050 40,401
New York 25,050 33,547
North Carolina 18,370 31,074
North Dakota 25,050 28,153
Pennsylvania 18,370 33,232
Rhode Island 29,225 37,203
South Carolina 20,875 29,796
South Dakota 23,380 28,099
Vermont 20,875 31,088
Virginia 21,710 34,230

STATE	Current State Income Eligibility Standard	Maximum Income Threshold
Alaska	29,232	34,484
Connecticut	25,050	43,624
Delaware	25,050	37,903
Maine	20,875	28,826
Marylamd	20,050	39,905
Massachusetts	29,225	39,007
Minnesota	30,289	36,346
New Hampshire	26,991	35,989
New Jersey	25,050	40,401
New York	25,050	33,547
North Carolina	18,370	31,074
North Dakota	25,050	28,153
Pennsylvania	18,370	33,232
Rhode Island	29,225	37,203
South Carolina	20,875	29,796
South Dakota	23,380	28,099
Vermont	20,875	31,088
Virginia	21,710	34,230

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THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary