AUGUSTA (AP) – A $500 billion catchall spending bill that was near final approval in Congress includes hundreds of millions more in home heating assistance, which would come as a relief to Mainers who depend on the federal program to keep their homes warm.

The budget bill that was emerging seeks to fund the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance program at $2.6 billion, or $409 million above the previous year’s level.

Maine officials intend to seek $20 million to $25 million more for Maine’s share of LIHEAP funding this season. A $25 million increase would in effect double the state’s current allocation.

Jo-Ann Choate, who administers LIHEAP for the Maine State Housing Authority, said the additional money would barely make up for the sharp increase in heating fuel since last year.

U.S. Sen. Susan Collins said Maine’s increase is likely to be in the range of an additional $10 million to $20 million, “but I am optimistic that we’ll see significant additional funding for this winter and that’s going to be of enormous help.”

Collins, R-Maine, said she believes the increase would be large enough to allow for more families to be served in addition helping offset the increase in fuel prices.

Michaud described the increased LIHEAP funding as “a starting point.”

“The skyrocketing price of home heating is stretching household budgets in Maine beyond the breaking point,” the 2nd District congressman said.

The average fuel aid benefit in Maine has been $579, which would only last most families about a month. About 37,000 Maine households have applied for fuel aid so far, but officials were expecting that figure to rise to 48,000 to 51,000 before winter ends.

AP-ES-12-17-07 1404EST