WASHINGTON, DC -- In an effort to help the elderly, low-income families, and disabled individuals pay their heating bills, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) today announced that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will release $79.9 million in Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) contingency funds. Of this amount, the State of Rhode Island will receive $1,550,154. LIHEAP is a federal block grant program that provides states with annual funding to operate home energy assistance programs for low-income households. Many low-income families do not have adequate resources to pay their energy bills. This money will be a real help for many families and seniors who continue to struggle with record high energy prices, said Reed. LIHEAP can provide life-saving assistance to help the elderly and disabled pay their energy bills. Each year, almost 5 million low-income families rely on LIHEAP to assist with the costs of heating and/or cooling their homes.