More than 19,000 lowincome households have received fuel deliveries under the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

MaineHousing distributed the first round of LIHEAP payments late last week, the agency said in a news release.

In mid-November, Maine- Housing received $34.9 million in LIHEAP funding — 90 percent of Maine’s total expected funding of $38.5 million. The additional 10 percent is being held back in case of sequestration. If MaineHousing receives the full $38.5 million, the agency said it would be “on par” with last winter’s allocation.

So far this winter, Maine- Housing has sent out $10.7 million to 19,038 households. The estimated average seasonal benefit is $556.

Last year at this time, $7.8 million was distributed to assist 24,990 eligible households; the average seasonal benefit was $483.

Approximately 64,000 households will be screened for eligibility by the nine community action agencies this winter, MaineHousing said.

To view eligibility requirements, visit www.mainehousing.org and select “LIHEAP applications” in the “highlights” box.