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New Jersey Guide to Meeting Basic Utility Needs
Utility Assistance Programs
The following is a summation of the various energy assistance programs that are available to consumers in the State of New Jersey. Many of the programs listed below have income eligibility guidelines associated with them. These guidelines are based upon a figure known as the Poverty Level. Set by the federal government each year, this figure reflects an annual income that is considered to be at the poverty level based upon the number of members in a family and the cost of living.
In many of the programs described below you will see references to the Federal Poverty Level as it relates to each program's income eligibility guidelines
We have included a table at the bottom of this section 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. See Federal Poverty Table now.
Home Energy Assistance Program - helps very low-income residents with their heating and cooling bills, and makes provisions for emergency heating system services and emergency fuel assistance within the Home Energy Assistance Program. This is a federal and state program.
LIHEAP The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program - is designed to help low-income families and individuals meet home heating and medically necessary cooling costs. The application period is from November 1st through April 30th. To apply for LIHEAP, contact the authorized local community action agency or community based organization in your area, call 800-510-3102 Monday through Saturday (9 AM-5 PM), or dial 2-1-1 any time of the day or night. A list of the agencies that will help you apply is also listed at the end of this section. For persons age 60 or over, or those who are disabled, applications may be received and returned by mail. Other households may apply by mail at the discretion of the local agency.
To be eligible for LIHEAP benefits, the applicant household must be responsible for home heating or cooling costs, either directly or included in the rent; and have gross income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. The chart below gives specific gross income maximums for FFY 2011/2012. Persons who live in public housing and/or receive rental assistance are not eligible unless they pay for their own 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.
An eligible household that heats with natural gas or electricity may have its benefits directly forwarded to its utility company. Otherwise, in most cases eligible households directly responsible to a fuel supplier for payment of home heating costs receive a two-party check in the name of the applicant and the fuel supplier. Households whose heating costs are included in their rent receive a single party check made out to the eligible applicant. A household receiving medically necessary cooling benefits also receives a single party check.
Learn more about LIHEAP and download an application online.
Download the Application Form, Instructions and Required Documents (PDF File)
NOTE: Please submit the completed application to your Local Application Agency.
| Maximum MONTHLY GROSS Income Eligibility Guidelines |
| Household Size |
USF
Program |
LIHEAP
Program |
| 1 |
$1,589 |
$1,815 |
| 2 |
$ 2,146 |
$2,452 |
| 3 |
$ 2,703 |
$3,089 |
| 4 |
$3,260 |
$ 3,725 |
| 5 |
$3,817 |
$4,362 |
| 6 |
$4,374 |
$4,999 |
| 7 |
$4,931 |
$5,635 |
| 8 |
$5,488 |
$6,272 |
| 9 |
$6,045 |
$6,909 |
| 10 |
$6,602 |
$7,333 |
| 11 |
$7,159 |
$7,485 |
| 12 |
$7,716 |
$7,638 |
| If more than 12, add: |
$557/person |
$153/person |
|
Universal Service Fund (USF) Program - The State of New Jersey created the Universal Service Fund (USF) program to help make energy bills more affordable for low income customers. The FFY 2011 LIHEAP application is also an application for the Universal Service Fund Program (USF). You apply for two benefit programs at the same time. If you are eligible, USF can lower the amount you pay for gas and electricity. To be eligible, a household gross income must be at or below 175% of the Federal Poverty Level, (please refer to income guidelines listed below), and pay more than 3% of its annual income for electric, or more than 3% for natural gas. If a household has electric heat, it must spend more than 6% of its annual income on electricity to be eligible. For more information about USF, contact your local application agency, call 1-866-240-1347 or go to the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities website.
Access a listing of LIHEAP and USF Local Application Agencies.
USF Fresh Start -If you have a balance of $60 or more on your energy bill as you enter the USF program, you may be eligible for additional benefits under the New Jersey Fresh Start Program.
The Fresh Start Program is a component of the USF program and is only available for your first year of participation in USF. Fresh Start is a partnership between the customer and USF to forgive past due balances and improve your payment record. Participants must pay 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 for the first time, 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 1.866.240.1347.
