Even before winter’s arrival, Mainers are relying on heating assistance

Maine has spent a third of this season’s home heating assistance funding – a month ahead of schedule – to help low- and moderate-income residents fill their oil tanks. The distribution of the funds comes as oil prices continue to climb much higher than last winter. Maine typically receives about $40 million in heating assistance, which can come in various appropriations and helps between 35,000 to 40,000 households. This year, the agency is expecting about $42.5 million, including a $6.4 million boost from Congress when it passed the federal emergency supplemental funding package. The state released about $11 million in late October to help pay for early heating bills. Some Mainers will likely have to apply for assistance for the first time. . . .