ND gets another $3.4 million for home heating aid

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) -- North Dakota is getting more federal money to help low-income people heat their homes.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has released another $439 million nationwide for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, better known as LIHEAP. North Dakota is getting $3.4 million in the latest allocation, bringing the state's total award for the heating season up to $25.7 million. That compares with $23.7 million last winter.

Carol Cartledge is director of North Dakota's Economic Assistance Policy Division. She says federal officials often look at additional LIHEAP appropriations midwinter. She says the money will be enough to meet the needs of the 10,000 or so North Dakotans who have applied for help.

U.S. Sens. John Hoeven and Heidi Heitkamp issued statements praising the decision by HHS.