FARMINGTON – A heating oil fund created by area churches helped more families this past winter; and though spending was up, fewer gallons were provided because of increases in the cost of oil.

It’s likely to be even worse this coming winter, as prices continue to climb.

Records showed the Ecumenical Heating Fund provided 7,100 gallons of oil to low-income people during the 2005-06 season but only 5,325 gallons this past winter.

The fund helped 83 households in 12 Franklin County towns over the past winter.

Final reports for the heating season show that $18,110 was spent to give families emergency fuel assistance, fund administrator Tania Gage said Thursday.

Most received only a 50-gallon delivery rather than the 100 gallons given in previous years, said the Rev. Susan Crane, who accepts donations for the heating fund.

The fund balance at the end of the heating season was $1,933, at today’s oil prices enough to help approximately five families next fall before state and federal heating assistance money arrives, she said, expressing concern for people who will face problems in the fall.

“Oil is just a small part of it. A single person, retired or disabled, may have an income of $657 or $850 a month to live on,” she said. “Some receive food stamps, but at current oil prices, 100 gallons of oil could cost $450 to $500. They still have light and phone bills, insurances, medications. It’s frightening to think about how they can do it.”

When people request help with fuel the ecumenical fund’s 50 gallon delivery can help them get by until they can apply for fuel assistance, Gage said. Her concern is for people who have incomes just above fuel assistance guidelines. The Ecumenical Fuel Fund has no income restrictions, she said.

Basic fuel assistance through the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program provides households with between $500 and $700 a season. The program is designed to pay one-third of the winter’s heating cost. When it began, oil prices were low enough so that the amount would sometimes pay most of a season’s heating bills, Gage said.

Applications for next fall’s LIHEAP program will be accepted beginning in July, said Judy Frost of the Western Maine Community Action Program. Payments typically go out in October, she said.

The LIHEAP program also has an emergency fund that can provide 100 gallons of fuel.

“When someone comes in and needs assistance, we ask if they’ve applied for fuel assistance,” Frost said. “We use all the resources we can before we go to the church funds as we save those for people who are not eligible or are in emergency situations.”