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As the weather begins to cool down, Mary E. Wilson knows her bills are about to go up.

"It's $300, $400 a month," said Wilson, 62, who has a fixed income and shares a Landover apartment with her sister. "It's so high, so expensive, every month."

And for the first time in years, those high bills have Wilson contemplating government assistance for energy.

"We did it once a few years ago," she said. "It paid it all."

Utility companies are urging Prince George's County residents to monitor their power use and seek government assistance if needed, saying winter bills could rise up to 20 percent this season. Washington Gas officials said this year's winter is expected to be colder than last year and cited rising natural gas prices that account for about 66 percent of heating bills as reasons for the expected increase.

In a meeting with the County Council last week, representatives for Washington Gas, Baltimore Gas and Electric Co. and Pepco said the faltering economy and colder temperatures could make it tough for many residents to handle rising costs for gas and electric heat.

"It's critical that [people] call us early, before they get into trouble," said Washington Gas spokeswoman Roberta Sims, who said power bills could rise from $90 to $214 this winter for Maryland customers of the utility. Washington Gas has 175,000 customers in Prince George's County.

Thanks to a record high allocation from the federal government this year, more families and residents with low incomes may be able to get assistance from the state with their bills. This year, the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program for Maryland residents is valued at $109 million, about triple what it was the year before, Sims said.

"This is an unprecedented amount," Sims told the council.

To qualify for the Maryland Energy Assistance Program, the local version of the LIHEA program, a single person living alone must make less than $1,488 per month before taxes. The income requirement rises by $508 for each additional person who lives in a home or apartment. Seniors, veterans and residents with disabilities who receive other government benefits may also qualify, but must have an application approved by the state Department of Human Resources.

Applications must be submitted through the Prince George's County Department of Social Services, which takes about 45 days to process and at least 30 days after approval for payments to start. Qualified homeowners who get heating fuel supplies from private companies can also receive assistance.

"We've definitely seen a spike," said Ransom Washington, spokesman for the county department. "The earlier [people apply], the better."

Utility officials warn that although the amount of funding available is higher this year for assistance, they expect long waits and increased demand due to the falling economy.

"The bottom line is, given the current economic climate, we know there is going to be a lot more work to do," said Kim Watson, Pepco spokeswoman, who said processing assistance claims could take time. "We're heading into some dire, dire times. … The flip side of this is that we have more people wanting the money."

People who don't qualify for state assistance can work with power companies to handle rising costs, representatives said. Each utility offers a budget plan to customers that allows residents to spread their higher monthly payments over the entire year, and Pepco offers a program that lets customers set their own due dates for monthly bills.

"Call us," Watson said. "We can work out a plan."

Company officials also urged residents to work on conserving power to reduce rising costs. Turning down the thermostat by three degrees can save an average of $20 per month, while using compact florescent bulbs in lights can reduce energy consumption by 70 percent, company officials said.

"There are some simple things that customers can do," said Michael Fowler, BGE spokesman, who said residents can also save about $20 per month by washing clothes in cold water. "It's the one place where people have some power."

Washington Gas customers can reach customer assistance by calling 703-750-1000 or visiting www.washingtongas.com. The contact number for Pepco is 202-833-7500 or online at www.pepco.com, and the BGE customers can call 1-800-685-0123 or online at www.bge.com.

E-mail Daniel Valentine at dvalentine@gazette.net

What: Maryland Energy Assistance Program

Who qualifies: A single person living alone must make less than $1,488 a month to qualify, with an additional $508 for each additional resident. A family of four must make less than $3,012. People already receiving assistance for housing, disability or seniors may also qualify.

Where to apply: The Prince George's County Department of Social Services or online at www.marylandsail.org.