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UTILITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

If you are looking to recertify or check your online application status for HEA
and USF, visit the Recertify and Check Application Status of Utility Assistance
Benefits Online webpage for more information.

*COVID-19 ("Coronavirus") Announcement: Due to the financial impact of the
pandemic, additional funds have been added to LIHEAP, our state's largest
utility assistance program. Below you will find information about eligibility
requirements, links to the application and a listing of application
agencies. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, offices may be closed to the public.
Call prior to visiting the application agency to confirm that they are accepting
walk-ins and/or to make an appointment.

Moratorium on Shut-offs: The moratorium on utility shut-offs has been extended
to March 15, 2022. Until then, no household may have its electricity, gas
service, or water shut off for nonpayment. Read the press release here.

 


HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (HEA)

The HEA Program is federally funded and was created to help low-income residents
with their heating and medically necessary cooling bills. Assistance is
available to eligible households through LIHEAP (see below for details) and
includes benefits to assist with heating bills and certain emergency needs.
Additional funds may be available for medically necessary cooling assistance and
heating repairs.


THE LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LIHEAP)

LIHEAP is a federally funded program designed to help low-income families and
individuals meet home heating and medically necessary cooling costs. The
application period for 2022 opens on October 1, 2021 and ends June 30,
2022. Assistance is provided on a first-come, first-served basis so applicants
are encouraged to apply as soon as they are eligible. If you are eligible to
receive assistance for cooling costs you should apply for this benefit at the
same time that you apply for help with heating costs.
 

To be eligible for LIHEAP benefits, the applicant household must be responsible
for home heating or cooling costs, with payments made either directly to the
utility company or included in the rent; and have a gross income that falls at
or below 60%  of the NJ State Median Income level. The table below gives
specific gross income maximums for FFY 2022.

Those who live in public housing and/or receive rental assistance are not
eligible unless they pay for their heating/cooling costs directly to the fuel
supplier. The amount of the LIHEAP heating benefit is determined by income,
household size, fuel type, and heating region. The medically necessary cooling
assistance benefit is set at $200, which is applied as a direct credit to an
active electric account or issued as a single party check to the client.

An eligible household that heats with natural gas or electricity may have its
benefits directly forwarded to its utility company. Eligible households heating
with oil, propane, or kerosene receive a two-party check in the name of the
client and the fuel supplier. Households whose heating costs are included in
their non-subsidized rent receive a single party check made out to the eligible
client. A household receiving medically necessary cooling benefits also receives
a single party check.


MAXIMUM MONTHLY GROSS INCOME ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES

Household Size USF Program LIHEAP Program 1 $4,293 $3,348 2 $5,807 $4,379 3
$7,320 $5,409 4 $8,833 $6,439 5 $10,347 $7,470 6 $11,860 $8,500 7 $13,373 $8,693
8 $14,887 $8,886 9 $16,400 $9,080 10 $17,913 $9,273 11 $19,427 $9,466 12 $20,940
$9,659 For each additional person add $1,513 add $193

Source: DCA 9/28/21

How to apply for LIHEAP - You can now apply online or work with your local
application agency in your area. If you have questions about the program during
a time when the agency is not open, dial 2-1-1 for information and assistance.
We are open twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year. Residents age 60 or over,
or those who are disabled, are permitted to receive and return applications by
mail. Others may only apply by mail if permitted by their local application
agency.

If you are a new applicant or if you have moved since last year you will need to
bring a copy of the following documentation with you when you go to apply for
this program at your local application agency.

 * Proof of Identification (Social security cards for all household members
   and birth certificates for those under 12 months of age; custody papers for
   minors not living with parents; documentation for all foster children in the
   household)
 * Proof of income for every household member who is 18 years of age or older
 * Proof of U.S. Citizenship or Legal Residency Status (provide one of the
   following: social security card; copy of Medicaid/Medicare
   card; documentation from the U.S. Department of Citizenship and Immigrations
   Services; or USCIS Temporary Work Permit)
 * copy of your most recent utility bill
 * copy of your tax bill, mortgage, or rental lease (if you are in public
   housing, bring your Housing Authority proof of residence letter or lease
   agreement)

Find out if you qualify for assistance for LIHEAP, USF, and other DCA programs
by completing DCA’s anonymous online screening tool, DCAid.

Download the application.
For more information, call the toll-free LIHEAP hotline at 800-510-3102.

If you received LIHEAP/USF last year, you are eligible to apply for the program
through a process called recertification. The application for those eligible for
this process is automatically started within the system. Applicants using the
recertification process will be contacted by mail and asked to supply less
documentation. Consumers seeking recertification can visit the DCAaid Screening
Tool, email a completed recertification form with the following documents
to USFHEA-application@dca.nj.gov, or mail a completed recertification form with
all required documents to the agency listed on your recertification letter.