Additional Information:
TRUE (Temporary Relief for Utility Expenses) Program - The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities has awarded $25 million in Temporary Relief for Utility Expenses (TRUE) Program funding to the Affordable Housing Alliance (AHA). This one-time TRUE Grant assistance is intended for low-to-middle income New Jersey residents who are struggling to pay their electric and natural gas bills. The maximum grant is $750 for electric and $750 for gas service, depending on your balance owed. Funds will be allocated on a first come, first serve basis.
To be eligible you must:
Income Eligibility Requirements for the TRUE (Temporary Relief for Utility Expenses) Program
This table reflects Annual Gross Incomes. |
| Household Size |
Minimum
Annual Income |
Maximum
Annual Income |
| 1 |
$ 21,672 |
$ 57,120 |
| 2 |
$ 29,160 |
$69,853 |
| 3 |
$ 36,636 |
$85,397 |
| 4 |
$44,112 |
$ 103,034 |
| 5 |
$51,600 |
$ 109,934 |
| 6 |
$59,076 |
$ 116,834 |
| 7 |
$ 66,552 |
$123,734 |
| 8 |
$74,040 |
$ 130,634 |
| 9 |
$ 81,516 |
$ 137,534 |
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- 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 and Electric, Atlantic City Electric, NJNG, Elizabeth Gas, South Jersey Gas, or a third party provider who bills through one of these companies)
- Have a past history of making regular payments towards your utility bill
- Be past due with your electric or gas account; received a disconnection notice, but still have utility service connected
- Have paid at least four payments of $25 in the last six months. (Three payments must be made 30 days before submitting the application.)
- Provide all required documentation along with the application
- Not be eligible for or received LIHEAP or USF in the last year
- Meet income eligibility requirements (see below)
New Jersey Statewide Heating Assistance and Referral Energy Service, Inc. (NJSHARES) - 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 at any one of more than 150 participating organizations statewide. Eligibility is determined by income and household size. New Jersey SHARES grant maximums are $700 for heating and $300 for electric service grants. Clients heating with electric may receive up to $700 on their electric heat account. Grants are distributed year-round based on funding availability. You must first apply to the TRUE Program before being considered for NJSHARES.
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, with households of one or two members, will be eligible for NJ SHARES if the maximum household income is $80,000 annually or $6,666 monthly. Proof of age is required.
Applicants receiving Federal Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits, with households of one or two members, will be eligible for NJ SHARES if the maximum household income is $80,000 annually or $6,666 monthly. Applicants must show proof of Federal SSD benefit.
Required Documentation for NJ SHARES applications:
Documents should be furnished to the intake agency at time of application.
- Proof of income (last four consecutive weeks prior to application date)
- Proof of identification
- Most recent energy bill
To donate or apply for the New Jersey SHARES program, please call toll-free 1-866-NJSHARES (1-866-657-4273) or visit NJ SHARES.
WHERE TO APPLY FOR NJ SHARES IN YOUR COUNTY
Lifeline Program - a program that offers $225 to persons who meet the PAAD (Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled) eligibility requirements or who receive SSI. 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, call 800-792-9745.
Winter Termination Program
- This program is in effect from November 15 through March 15. The program prevents residential gas and electric customers who participate in the Lifeline, Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), Work First New Jersey/Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (WFNJ/TANF), Federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled (PAAD), and those who are unable to pay their utility bills due to circumstances beyond their control such as unemployment or illness from having their gas or electric service disconnected during the winter months. The Program is administered by the Board of Public Utilities. To enroll in this program you must call your utility company and explain why you need this protection. For more information on the Winter Termination Program, call 800-624-0241.
Comfort Partners
- This program is designed to improve energy affordability for households who earn less than 225% 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.); blower-door guided 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 1-888-773-8326 or contact your local energy provider:
PSE&G: 1-888-773-8326
Jersey Central Power & Light: 1-800-207-9276
Atlantic City Electric: 1-888-773-8326
Elizabethtown Gas: 1-888-773-8326
NJ Natural Gas: 1-800-221-0051, press 3, then 4, then 2
South Jersey Gas: 1-888-773-8326
To file online, go to: http://www.njcleanenergy.com/residential/programs/comfort-partners/comfort-partners
Households that receive USF, Lifeline and/or Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled (PAAD) are also eligible.
