The money represents the state's portion of $100 million the Bush administration has released through the Department of Health and Human Services.
That means about 2,800 more Utah families could receive energy assistance this year, said Gordon Walker, who administers the aid through the Utah Department of Community & Economic Development.
Last year, 36,000 families received an average $297 in assistance, Walker said. So far this funding year, which began Nov. 1, the HEAP program has provided $3.6 million to 12,270 families.
With heating bills predicted to be 34 percent to 40 percent higher this year than last, need for the program is expected to be greater than usual.
In November, Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. appealed to the public to help those who often must choose between eating or being warm. He called for donations to programs run by Questar Gas, Utah Power and the Greater Salt Lake chapter of the American Red Cross, which works in conjunction with another federal energy-assistance venture.
Huntsman said he will monitor the fund-raising before turning to the Legislature for more assistance.
A state study of the need revealed that the programs are chronically underfunded by about $3 million. But that accounts for only about one-third of those who could qualify. Kevin Knight, the governor's energy policy coordinator, estimates that if half the eligible families applied, the program would be $9 million short.
The assistance is not meant to fully cover all eligible families' energy bills, but rather is a subsidy. "It's to help, particularly those in the poverty level," Walker said.
Each year, about 5 million low-income households across the country receive energy-related assistance. Eligible families can use the money to pay for home heating and insulation in winter and cooling their homes in the warmer months. In Utah, the winter needs take most of the funding, Walker said.
The federal government has another $101 million that remains available for crises through the emergency contingency fund.
Utah residents interested in finding out about the HEAP program, or if they are eligible, can call 1-866-205-4357.