You will need to supply a copy of the following:

 * documentation that will prove your household income
 * your current utility bill
 * documentation of any new household members
 * documentation which verifies that a previous household member is no longer in
   your household

If you have moved since your last application was submitted, you will NOT be
eligible for this streamlined process and will have to submit a new application.

NOTE: Remember, all applications for this program must be submitted to
your local application agency. Once your application is submitted it will be
processed. If there is a problem with the application, you will be notified by
mail and you must contact the local application agency that originally submitted
your application.


UNIVERSAL SERVICE FUND (USF)

The USF was created by the NJ Board of Public Utilities to help make natural gas
and electric bills more affordable for low-income customers. Applications for
this program are accepted throughout the year. 

The LIHEAP application is also an application for the USF. You apply for two
benefit programs at the same time. Households eligible for USF will receive a
monthly credit benefit towards their gas and electric bills. 

To be eligible, a household's gross income must be at or below 400% of
the Federal Poverty Level and pay more than 2% of its annual income for
electric, or more than 2% for natural gas. If a household has electric heat, it
must spend more than 4% of its annual income on electricity to be eligible.
Benefits vary between $5 to $180 per month. Payments are credited monthly to the
utility accounts. No money is ever sent to clients. USF benefits are only
available to customers of the seven regulated electric (energy) companies in New
Jersey which are: New Jersey Natural Gas Company; Elizabethtown Gas Company;
South Jersey Gas Company; Public Service Electric & Gas Company; Rockland
Electric Company; Jersey Central Power & Light and Atlantic City Electric
Company.

If you move, the USF benefits are stopped until you contact your new utility
company and inform them that you were receiving USF at your former residence. It
is the responsibility of the new utility company to associate your USF benefits
to the new account. Once this has been done your USF benefit level will be
reevaluated. The level of benefits you receive may change because it is in part
based upon the history of utility use in your new location.

Because the same application is used for LIHEAP and USF, the process and
documentation required are the same. Review the application process noted above.
For more information about USF, contact your local application agency, call
866-240-1347 or go to the state website.

 


USF FRESH START

If you have a balance of $60 or more on your energy bill as a USF customer, you
may be eligible for additional benefits under the New Jersey Fresh Start
Program. Fresh Start is a partnership between the customer and USF to forgive
past due balances and improve your payment record. Participants must pay the
current USF-supplemented bill on time and in full every month and after 12
months of full on-time payments, the pre-USF program overdue balance will be
erased. If you are eligible for Fresh Start when you enroll in USF, you will be
automatically enrolled by your energy company and will be sent additional
information about how the Fresh Start program works. For more information, call
your electric or gas company.

Additional Information:

 * Local application agency
 * Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about USF


OTHER UTILITY PROGRAMS MAY HELP

If you are not eligible for LIHEAP, there are other utility assistance programs
you may qualify for. Details for each of these programs follow. We have included
a table at the bottom of this page that reflects the current Federal Poverty
Level set for various family sizes. It includes figures for the different income
eligibility guidelines set for each program.

Skip to the program of interest to you:  PAGE, NJ SHARES, Lifeline, Winter
Termination Program, NJ Comfort Partners, Weatherization Assistance Program 


PAYMENT ASSISTANCE FOR GAS & ELECTRIC (PAGE) PROGRAM

The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities funds the PAGE program. The program is
administered through the Affordable Housing Alliance. This annual program is
intended to provide assistance to low-to-moderate income New Jersey residents
who are struggling to pay their electric and natural gas bills.
 

To be eligible you must:

 * Be a homeowner or renter living in NJ
 * Currently receive gas and electric services from one of the following
   providers: JCP&L, PSE&G, Rockland Electric, Atlantic City Electric, NJNG,
   Elizabeth Gas, South Jersey Gas, or a third party provider who bills through
   one of these companies
 * Be facing a crisis situation that includes a documented notice that your
   gas/electric account is currently 45 days or more past due, and/or have
   received a discontinuation notice, and/or service has already been
   disconnected. Minimum $100 account balance.
 * Provide copies of all required documentation along with the application
 * Meet income eligibility requirements noted in the PAGE table below
 * Any household with assets of $15,000 or more in savings, stocks/bonds etc.
   will be considered ineligible for the program.

You can use any one of the following methods to apply for this program:

 * Submit an online application (you will need electronic versions of
   all required documentation)
 * Dial 2-1-1 for assistance regardless of where you live or local agencies; all
   have partnered with AHA to assist you with the process
 * Download an application in English or Spanish in the attached documents on
   the right side of this page and mail it to AHA (AHA, 59 Broad St., Eatontown,
   NJ 07724)
 * Email scanned application and all documentation to AHA.
 * Drop off the application with all documentation

Documents you will need are listed on this page.

