AUGUSTA — The Maine House of Representatives gave initial approval today to a bill to take $5 million out of the state’s rainy day fund and put it into low income heating assistance.

The House has sent the bill to the Senate, which may take it up today. If it wins initial Senate support, the bill would still require final approval in both chambers before going to the governor's desk.

House Speaker Glenn Cummings, D-Portland, said last week that the bill is needed because there is not enough federal money left to help Mainers get through the winter.

About 85 percent of the $35.5 million fund has already been disbursed. So far this year, the Maine program has helped 40,630 households, and the state expects to help about another 7,000 people before the end of this winter, according to the Maine State Housing Authority.