Last Frida y and Saturday, President Clinton declared North Dakota and South Dakota, respectively, national disaster areas due to the extreme winter storms. These emergency funds will help alleviate the suffering and potential effect s of life threatening cold on low-income families and individuals.
States determine eligibility and benefit levels.
The President determines when an emergency warrants the release of these funds. The tribes have been significantly impacted by the severe cold weather. The housing stock on the reservations is generally poor and more costly to heat. Also, many tribal households rely on propane which is at least 60 percent more expensive tha n at this time last year. Of the more than 5.6 million households that received benefits in 1994, 1.6 million were home to senior citizens, 1.1 million were home to a person with disabilities, and 2.8 million were home to children under 18.