The state Department of Human Resources is providing one-time heating assistance grants to approximately 20,000 Alabama families who are receiving welfare benefits through the agency’s Family Assistance Program, DHR Commissioner Page Walley announced.
"Each of these needy families will receive a one-time grant of $100 to help them cope with rising heating costs," Commissioner Walley said. "Gas rates have jumped 37 percent this winter," he noted.
The heating assistance grants are being provided in addition to the Family Assistance benefits that the families received earlier this month. The state’s welfare families receive an average of $190 in cash assistance each month.
"These one-time grants will be provided to families who received Family Assistance payments in January 2006 and continued to be eligible in February. Eligible recipients will be able to access the funds through their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) accounts on February 15," Commissioner Walley said.
Federal regulations specify that welfare funds are to be used to assist needy families with dependent children.