New Hampshire will receive nearly $14 million in heating aid from the federal government, U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen announced recently. The funds are in addition to nearly $20 million already provided to the state through Dec. 10.

The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which last year supplied heating aid to about 47,000 homes in New Hampshire. The program was in danger of being cut by about $2 billion this winter, but Shaheen joined other senators to lobby against the cuts.

The new funds bring New Hampshire’s total LIHEAP aid in fiscal year 2011 to nearly $34 million through March 4. The added funding could be sorely needed. According to Shaheen’s office, more than half of New Hampshire families rely on home heating oil, and the price of heating oil is up roughly 12 percent from this time last year. The Energy Information Administration predicts the Northeast will spend almost 15 percent more for home heating oil this winter than last. 

Maine will receive an additional $23 million in heating aid, bringing its total to nearly $53 million for the fiscal year.