Maine households are approaching winter with higher heating-oil costs, as a state price survey cited by Maine Public put the average at $6.02 a gallon in late September.
The public broadcaster's September 29 report said filling a 250-gallon tank at that price would cost about $740 more than a year earlier, according to the state Department of Energy Resources.
Maine Public interviewed residents who were delaying a fill-up or reducing other spending. It also reported that community-action providers were seeing strong early demand for help, including from households whose incomes were too high for federal assistance.
MaineHousing's Home Energy Assistance Program is accepting applications for the 2026-27 season. Its program page says the application period continues until funds are exhausted or May 29, 2027.
The assistance is for qualifying homeowners and renters. Eligibility and benefit amounts depend on household circumstances, including income and household size. Applicants must provide the requested financial and utility documentation.
Applications can be completed online or handled through local community-action agencies and ProsperityME. In most cases, approved assistance is paid to the fuel provider and credited to the household's account.
MaineHousing lists November 1 as the scheduled opening for the season's Energy Crisis Intervention Program. The ordinary heating-assistance application and emergency assistance have different schedules, so residents should consult the program's current instructions when seeking help.
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