Begin the application process.

Find contact information for participating agencies.

To learn more call 732-982-8710 or visit the AHA PAGE website.


INCOME ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PAGE PROGRAM

Household Size Maximum Annual Income 1 $66,968 2 $87,575 3 $108,180 4 $128,786 5
$149,392 6 $169,998 7 $173,862 8 $177,725

**This table reflects Annual Gross Incomes. 

Source: NJ Power On (9/29/21)


NJ SHARES

New Jersey Statewide Heating Assistance and Referral Energy Service, Inc.
(NJSHARES) - is a non-profit organization which administers an energy-assistance
program that assists households who do not qualify for federal or state energy
programs and whose income does not exceed 400 percent of the Federal Poverty
Level. Each client fills out an electronic application with the assistance of a
local community-based organization. Applications are taken by more than 230
participating intake agencies at local sites throughout the state. Eligibility
is determined by income and household size. The maximum grant awarded by New
Jersey SHARES is $700 for natural gas heating. Clients heating with electric may
receive up to $700 on their electric heat account. Grants are distributed
year-round based on funding availability. 

Eligibility Guidelines for NJ SHARES
Applicants Must:

 * Reside in New Jersey
 * Be experiencing a financial crisis, such as a job loss or illness
 * Be behind on their energy bill, or need a fuel delivery
 * Have income over the limit for federal programs such as the Low Income Energy
   Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and state programs such as the Universal Service
   Fund (USF)
 * Have an income level that does not exceed 400% of the Federal Poverty Level
 * Have made a good-faith payment of $100 or more within 90 days of applying for
   NJ SHARES (for gas and electric customers; deliverable fuel customers are
   excluded from this rule) 

Guidelines for Senior Citizens and People With a Disability:

Applicants 65 years of age or older or those receiving Social Security
Disability (SSD), with households of one or two members, will be eligible for NJ
SHARES if the maximum household income is $91,505 annually. Proof of age or
Federal SSD benefit is required. 

Required Documentation for NJ SHARES applications:
Documents should be furnished to the intake agency at the time of application.

 * Proof of income for all contributing household members (last four consecutive
   weeks prior to application date)
 * Proof of identification for all household members
 * Most recent energy bill
 * Signed and dated application
 * Proof of Income 

Download or view the NJ SHARES flyer on the attached PDF documents on the right
side of this page.
SUBMIT AN ONLINE APPLICATION
WHERE TO APPLY FOR NJ SHARES IN YOUR COUNTY


NJ SHARES HELPS WITH WATER BILLS

New Jersey American Water (NJAW) - NJ SHARES administers the NJAW H2O Help to
Others Program™. Customers who qualify may receive a grant of up to $500 and/or
a discount of as much as 20% of a customer's bill. Their Low Income Payment
Program (LIPP) is designed to assist New Jersey American Water’s most
economically challenged customers. This aid can be equivalent to as much as 20%
of a customer’s monthly bill, depending on eligibility. For both programs, an
applicant's income must be no greater than 300% of the FPL, and must have made a
good faith payment of $100 within 90 days of applying, and be at risk of
shutoff. Applications are taken through the NJ SHARES agency network or online.
For more Information, call 800-272-1325.

SUEZ Cares - NJ SHARES administers a water assistance program for Suez Water
(formerly United Water) customers in need. There is no income guideline for the
program. Customers must be experiencing a financial crisis, have to make a good
faith payment of $20 within 90 days prior to applying to qualify for a maximum
grant of $100. Applications are administered through the NJ SHARES agency
network or online. Learn more and apply online here or call 866-657-4273.


LIFELINE PROGRAM

The Lifeline Program is utility assistance program is designed to help eligible
low-income individuals who are 65 or older or receiving Social Security
Disability or Supplemental Security Income and has an annual income of less than
$38,769 if single or less than $45,270 if married. This includes utility
customers as well as tenants whose utility bills are included in their rent.
Lifeline benefits are provided only for electric and natural gas consumers. For
more information about Lifeline visit the NJ Department of Human
Services' website or call 800-792-9745. 


WINTER TERMINATION PROGRAM

The Winter Termination Program protects specific categories of customers from
having their gas or electric shut off between November 15 and March 15 of each
year. Those enrolled in certain other programs (including Supplemental Security
Income, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, USF, and Lifeline) are protected
by the Winter Termination Program. An additional “catch-all” category is also
included for those who are unable to pay their utility bills because of
circumstances beyond their control, such as unemployment or illness. For more
information about the Winter Termination Program, call 800-624-0241.