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 1-800-510-3102 or call the county Weatherization office that serves your home.
Weatherization Assistance Program
- This 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 that falls below 200% of Federal Poverty Guidelines.
Find the Weatherization Manager in Your Area.
2011/2012 Federal Poverty Table with Associated Percentages for Program Eligibility
This table reflects Annual Gross Incomes.
| Household Size |
Federal Poverty Level |
175% of Poverty Level |
200% of Poverty Level |
225% of Poverty Level |
400% of Poverty Level |
| 1 |
$ 10,890.00 |
$ 19,058.00 |
$ 21,780.00 |
$ 24,503.00 |
$ 43,560.00 |
| 2 |
$ 14,710.00 |
$ 25,743.00 |
$ 29,420.00 |
$ 33,098.00 |
$ 58,840.00 |
| 3 |
$ 18,530.00 |
$ 32,428.00 |
$ 37,060.00 |
$ 41,693.00 |
$ 74,120.00 |
| 4 |
$ 22,350.00 |
$ 39,113.00 |
$ 44,700.00 |
$ 50,288.00 |
$ 89,400.00 |
| 5 |
$ 26,170.00 |
$ 45,798.00 |
$ 52,340.00 |
$ 58,883.00 |
$ 104,680.00 |
| 6 |
$ 29,990.00 |
$ 52,483.00 |
$ 59,980.00 |
$ 67,478.00 |
$ 119,960.00 |
| 7 |
$ 33,810.00 |
$ 59,168.00 |
$ 67,620.00 |
$ 76,073.00 |
$ 135,240.00 |
| 8 |
$ 37,630.00 |
$ 65,853.00 |
$ 75.260.00 |
$ 84,668.00 |
$ 150,520.00 |
| each additional family member |
$ 3,820.00 |
$ 6,685.00 |
$ 7,640.00 |
$ 8,595.00 |
$ 15,280.00 |
| |
Source: http://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/11fedreg.shtml |
Pick up the phone and dial 2-1-1 when you need help.
You are encouraged to dial “2-1-1” 24 hours a day, seven days a week if you need help in understanding and finding available assistance services. Language translation and TTY services are offered to any caller. You can also
search the database of services in your local community or Chat Live with an experienced community resource specialist. 2-1-1 will help identify with you the best local resources to fit your individual needs during times of financial distress or for life’s everyday situations.
If you know of additional resources that would be appropriate to include, please let us know by contacting us via e-mail at info@nj211.org.
Research Sources Include:
http://www.njcleanenergy.com/residential/programs/comfort-partners/comfort-partners
http://www.state.nj.us/dca/divisions/dhcr/offices/heausfincomefact.html
http://www.state.nj.us/dca/divisions/dhcr/offices/energy.html
http://www.state.nj.us/dca/divisions/dhcr/offices/eap.html#1
http://www.state.nj.us/dca/divisions/dhcr/faq/usf.html
http://www.state.nj.us/dca/divisions/dhcr/offices/docs/wapincomegl.pdf
http://www.state.nj.us/dca/divisions/dhcr/forms/docs/wealist.doc
http://www.state.nj.us/dca/divisions/dhcr/offices/wap.html
http://www.state.nj.us/bpu/assistance/programs/index.html
http://www.state.nj.us/dca/divisions/dhcr/offices/localagencies.html
http://www.njshares.org/whereToApply/county.asp
http://njcleanenergy.com/
http://www.newtanksnj.org/about_the_program.aspx
http://www.njcleanenergy.com/residential/programs/home-performance-energy-star/benefits-and-incentives
http://www.njcleanenergy.com/files/file/Residential%20Programs/HP/NJIncomeQualifiedHomePerformanceGuidelines.pdf
http://www.njeda.com/web/Aspx_pg/Templates/Pic_Text.aspx?Doc_Id=411&midid=1027&menuid=1027&topid=1018
Page last modified 11.8.11
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