ST. PAUL  (AP) -- Minnesota is getting another $7 million in federal aid to help low-income customers pay their heating bills.

The aid comes from the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. It's in addition to the $143 million in federal funds already received by the state, bringing the total allocation for the current heating season to about $150 million.

So far this season, about 151,600 applications have been received from households asking for help. The average grant is about $500.

Qualifying families must apply at one of 36 local service providers in their area.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

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