COMFORT PARTNERS

Comfort Partners is designed to improve energy affordability for households who
earn less than 250% of the Federal Poverty Level. This program objective is
accomplished through the direct installation of energy efficiency measures,
personalized customer energy education, and counseling. Participants are asked
to partner with the program to develop and carry out a household energy savings
action plan. Program participants receive all efficiency measures and energy
education services free of charge:

 * Direct installation of cost-effective energy efficiency measures in the home
   (determined on a home-specific basis) which can include: efficient lighting
   products; hot water conservation measures (water heater insulation, water
   heater pipe insulation and energy-saving showerheads and aerators);
   replacement of inefficient refrigerators; thermostats; insulation upgrades
   (attic, wall, etc.); air sealing; duct sealing and repair; heating/cooling
   equipment maintenance and other dwelling-specific measures
 * Comprehensive, personalized energy education and counseling

For additional assistance, call toll-free at 800-915-8309 or fill out the online
form. 

The customer must also use the home as a primary residence and be the ratepayer
of record with the electric or gas utility.

If your primary source of heat is oil, propane or kerosene, please contact the
NJ Department of Community Affairs, Office of Weatherization at 800-510-3102 or
call the County Weatherization office that serves your area.


WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

The Weatherization Assistance Program provides free comprehensive energy
conservation improvements to reduce residential heat loss and energy
consumption. The LIHEAP application is also an application for the
Weatherization Assistance Program and the Universal Service Fund (USF). You can
apply for three energy benefit programs at the same time. Applicants for the
Weatherization Assistance Program must have a gross annual income is at or below
200% of Federal Poverty Guidelines.

Find the Weatherization Manager in Your Area.

Family Size Gross Annual Income ($) 1 $25,760 2 $34,840 3 $43,920 4 $53,000 5
$62,080 6 $71,160 7 $80,240 8 $89,320 Each Additional Member $9,080

Source: https://www.benefits.gov/benefit/1869 (9/29/21)


TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS

If you need to use public transportation to get to the local application agency,
use NJ Transit's Trip Planner to find the best route. If you are disabled and
cannot find accessible transportation or if you live in a part of the state that
does not have adequate public transportation options, search the NJ 211 resource
database for viable options.


2021 FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL TABLE WITH ASSOCIATED PERCENTAGES FOR PROGRAM
ELIGIBILITY

Household Size 100% of Federal Poverty Level 185% of Poverty Level 200% of
Poverty Level 250% of Poverty Level 400% of Poverty Level 1 $12,880 $23,828
$25,760 $32,200 $51,520 2 $17,420 $32,227 $34,840 $43,550 $69,680 3 $21,960
$40,626 $43,920 $54,900 $87,840 4 $26,500 $49,025 $53,000 $66,250 $106,000 5
$31,040 $57,424

$62,080

$77,600 $124,160 6 $35,580 $65,823 $71,160 $88,950 $142,320 7 $40,120 $74,222
$80,240 $100,300 $160,480 8 $44,660 $82,621 $89,320 $111,650 $178,640 Each
additional household member $4,540 $8,399 $9,080 $11,350 $18,160

**This table reflects Annual Gross Incomes. 
Source: https://aspe.hhs.gov/topics/poverty-economic-mobility/poverty-guidelines (9/29/21)


RESEARCH SOURCES INCLUDE

http://www.njpoweron.org
http://www.njcleanenergy.com/residential/programs/comfort-partners/comfort-partners
http://www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/dhcr/offices/energy.html
http://www.state.nj.us/bpu/assistance/programs/index.html
http://www.njshares.org
http://njcleanenergy.com/ 


RELATED DOCUMENTS

PAGE Recertification
Zero Income Statement
Tenant Lease Verification Form
Cooling Benefit - Physician Certification
Utility Assistance in NJ 2 sheets FFY2021.2022.pdf
Home Energy Assistance Programs Facts ENGLISH 2021/2022
Home Energy Assistance Programs Facts SPANISH 2021/2022
LIHEAP USF Application 2021 2022
2021 English PAGE Application
2021 Spanish PAGE Application


RELATED PAGES


UTILITY ASSISTANCE HOTLINE




APPLY, RECERTIFY, AND CHECK APPLICATION STATUS OF UTILITY ASSISTANCE BENEFITS
ONLINE




DCAID SCREENING TOOL




ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAMS AND PRACTICES




FILING A COMPLAINT WITH NJ BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES




LOCAL COUNTY UTILITY ASSISTANCE RESOURCES




NO-HEAT COMPLAINTS




UTILITY COMPANIES OFFER ASSISTANCE


 * Utility Assistance

Last Updated: January 06, 2022
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