The $28 million allocation under the so-called LIHEAP program comes as Mainers cope with frigid weather and rising oil prices.

The federal government has released nearly $28 million in heating assistance for Maine. That's according to 2nd District Congressman Mike Michaud, who says the money is Maine's second allocation of funds released for fiscal year 2010 under the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP.

The money comes as Mainers struggle to cope with a triple whammy of a recession, frigid weather and sharply rising heating oil prices. State officials said yesterday that heating oil prices in the state jumped 10 cents a gallon on average in the last week alone.

"As thousands of Mainer's know too well, increasing prices make heating your home harder and harder, especially during this recession," Michaud says in a statement. "Too many Mainers this winter are facing unacceptable choices like whether to heat their homes or put food on the table. This funding will help make sure many don't have to make that choice."

Local agencies that administer the funds say calls for heating assistance have risen sharply in the past few weeks. State officials say more than 40,000 Maine households have received heating assistance through the program so far.