Extreme cold weather expected for Oklahoma this weekend is likely to send home heating bills surging.

Time is running out for low-income families to apply for a program that helps with energy costs.

Oklahoma Human Services will stop taking applications for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) at midnight Friday, Jan. 12.

The program helps offset the costs of heating homes during the winter months.

Applicants who meet income requirements could receive a one-time payment of up to $500 depending on household size.

The state does provide emergency utility funding year-round for low income households.

It will start taking applications for its energy crisis assistance program in mid-March.

The federal government allocated $3.7 billion for LIHEAP to operate in every state this year.