More Maine households will be eligible for help with their home heating costs this winter, as a result of changes in the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

The federal program is now open to families with annual incomes up to 75 percent of the state median income, an increase over the 60 percent threshold last year.

For a family of four, the new income eligibility limit is now $47,626, according to the office of Sen. Olympia Snowe.

Snowe noted that the federal Energy Information Administration estimates that Mainers will spend 23 percent more on heating oil this year than last.

She called on the Office of Management and Budget to release more LIHEAP funds from the $590 million at its disposal for distribution to the states.