AUGUSTA -- The line of low-income central Mainers looking for help to heat their homes is already 5,000 long, and growing.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released $2.6 billion in Low Income Home Energy Assistance funds Thursday, $13.1 million of which is headed to Maine.

Rob Gordon, executive director of the United Way of Kennebec Valley and a leader of the Home Heating Challenge, said the federal heating assistance is coming earlier this year.

Local service providers said it is much needed.

"People have been calling, looking for help heating their homes, and I've got no way to help," said the Rev. Kathi Smith, of Bread of Life Ministries, which runs a shelter and soup kitchen in Augusta. "And I have no one to go to for oil assistance. The churches I rely on, which have donated thousands in the past, are hurting. They've said they just can't do it this year. It's just not there."

The Home Heating Challenge, which met Friday in Augusta, is a regional group that meets regularly during heating season to network and brainstorm ideas for making sure local residents don't go without heat over the winter.

The group also raises money for and oversees an emergency heating fund that can provide a one-time emergency payment for low-income residents out of fuel or at risk of running out and unable to purchase more on their own.

Gordon said the emergency account has a balance of about $58,000.

The heating money will be distributed through the Kennebec Valley Community Action Program.

Funds will start going out the week of Nov. 2., Kelly LaChance, Low Income Home Energy Assistance manager of KVCAP, said.

She said there are already more than 5,000 applicants waiting.

Last year, KVCAP processed 11,800 applications, about 2,000 more than ever before.

This year, LaChance expects they'll get between 12,000 and 13,000 before the end of the heating season.

Low Income Home Energy Assistance provides a one-time payment to help low-income people heat homes. Qualifying for it can also qualify recipients for other programs.

Each year, 4.5 million low-income families, including about 48,000 households in Maine, rely on the program, according to the office of U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine.

Maine officials expect the average benefit to be about $750 for recipients this year, according to the office of U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-1st District.

LaChance said KVCAP is averaging 120 to 150 appointments a day for heating assistance. She said between 20 and 25, on average, are denied due to a lack of proper documentation by applicants.

LaChance said applicants need proof of income for the prior three months, and a copy of their electric bill. Appointments may be made at (800) 542-8227.

She said applicants calling now will likely have to wait until January or February to get an appointment. Some emergency funds, however, are available.

Keith Edwards -- 621-5647

kedwards@centralmaine.com