AUGUSTA – Gov. Angus King asked President Clinton on Tuesday to send more heating assistance money to Maine to help eligible households cope with unexpectedly high fuel prices.

The state received an extra $5 million in Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program money in September, enabling the state to make more households eligible.

But King said in a letter to Clinton that fuel prices in the Northeast have risen beyond early projections. The current statewide average for heating oil is $1.56 per gallon, said King, compared to $1.03 per gallon a year ago.

King said some households have already exhausted their benefits, are out of fuel and are asking for additional assistance.

“I am urgently requesting additional LIHEAP contingency funding to ensure that our most vulnerable residents can obtain heating assistance,” King’s letter says. “The problem is real and the need is critical.”

King did not specify an amount in his request.