TAHLEQUAH, Okla.—The Department of Health and Human Services released additional LIHEAP funds to the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma (UKB) January 3.

The $96,656 award was added to the allocation for fiscal-year 2012 accumulating to a total of $210,239 for the tribe.

This is approximately half of what was awarded in previous years as the White House recommended cutting LIHEAP funding for fiscal-year 2012 from the congressionally-approved $5.1 billion to $2.57 billion. 

"While we definitely appreciate the additional money, it's still disappointing that Congress chose to cut this vital program that so many of our tribal members depend on," said Bryan Shade, executive director of Tribal Operations. "We continue to hope that more awards are approved by Congress in the future."

In fiscal-year 2011, the UKB expended $410,775 in LIHEAP funds to 2,032 tribal members.