Low-Income Energy Assistance Program

In fiscal year 1981, Congress appropriated $1.85 billion for home heating assistance to help low-income households meet rapidly rising energy costs. Eligibility for payments was based on income and energy-cost criteria. This procedure represented a departure from the earlier Federal focus of assisting households facing emergency hardships. Funds for the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program were allocated to the 50 States and District of Columbia, six territories, and 55 Indian tribal organizations. This article presents program data and information on the characteristics of the more than 17 million persons who received aid under this program.