PORTLAND – Maine Equal Justice Partners has created a resource guide to help those who need assistance with their winter utility and fuel bills.

The guide identifies 12 programs that help with housing and utility costs.

It also lists contacts for agencies across the state offering assistance.

The guide explains how to apply for Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program help, weatherization and furnace repair or replacement, emergency crisis intervention, and home repairs. It also lists ways to obtain rural housing repair loans and grants and the home energy loan program.

“We are seeing an increase in the number of people having difficulty making ends meet, especially as the winter approaches,” said Sara Gagne-Holmes, Maine Equal Justice Partners executive director. “We hope this guide will help people across the state find the assistance they need.”

The organization was formed in 1996 and provides free legal representation before various administrative agencies in state and federal courts and before the state Legislature for people with low incomes. The legal group says it is dedicated to serving as an advocate for low-income people on matters that affect their daily lives, such as access to adequate health care, food and income support and higher education and training opportunities.

The guide is available on the Maine Equal Justice Partners Web site at mejp.org or by calling 866-626-7059, ext. 200. It provides information on where Mainers of varying incomes can find assistance with heating, weatherizing or repairing their homes as well as help with electric bills, mortgage payments, property taxes and car repairs.

For information about Maine Equal Justice Partners, call 626-7058 or visit their Web site.

wgriffin@bangordailynews.net

338-9546

Heating fuel prices for week of Nov. 18

Area prices averaged from reports of local dealers. Statewide price of oil, kerosene and residential propane from Governor’s Office of Energy Independence and Security. Local price of kerosene from MaineOil. Com.

No. 2 heating oil, cash price per gallon

Bangor area: $2.68

Calais area: $2.69

Northern Aroostook County: $ 2.75

Rockland area: $2.83

Statewide: $ 2.70

Firewood, green, cut, split, delivered, per cord

Bangor area: $245

Calais area: n/a

Northern Aroostook County: $185

Rockland area: $232

Wood pellets, per ton

Bangor area: $278

Calais area: $300

Northern Aroostook County: $ 260

Rockland area: $ 298.50

Natural gas, per 1,000 cubic feet

Bangor area: $13.50

Propane, per gallon

Bangor area: $2.56

Statewide: $ 2.96

Kerosene, per gallon

Bangor area: $3.24

Statewide: $ 3.26