U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall (D-WV) announced the release of $1,356,760 from LIHEAP, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, supported by Rahall, to help West Virginia's seniors and working families keep the heat on this winter.

"This winter, Americans using heating oil will pay more than $2,000 per family - over three times the 2001 costs," said Rahall. "As temperatures drop well below freezing across southern West Virginia this weekend, it will come as welcome news to many in my district that help for heating bills is on the way."

This year, LIHEAP provided nearly $450 million in energy assistance funding to states, territories, tribal areas, and the District of Columbia to help eligible families pay for home cooling, heating, and insulation. Every year, more than five million low-income households across the country receive assistance under LIHEAP.

"For millions of Americans bracing to face harsh winter conditions, the lack of adequate home heating presents a life-threatening crisis," said Rahall. "This funding aims to ensure that no senior or hard-working West Virginian is left out in the cold when faced with record energy prices and a slowing economy."

The 110th Congress included $2.6 billion in LIHEAP funding in the 2008 Omnibus Appropriations Bill recently enacted - a $400 million increase over last year.