Agencies in Mercer County and across the country are reporting a rise in the number of people seeking help paying their heating bills.

The Mercer County Assistance Office has received 3,219 applications requesting energy assistance this year, up from about 2,800 at the same time last winter.

Mark Wasser, the office's executive director, said the applications are coming in earlier than previous years.

"We're ahead of the game this year with the number of applicants," Wasser said. "Early sign-ups are an indication that more people need assistance."

Last year, cash assistance went to 4,096 households while crisis assistance helped 960 households in Mercer County.

While more people are asking for help this year, the Bush administration is proposing a $300 million cut in the nation's biggest source of home heating aid. The administration is requesting $1.4 billion for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, compared to last year's $1.7 billion.

LIHEAP provides cooling and heating assistance to almost 4.4 million low-income households across the United States, according to the National Energy Assistance Directors Association, which represents state officials who administer LIHEAP grants.

Congress hasn't decided whether to adopt the cut, but critics say the proposal comes at the worst possible time. Cutting the money could affect more than 500,000 people who rely on aid to pay utility bills, according to the association. In Mercer County last year the program doled out $1,087,370 in cash assistance and $169,334 for crisis.

Assistance is based on income, the number of people in the household and the type of fuel used to heat the home. In Pennsylvania, a family of four with an income up to $24,435 can qualify. A person living alone must earn no more than $11,961. Currently in Mercer County, 1,023 of 3,219 applications are pending approval.

"With the cold winter, we're certainly interested in helping as many people as we can," Wasser said.

The LIHEAP program returns nearly $1 million "easily" to the county each year, Wasser said.

Possibly the largest energy assistance recipient in the county is National Fuel Gas Distribution Corp., which received a little more than $250,000 this year from the program. Pennsylvania Power Co. received more than $105,000.

The deadline to apply for LIHEAP is March 27, but Wasser recommends applying sooner in case money for the program runs out.

"It's no good to wait until the last minute to apply," he said.

Several local agencies, including the Salvation Army and the Mercer County Community Action Agency, also run programs offering assistance to residents.

The Prince of Peace Center in Farrell receives about 20 calls a week seeking energy assistance, said Annette Morrison, assistant director.

The center's energy program offers assistance with prescriptions, natural gas, electricity and water bills, as well as counseling and budgeting help.

"We're getting a lot more working poor people who just don't have enough money to meet their needs," Ms. Morrison said.

Because the center receives limited, private funding, people are sometimes referred to other agencies.

"We're one of the few who help with water bills. In the last few months we've had a lot of water and sewer calls. In the winter season, they can shut off water, but not electric and gas," Ms. Morrison said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.