WASHINGTON, DC -- In an effort to help tens of thousands of Rhode Island families and seniors who are struggling with high energy prices, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) today announced that Rhode Island will receive $38.8 million for Low-Income Housing Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) in fiscal year 2009, including $8.4 million in contingency funding. This is an increase of nearly $18 million over Rhode Island's regular funding level.

The funding will be distributed under the terms of the Continuing Resolution (CR), which keeps the federal government funded when annual spending bills are not passed. The total funding allocated for LIHEAP for fiscal year 2009 is a record $5.1 billion, an increase of more than $2.5 billion from last year.

"I am pleased that we were able to secure this increase for LIHEAP in this spending package. This is great news for Rhode Island. It will help thousands of hard working families and seniors who are reeling from high energy prices," said Reed, who has led the bipartisan charge to increase funding for this vital program.

LIHEAP is a federal block grant program that provides states with annual funding to operate home energy assistance programs for low-income households. Last year, 5.8 million lower-income households nationwide, including nearly 30,000 in Rhode Island, relied on LIHEAP to assist with the costs of heating and cooling their homes.

Senator Reed secured over $20 million in regular and emergency LIHEAP funding for Rhode Island in fiscal year 2008.