Download the full 2009/2010 Energy and Utility Assistance Guide (PDF)

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. It is important to note that the 2009 income limits have changed so that more families may qualify.

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 typically 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 225% of the federal poverty level. The chart below gives specific monthly gross income maximums for FFY 2009. 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.

For information about the program and LIHEAP applications or to download an application visit www.energyassistance.nj.gov or Download the Application Form, Instructions and Required Documents (PDF File)

NOTE: Please submit the completed application to your Local Application Agency.

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 2009 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 or go to the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities Web site.

New Jersey Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
and
Universal Service Fund (USF)

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. Simply pay your current USF-supplemented bill on time and in-full every month and after 12 months of full on-time payments, your 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.

Additional Information:

• LIHEAP/USF Fact Sheet, Income Guidelines
• Local Application Agency's Contact Information
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about USF (PDF File)

New Jersey Statewide Heating Assistance and Referral Energy Service, Inc. (NJSHARES) New Jersey SHARES, Inc. is 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. New Jersey SHARES partners with more than 275 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 can received up to $700 on their electric heat account. Grants are distributed year-round based on funding availability. To donate or apply for the New Jersey SHARES program, please call toll-free 1-866-NJSHARES (1-866-657-4273) or visit www.njshares.org.

WHERE TO APPLY FOR NJ SHARES IN YOUR COUNTY

Lifeline Program

Lifeline is 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 for only electricity and natural gas. Approximately 314,000 people received over $70 million in Lifeline benefits last year. 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), Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled (PAAD) from having their gas or electric service disconnected during the winter months. The Program is administered by the Board of Public Utilities. For more information on the Winter Termination Program, call 800-624-0241.

Comfort Partners

The New Jersey Comfort Partners 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
Rockland Electric 1-800-231-0427
Elizabethtown Gas: 1-888-773-8326
NJ Natural Gas: 1-800-221-0051, press 3, then 4, then 2
South Jersey Gas: 1-800-648-0138
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 1-800-510-3012 or see below to find the county office that serves your home.

Weatherization Assistance Program

The Weatherization Assistance Program provides free comprehensive energy conservation improvements to reduce residential heat loss and energy consumption. The 2009 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.

