Maine to get $38M in heat assistance early from federal government
Maine to Receive Early $38 Million HEAP Disbursement as Heating‑Oil Prices Hit Record Levels
Portland, Oct. 13, 2026 – The U.S. federal government is slated to release roughly $38 million in Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) funds to the state of Maine ahead of the usual schedule, a move that Sen. Susan Collins (R‑Maine) announced Friday. The early disbursement comes amid a steep surge in heating‑oil costs that have pushed the price above $6 per gallon, the highest level recorded in the state’s history.
The funds, which are administered by MaineHousing and paid to heating suppliers to help low‑income households cover winter heating expenses, are expected to be distributed as early as this week—well before the typical late‑October or early‑November release. Collins said the decision was made in response to a letter she and Independent Sen. Angus King sent last month to the Department of Health and Human Services, urging an expedited release. “I am pleased that these funds are being released to help Mainers afford to heat their homes this winter without having to choose between staying warm and paying for other basic necessities,” she told reporters.
A Shortage of Funds in a Time of Rising Costs
Maine’s reliance on heating oil, coupled with a recent spike in fuel prices, has strained the state’s low‑income support system. According to MaineHousing, about 45,000 residents received LIHEAP assistance during the 2025‑26 winter. The average award for the current season, set last summer, is roughly $700. However, with heating‑oil costs climbing to more than $6 per gallon—an all‑time high last month—state officials say the value of the aid has decreased significantly.
Last winter, roughly $23 million of HEAP funds went to heating‑oil vendors. This year, the projected amount is closer to $31 million, a figure that includes $4 million in carry‑over money that MaineHousing plans to allocate to around 4,400 vulnerable households. Even with the additional $38 million from the federal government, state officials warn the aid will not stretch as far as it did in previous seasons.
Distribution of the New Funds
Out of the $38 million earmarked for Maine, about $36.7 million will flow directly to MaineHousing. The remaining $1.4 million will be distributed among tribal nations: the Pleasant Point Passamaquoddy Tribe ($457,771), the Indian Township Passamaquoddy Tribe ($316,098), the Penobscot Nation ($303,530), and both the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians and the Mi’kmaq Nation ($165,665 each).
Collins, who chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee, highlighted her role in increasing HEAP funding nationwide by $20 million. She said she had recently spoken with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Office of Management and Budget director Russell Vought about the urgency of releasing the funds.
State Push for Additional Support
Governor Janet Mills added pressure to the federal request last week, writing to the congressional delegation urging more funding. “Federal funding levels appropriated for LIHEAP this winter did not fully consider the drastic impacts of the president’s war that has sent fuel prices skyrocketing and are now insufficient for the circumstances that Maine and other cold‑climate states now face,” Mills wrote. She cited the ongoing conflict in Iran—she said it has made heating oil unaffordable for many—arguing that the current aid level falls short of the needs of Maine residents.
The heating‑oil crisis has also seeped into Maine’s upcoming election cycle. Sen. Collins and her Democratic challenger, former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson, have exchanged blame over the high fuel costs. Meanwhile, gubernatorial candidates—Democrat Hannah Pingree, Republican Bobby Charles, and independent Rick Bennett—have called for expanded assistance as the state braces for a frigid winter.
How Residents Can Apply
Applications for HEAP assistance are now open. Residents can apply through the MaineHousing website, contact their local community action program, or dial 211. Maine also releases an annual Winter Heating Guide, offering cost‑saving tips for households of all income levels.
As heating‑oil prices continue to climb, the early release of the $38 million in federal aid represents a significant, though limited, lifeline for thousands of Maine households. The state’s officials and lawmakers are calling for additional support to bridge the gap left by the record‑high fuel costs, while residents prepare for the coldest winter on record.
