Heitkamp Announces over $22 Million in Federal Funding to Help ND Seniors, Families, and Native American Communities Heat their Homes
WASHINGTON, D.C. (RealEstateRama) — U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp announced more than $22 million in federal assistance to help low-income North Dakota families, seniors, and folks in Native American communities heat their homes this winter season.
“Winter is fast approaching in North Dakota and all of us understand the need to properly prepare ourselves and our families from the frigid low temperatures,” said Heitkamp. “Heating our homes is not an option during the winter months in North Dakota, but when folks don’t have the financial security they need to keep their homes warm they are then put at risk of below zero temperatures. This federal funding will help folks across the state and in Indian Country afford to heat their homes to keep their families safe, and I encourage those who may need the assistance to learn more about how to apply for this support.”
These federal funds used to offset heating and energy costs this winter season will be distributed as follows:
- North Dakota: $17,341,807
- Turtle Mountain Chippewa Band: $2,053,635
- Standing Rock Sioux Tribe: $1,584,065
- Spirit Lake Tribe: $1,140,908
- Three Affiliated Tribes: $912,727
The funding is made available through the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Heitkamp has been committed to making sure federal assistance for heating during the brutally cold winter months is made available to those who need it. Earlier this year, Heitkamp urged her Senate colleagues to fully fund LIHEAP, so that families in North Dakota and across the country have the certainty of heating their homes when they need it the most.
North Dakotans can learn more about home heating assistance eligibility and apply for assistance by clicking here. Eligible families outside Indian reservations must apply directly to the State of North Dakota to receive LIHEAP funding. For eligible families living on Indian reservations, their tribes need to directly apply to the State of North Dakota to receive LIHEAP funding, which is then distributed to those on the reservation who qualify. To ask questions or to receive help filling out an application, individuals not living on Indian reservations can contact their local County Social Service Office. Individuals living on Indian reservations can contact their local tribal offices.
LIHEAP is a block grant program under which the federal government gives annual grants to states, territories, and Indian tribal organizations to operate home energy assistance programs for needy households. The program receives funding from two sources: contingency funds and regular funds. Contingency funds are allocated to states at the discretion of the President and the Secretary of Health and Human Services. These funds may be released at any point in the fiscal year to provide additional home energy assistance. Regular funds are allocated in the annual appropriations bill.
