(Washington D.C.)  Congresswoman Cathy McMorris (WA-05) announced today that the Department of Health and Human Services will provide Washington State with $776,538 in emergency funds for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

“This funding will make a big difference for Eastern Washington families,” said McMorris. “As energy costs continue to rise, this extra funding will allow families in need to pay their heating and energy bills. While this one-time funding will provide short-term relief, we must continue to look for long-term solutions that will increase and diversify our domestic energy supply.”

Last year, Congress appropriated $2.183 billion in the Labor HHS Appropriations Bill and $2 billion the Defense Appropriations Bill for LIHEAP assistance. The House Passed Deficit Reduction Act Conference Report also included an additional $1 billion for LIHEAP funding.

LIHEAP is a block grant program that allows states to operate multi-component home energy assistance programs for low-income households. The Department of Health and Human Services today released a total of $100 million in emergency contingency funds nationwide to states, tribes, and territories. Each year, almost 5 million low-income households across the country receive LIHEAP assistance.