The federal government has released $109,000 in emergency contingency funding to help eligible low-income homeowners and renters meet their home energy needs in Hawaii.

Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program contingency funds provide states, territories, tribes and the District of Columbia with additional assistance to pay heating and cooling costs.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said yesterday that the funding is allocated to states based on their regular block grant allocations.

The program helps eligible families pay for home heating and cooling costs, as well as helping weatherize homes. In recent years, more than 8 million low-income households across the country receive assistance under the program.