R.I. receives emergency heating funds

WASHINGTON — Rhode Island will receive nearly $2.5 million in emergency funding to help low and fixed income families pay their home bills this winter, as part of national emergency funding of $300 million from the Low Income Home Energy Assistant Program (LIHEAP). Sen. Jack Reed, D-RI, said the program helps some 5.6 million low-income households nationwide. Overall Rhode Island has received $13 million in LIHEAP funding for this heating season, out of the agency’s $1.4 billion budget.