ALBANY -- Low-income New Yorkers will get some extra help with their heating bills this winter.

The money will come from an additional $82.3 million recently released by the federal government for the state-managed Home Energy Assistance Program.

Gov. Eliot Spitzer said Monday the "emergency benefit" for families unable to afford fuel or facing a power shut-off is being increased from $600 to $700 to reflect higher costs for energy. The extra funds will also provide a second emergency benefit of up to $700 for qualified families.

The maximum regular benefit is being increased to $540 from $440 last year and the program will be extended through May 15.

So far this season, $178 million has been spent through HEAP to help 719,000 families.

Families who want to learn if they qualify can apply through their local departments of social services.

The total HEAP allocation to New York this season is $343.8 million.

Additional details can be found at http://www.otda.state.ny.us/main/heap.