Associated PressAssociated Press

A program that helps low-income people pay their winter heating bills will provide help under original income eligibility levels through at least November, because of higher fuel costs, Gov. John Hoeven said.

The federally funded Low Income Energy Assistance Program had expected to help 20 percent fewer households in North Dakota this fiscal year, under revised eligibility levels. A family of four could not exceed an annual income of $26,123. Last year's cap was $34,242.

"We have to submit our plan before Sept. 1. At that time, it didn't seem there was much hope at all that Washington would come through with (an) increase in funds," said Ron Knutson, who runs the program in North Dakota. "But so much has changed. There's been much more talk about the increase in fuel prices."

The income cap that will now be used for the program is the same as last year's.

Hoeven said his directive to the state Department of Human Services, which runs the program, is pending additional federal funding.

The governor has come under pressure from Democratic legislative leaders to tap into the state's $100 million budget surplus to augment federal energy assistance for the poor, which they said has failed to keep up with rising energy costs.

"We believe the administration and Congress will step up to fund it," Hoeven said.

The state received $13.6 million for the program during the last fiscal year and helped 15,300 households. Once a household is approved, it is signed up for the entire season, Knutson said.