Customer Center

If you are having trouble paying your energy bills, you may qualify for energy assistance. Programs are available to help income-eligible households, as well as customers experiencing temporary or unanticipated difficulties, such as unemployment or illness.

A listing of programs providing energy assistance follows. To learn if you qualify, contact the program directly. You may be eligible for assistance from more than one program.

• Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)/Universal Service Fund (USF)
  The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) provides financial assistance to help income-eligible individuals with their utility bills. This program is administered by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs through local Community Action Program (CAP) agencies. Applications for HEAP are automatically reviewed for eligibility for the Universal Service Fund, a statewide program that provides assistance based on household income and utility energy costs. For more information or to download an application, click here or contact one of the following CAP agencies in your county.
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  Middlesex County - Puerto Rican Action Board	732-828-4541
  Monmouth County - Check Mate Inc.	732-502-8855 or 732-775-4442
  Morris County - Organization for Hispanic Affairs, Inc.	973-366-1131
  Ocean County - Ocean, Inc.	732-244-9041

  
  
• Gift of Warmth Fund
  A fund established by New Jersey Natural Gas to help customers with financial difficulties who cannot afford to pay their energy bills. The Gift of Warmth fund helps income-eligible households, as well as customers experiencing temporary or unanticipated financial hardship. Each year we invite our customers, shareholders and employees to help families in our service territory by contributing to the fund. This program is administered by the United Way through local Community Action Program (CAP) agencies. Contact the agency in your county for more information.
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  Monmouth and Middlesex Counties - Check Mate Inc.	732-502-8855 or 732-775-4442
  Morris County - Organization for Hispanic Affairs, Inc.	973-366-1131
  Ocean County - Ocean, Inc.	732-244-9041

  
  
• New Jersey Statewide Heating Assistance and Referral for Energy Services (NJ SHARES)
  A statewide fund that helps individuals and families in need of temporary financial assistance to pay their energy bills as well as those who have exhausted other forms of energy assistance. Eligibility is based upon need, not income guidelines. The program is administered by local Community Action Program (CAP) agencies and other area agencies. Call 1-866-657-4273 to find the agency in your area or visit http://www.njshares.org/.
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• Lifeline Credit Program
  A special benefits program for the aged and disabled that is administered by the New Jersey Department of Health & Senior Services. For information, call 1-800-792-9745.
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• Helpful Notification Services
  You may designate a third party (friend, relative or social service agency) to receive a duplicate copy of any discontinuance notice for nonpayment of your bill. This third party is under no obligation to pay. You can apply for this service by contacting our Customer Services Inquiry Center.