Weatherization Assistance Program

WEATHERIZATION MANAGERS
Updated 10/06/09

County	Contact/Location	Phone	Additional Information
ATLANTIC	Miriam Lopez Tri-County Community Action Agency	856-455-5900	Service Area Buena; Buena Vista; Hamilton; Weymouth; Estell Manor; Egg Harbor; Corbin City
	Michele Brown-Williams Camden County Council on Economic Opportunity (OEO)	856-910-1180	Service Area Hammonton; Folsom; Mullica; Egg Harbor City
	Todd Erickson Ocean Inc.	609-407-2467 Ext. 17	Service Area Port Republic; Galloway; Absecon; Pleasantville; Atlantic City; Northfield; Linwood; Ventnor City; Egg Harbor; Margate City; Somers Point; Long Port
BERGEN	David Wenegrat Bergen County Community Action Program, Inc. 241 Moore St. Hackensack, NJ 07604	201-968-0200-Ext. 7009 201-968-0243 Fax	9:00am to 5:00pm M-F
BURLINGTON	Ann Francemore Burlington County Community Action Program, Inc. 1 Van Sciver Pkwy. Willingboro, NJ 08016	609-239-4005 609-386-6538 Fax	9:00am to 5:00 pm M-F
CAMDEN	Michele Brown-Williams Camden County Council on Economic Opportunity 5287 Rt 70 Pennsauken, NJ 08109	856-910-1180 856-910-1186 Fax	9:00 am to 5:00 pm M-F
CAPE MAY	George Blackman Cape Human Resources, Inc. Wildwood Community Center 4104 New Jersey Ave. Wildwood, NJ 08260	609-465-4531 609-522-0532 Fax	9:00am to 5:00pm M-F
CUMBERLAND	Miriam Lopez Tri-County CAP 110 Cohansey St. Bridgeton, NJ 08302	856-455-5900 856-455-7288 Fax	8:30 am to 4:30pm M-F
ESSEX	Norma Sessa La Casa De Don Pedro 317 Roseville Ave. Newark, NJ 07107	973-485-0701 973-485-7555 Fax	9:00am to 5:00 pm M-F
	Lana Stokes (Acting) First Hopewell Multi-Purpose Center 525 Orange Street Newark, NJ 07107	973-497-9582 973-482-3364 Fax
GLOUCESTER	Miriam Lopez Tri-County CAP 110 Cohansey St. Bridgeton, NJ 08302	856-455-5900 856-455-7288 Fax	8:30am to 4:30pm M-F
HUDSON	Daniel Mackiewicz Bayonne Economic Opportunity Foundation 555 Kennedy Blvd. Bayonne, NJ 07002	201-437-7222 201-217-9850 Fax	9:00 am to 5:00pm M-F
	Carmen Quintana Puertorriquenos Asociados for Asociados For Community Organization 3700 Bergenline Ave. Union City, NJ 07087	201-864-3774 201-864-0787 Fax	9:00 am to 5:00pm M-F
HUNTERDON	John Korp Northwest NJ Community Action Program, Inc. 350 Marshall St. Phillipsburg, NJ 08865	908-454-7000 908-454-3768 Fax	Hours 8:00am to 4:00pm M-F
MERCER	Anthony Pragliola, Interim WAP Manager County of Mercer - Housing & Community Development 640 South Broad Street, Rm 420 Trenton, NJ 08650-0068	(609) 989-6858 (609) 989-0306 fax apragliola@mercercounty.org	9:00am to 3:45pm M-F
MIDDLESEX	Esteban Rivera Puerto Rican Action Board 90 Jersey Ave., P.O. Box 240 New Brunswick, NJ 08903	732-828-4541 732-828-3591 Fax	8:30am to 4:30pm M-F
MONMOUTH	Wilbur Martin Check-Mate, Inc. 910 4th Ave. P.O. Box 1288 Asbury Park, NJ 07712	732-774-1638 732-774-1639 Fax	9:00am to 4:30pm M-F
MORRIS	Rosa Soto Morris County Organization For Hispanic Affairs, Inc. 97 Bassett Hwy Dover, NJ 07801	973-366-1131 973-361-7878 Fax	9:00am to 5:00pm M-F
	Williams Primus Urban League of Morris County 300 Madison Avenue Morristown, NJ 07960	973-539-2121 973-998-6520 Fax
OCEAN	Todd Erickson Ocean, Inc. 40 Washington St. Toms River, NJ 08754	732-244-8176 Ext. 20 732-244-5396Fax EMAIL-terickson@oceaninc.org	8:30am to 1:00pm - 2:00am to 4:30pm M-F
PASSAIC	Carol Ryle Passaic County Weatherization 1310 Route 23 North Wayne, NJ. 07470	973-305-5730 973-305-0843 Fax	9:00am to 4:00 pm M-F
	Lana R. Stokes Paterson Task Force 155 Ellison St. Paterson, NJ 07505	973-279-2333 973-279-2334 Fax	9:00am to 4:00pm M-F
	Eleanor Williams United Passaic Organization 41 Myrtle Ave. Passaic, NJ 07055	973-472-2478 973-472-5474 Fax	9:00am to 4:00pm M-F
SALEM	Miriam Lopez Tri-County CAP 110 Cohansey St. Bridgeton, NJ 08302	856-455-5900 856-455-0920 Fax	8:30am to 4:30pm M-F
SOMERSET	John Korp Northwest NJ Community (Norwescap) Action Program, Inc. 350 Marshall St. Phillipsburg, NJ 08865	908-454-7000 908-454-3768 Fax	8:00am to 4:00pm M-F
	Alicia Carman Somerset County CAP 429 Lewis Street Somerset, NJ 08873	732-846-9888 732-846-7569 Fax acarman@somersetcap.org	9:00am to 5pm M-F
SUSSEX	John Korp Northwest NJ Community (Norwescap) Action Program, Inc. 350 Marshall St. Phillipsburg, NJ 08865	908-454-7000 908-454-3768 Fax	8:00am to 4:00pm M-F
UNION	Joseph Sardina Proceed, Inc. 1126 Dickinson St. Elizabeth, NJ 07201	908-351-7727 908-353-5185 Fax	9:00am to 4:00pm M-F
	For Walk-in applicants: 120 E. 7th St. Plainfield, NJ 07060 Mailing Address is: 1126 Dickinson St. Elizabeth, NJ 07201	908-351-7727 908-353-5185 Fax	8:30am to 4:30pm M-F

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/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

Page last modified 11.30.09