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Other Utility Programs that May Help

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 866-378-4345 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.

Payment Assistance for Gas & Electric (PAGE) Program

The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities funds the PAGE program. The program is administered through NJ SHARES. 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: Low Income or Moderate Income
  • 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:

Find contact information for participating agencies.

To learn more call 1-866-657-4273 or visit the NJ SHARES - Energy website or view the NJ BPU Program Info document.

NJ SHARES

New Jersey Statewide Heating Assistance and Referral Energy Service, Inc. (NJSHARES) - is a non-profit organization that administers an energy-assistance program that assists households who do not qualify for federal or state energy programs and whose income is between 200-400 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 

SUBMIT AN ONLINE APPLICATION
PAPER APPLICATIONS

Lifeline Program

The Lifeline Program is a utility assistance program for older adults and people with disabilities that offers a $225 annual benefit to persons who meet the PAAD eligibility requirements or who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI). This includes utility customers as well as tenants whose utility bills are included in their rent.

Lifeline consists of three programs:

  • The Lifeline Credit Program provides a $225 annual benefit in the form of a credit on electric and gas utility bills for eligible beneficiaries.
  • The Tenants Lifeline Assistance Program provides a $225 annual benfit in the form of a check to eligible tenants who have the cost of gas and electric utilities included in their rent.
  • The Special Utility Supplement provides a supplement of up to $18.75 a month to recipients of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in place of a Lifeline Utility credit or Tenants Lifeline Assistance payment.

In order to be eligible for Lifeline, beneficiaries must:

  • Be a recipient of Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled (PAAD) or meet the PAAD eligibility requirements; or 
  • Be a recipient of either Medical Assistance to the Aged (MAA), Medical Assistance Only (MAO) or New Jersey Care.

For 2024, in order to be eligible for PAAD, you must:

  • Be a New Jersey resident;
  • Be age 65 or older or between ages 18 and 64 and receiving Social Security Disability; and
  • Have income less than $52,142 if single or less than $59,209 if married.

If you are not a beneficiary of PAAD, but you meet the above eligibility requirements, please complete an NJSave application. Persons applying for PAAD can also apply for the Lifeline benefit by answering the questions that pertain to the Lifeline programs.

Persons who are beneficiaries of Medical Assistance to the Aged (MMA), Medical Assistance Only (MAO), or New Jersey Care, are sent Lifeline applications automatically every August.

For additional information, call our toll free Hotline at 1-800-792-9745.

Winter Termination Program

The Winter Termination Program prevents service discontinuation for eligible residential customers receiving residential electric, sewer and water service from a local authority, municipal utility, or rural electric cooperative from November 15th through March 15th. Those enrolled in certain other programs (including Supplemental Security Income, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, USF,  GA, HEA, 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 program view the Winter Terminatiion flyer, visit the DCAID portal, or connect with 211.

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