[20030127]94-211EPW_低收入家庭能源援助计划（LIHEAP）.pdf

Congressional Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS WebOrder Code 94-211 EPWUpdated January 27, 2003The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)Emilie StoltzfusAnalyst in Social LegislationDomestic Social Policy DivisionSummaryThe Low-Income Home Energy Assistance program (LIHEAP), established in 1981by Title XXVI of P.L. 97-35 and currently authorized through FY2004, is a block grantprogram under which the federal government gives states and other jurisdictions annualgrants to operate home energy assistance programs for low-income households. Themost current Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) data show an estimated3.9 million households received winter heating/crisis assistance in FY2000. Accordingto a survey done by the National Energy Assistance Directors Association (whichrepresents state LIHEAP directors), the number of households receiving winter heatingassistance reached 5 million in FY2001 but declined to 4.4 million in FY2002. On January 24, HHS released $200 million in LIHEAP contingency funds inresponse to increased home heating oil prices. All states received the funds, which wereprimarily allocated