MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- About $130 million will be available this winter to help low-income families with their heating bills.

That's nearly twice the amount Wisconsin previously received from the federal Low Income Energy Assistance Program, known as LIHEAP.

Gov. Jim Doyle announced the aid as the winter heating season officially began Wednesday. He says the program should help nearly 160,000 families.

The Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program will distribute the money through county social services departments, tribal agencies and community agencies.

Doyle says the money should help low-income families hit hard by rising food and energy costs. Low-income households received an average of $437 from the program last year.