Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
LIHEAP or HEA is a federally funded program that helps low-income households pay
for heating costs (includes: electric, natural gas, oil and other deliverable fuels). Even if
your heat is included in your rent, you may qualify. LIHEAP grants are also available for medically necessary cooling costs. Applications are accepted from October 1 through April 30 . LIHEAP is administered by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs.
Universal Service (USF)
USF is a program created by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities to help low-income households pay for their electric and natural gas costs. To be eligible for USF, your household must: 1) Be income eligible and 2) spend more than three percent of household income on gas and/or electricity; (or spend more than six percent of
household income on electric heating). Apply any time of the year. USF is administered by the Department of Community Affairs.
For USF/LIHEAP applications, a list of agencies that accept USF/LIHEAP applications and more information, call toll free at 1-800-510-3102 or visit the website below.
Lifeline Program
The Lifeline Utility Assistance Program is for eligible low-income senior citizens and the disabled. Lifeline benefits help eligible homeowners and renters with electric and natural gas costs. Apply for Lifeline with the Pharmaceutical Assistance for the Aged and Disabled (PAAD) application. Call: 1-800-792-9745 for more information or visit the program’s website below. Lifeline is made possible by the Board of Public Utilities and is administered by the Department of Human Services.
PAGE Program
The PAGE grant helps low to moderate income households not eligible for LIHEAP or USF pay their natural gas and electric bills. Review eligibility requirements, print an application, find a local application agency or apply online at: www.njpoweron.org or call 732-982-8710. PAGE is made possible by the Board of Public Utilities and is administered by the Affordable Housing Alliance.
New Jersey Shares (NJ Shares)
NJ SHARES provides assistance to households in need of temporary help paying their energy bills due to a financial crisis. Applicants must have a history of good-faith payments with their energy company and not be eligible for LIHEAP, USF, TRUE or PAGE programs. Call 866-657-4273.
Winter Termination Program (WTP)
WTP protects residential customers from disconnection of natural gas and electric service from November 15th – March 15th if they participate in: USF, LIHEAP, Lifeline Utility Assistance Program, Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled (PAAD), Work First New Jersey/Temporary Assistance to Needy
Families, or Federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Also, persons unable to pay their utility bills because of circumstances beyond their control may request the protection of WTP. Customers should make every effort to pay as much of their bill as possible during the WTP period to avoid a large overdue balance at the end of the WTP.
How do I enroll in WTP?
You must call your utility company and request protection under the WTP and explain
why you need this protection. For more information about the WTP, or if you have a complaint about your utility company, please call the Board of Public Utilities at: 1-800-624-0241. You can also view the Utility Customer’s Bill of Rights using the link below.
NJ 2-1-1
Dial 2-1-1 any day, any time for confidential referrals to local health and human service assistance services or search NJ 2-1-1’s on-line database at: www.nj211.org. NJ 2-1-1 is funded by the United Ways of NJ in partnership with the State of NJ.
