\ With the first real surge of winter weather in Alabama last week, Gov. Kay Ivey is awarding $37.3 million in grants to ensure that many of Alabama’s neediest families are prepared for the cold weather.

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program grants, issued to 21 community service agencies throughout the state, provide funds to help eligible low-income families with home-energy-related expenses. In the winter, the program helps eligible households afford the energy required to heat their houses.

Residents apply for assistance to local community service agencies who determine eligibility based on income, family size and available resources.

The Southeast Alabama Community Action Partnership Inc. (Barbour, Coffee, Geneva, Henry and Houston counties) received $1.9 million in funding.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provided the funds.

 

, which are administered by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grants.