The 35 percent increase in the price of oil this winter, combined with one of the coldest and snowiest Decembers in many years, has created a double whammy for Mainers.

It doesn’t matter if a person is living on Social Security, a military pension or working full time at one of the department stores – the cost of fuel is biting into budgets.

Something has to give. In the case of those who are categorized low income, it really is a choice of which bill to pay: fuel or groceries. We have read about Maine’s situation on the front page of The New York Times and in most local newspapers, and have studied all programs offering assistance. No doubt there are waiting lists, but here’s what we’ve found so far:

Call Maine’s Emergency hotline, 2-1-1. That’s the statewide emergency line that includes the former Ingraham line and promises to provide information on nearly everything from fuel to food stamps

For those who are not living in subsidized housing, there are at least two fuel assistance programs available (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program – LIHEAP – and Citizens Energy).

Citizen’s Energy Oil Heat Program, based in Massachusetts, has been providing fuel assistance for a number of years. For some who do not qualify for LIHEAP, or the Home Energy Assistance Program (federal), Citizens Energy may be a solution. Commercials have begun airing on local television stations and this tells me that the program will be operating in Maine again this year.

If your income is too high to qualify for the Low Income Heat Assistance, try Citizens Energy’s toll free hotline, 1-877-JOE-4-OIL (1-877-563-4645), or apply online to complete an application. Citizens will notify households/families via mail on their application status. Income-qualified families or individuals will receive a one-time delivery of up to 100 gallons of heating oil. To receive a delivery during the 2007-2008 winter season, Citizens Energy must receive all applications and requests for processing by Feb. 29, 2008.

LIHEAP, or HEAP, is a federal program and the Web site (and that of Maine State Housing) contains this information. People’s Regional Opportunity Program (PROP), in Portland, is the administrating agency for LIHEAP assistance in Cumberland County.

PROP offers several programs to help with heating improvements and costs for those families that meet income eligibility requirements. For some programs, families with children under 24 months or with members who are elderly or disabled are given priority when applying.

HEAP: For homeowners or renters who have high heating bills in relation to their income. HEAP benefits households by making a supplemental payment on their behalf directly to their fuel vendor, whether the fuel is oil, electricity, coal, gas or wood.

To apply, call 842-2988, Ext. 21. For this program, if your household includes seniors age 60 or above, your income is required to fall within 170 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines ($17,257 for one person, $23,273 for two).

ELP (Electricity Lifeline Program): Central Maine Power customers who don’t live in subsidized housing may apply for ELP, through which CMP will provide an energy credit on a household’s monthly electric bill. To apply, call 842-2988 x21.

ECIP (Energy Crisis Intervention Program): This program may provide emergency assistance funds to homeowners and renters when no other funding sources are available. Assistance might be fuel delivery, minor heating system repairs, or preventing a utility disconnection. Funds are not always available. To apply, call 842-2988 ext. 21.

CHIP (Central Heating Improvement Program): This program provides funds for repair and/or replacement of central heating systems that are inefficient or threaten occupants’ health or safety. To apply, call 842-2988 ext. 29

Above Ground and Underground Oil Tank Programs: In partnership with the Department of Environmental Protection, PROP offers these programs to replace leaking and unsafe fuel tanks located either above ground or underground. Call 842-2988 ext. 29 for more information.

Central Maine Power Assistance Credit: This program allows CMP to provide assistance credit for new single-phase electric services. Income eligible homeowners buying a new home that require a new electric service may apply. CMP will provide a credit to reduce the cost of installing poles and wiring to connect to CMP’s distribution line. For eligibility and more information, call Susan Joyce at 842-2988 ext. 25.

Lifeline Telephone Assistance is available to families receiving AFDC/TANF, Social Security, food stamps, fuel assistance, or Medicaid. The benefits are determined by The Telephone Association of Maine and appear as a credit on the recipient’s monthly telephone bills. To apply, call 874-1140, Ext. 326.