Utah will receive $850,778 in emergency contingency funds to help families in need pay their heating and energy bills this winter, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt said Thursday.

The funding to Utah is part of $100 million in emergency contingency funds nationwide to states, tribes and territories that will help families in need pay their heating and energy bills this winter, the government said.

The funds are administered by the Administration for Children and Families through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Individuals interested in applying for LIHEAP assistance should contact their local/state LIHEAP agency. For more information, visit www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/liheap.