WASHINGTON – The Bush administration on Friday released $40 million in emergency relief funds to 11 states, including $3.84 million for Maine, to help poor people cope with high heating bills.

Federal officials said they want to make sure families are protected during the coldest time of year.

Lawmakers and heating aid advocates had pressed President Bush to provide additional funding to states through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

Record home heating oil prices have squeezed cash-strapped households this winter. Residents in the Northeast, which depends on oil heat more than other regions, have struggled with oil prices that have topped $3 a gallon.

“So many families are already stretched to the breaking point and no family should ever have to choose between heating their homes and food or prescription drugs. Without further assistance, too many families will be faced with making these impossible choices,” said Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins in a statement.

New England states are among the 11 states slated to get the new money. In addition to Maine, Massachusetts will get nearly $5 million and Connecticut will receive $3.3 million in emergency aid. New Hampshire will get $1.6 million. Rhode Island’s share is $843,229. Vermont will get $1.2 million.

Congress last year approved roughly $2.6 billion for LIHEAP, and Bush signed the measure on Dec. 26. It’s about $409 million more than last winter, but fuel aid advocates had warned that it wasn’t enough to keep pace with record oil prices.

The Bush administration in January had released $450 million in emergency energy relief funds. After Friday’s latest round of emergency fuel aid, $121 million is left in emergency contingency funding, officials said.

Federal officials said more than 5 million low-income households receive LIHEAP aid each year for winter home heating and summer cooling.