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STRUGGLING TO PAY YOUR ENERGY BILLS? HELP IS AVAILABLE!

Whether you are on a limited income or experiencing unanticipated financial hardship, there are energy assistance and home energy improvement programs available to help qualified households better manage their energy costs. 

The programs are implemented through state-designated agencies throughout New Jersey. To find the energy assistance application site nearest your home click here or call Infoline at 2-1-1. Below is a listing of federal, state and NJNG-sponsored energy assistance and home energy improvement programs. 

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) (Income based)
LIHEAP is a federally funded program that helps income-eligible households pay for heating costs and medically necessary cooling costs. If heat is included in your rent, you may still qualify. Because LIHEAP provides support on a first-come, first-served basis, it is important to apply as early as possible.

Enrollment Date: October 1 through April 30

Who is eligible?
Customers with a household income at or below LIHEAP income guidelines can apply. The amount of benefits varies depending on household income and size.

How to apply?
Applications are accepted at, and processed by, your local state-designated agency. (For persons age 60 or over, or who are disabled, applications may be received and returned by mail.) To get an application:

• download an application,
• call 800-510-3102 or
• visit your local state-designated agency

Universal Service Fund (USF) (Income Based)
The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs administers USF. It is designed to help make energy bills more affordable for income-eligible households, providing credits on monthly natural gas and/or electricity bills.

Enrollment Date: Year-round

Who is eligible?
Eligibility is based on total household income and the amount of money a family or individual typically pays for natural gas and electric bills.

How to apply?
Applications are accepted at, and processed by, your local CAP agency. While households may apply for USF at any time, customers are encouraged to submit a joint USF/LIHEAP application (during the LIHEAP enrollment period) to determine eligibility for both. To get an application:

• download an application,
• call 866-240-1347 or
• visit your local state-designated agency

Payment Assistance for Gas & Electric (PAGE)
PAGE is a new state-funded utility assistance program, administered by the Affordable Housing Alliance (AHA) through select state-designated agencies. It is designed to help low-to moderate-income New Jersey households who are experiencing economic hardship and struggling to pay thier electric and natural gas bills. 

Enrollment Date: Year-round; funds are allocated on a first-come, first served basis.

Who is Eigible?                                                                                                    
Customers may qualify if they meet household income and program guidelines, have not received USF in the past six months or LIHEAP within the last heating season, have a documented notice of overdue payment or disconnect of natural gas/or electric service and have made regular payments in recent history toward their utility bills.

How to Apply?

Applications are accepted at,and processed by, the AHA and select state-designated agencies. To get an application:

• apply online
• call 855-465-8786
• visit your local participating state-designated agency

Temporary Relief for Utility Expenses (TRUE)
The TRUE program is a state-funded income-based grant administered by the Affordable Housing Alliance through select state-designated agencies. This one-time grant is designed for low- to middle-income residents who are struggling to pay their electric and natural gas bills.

Enrollment Date: Year-round; funds are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

Who is eligible?
Customers may qualify if they meet household income and size criteria, are ineligible to receive LIHEAP or USF, have current utility service with a documented notice of a past due bill and have made at least four payments of $25 or more in the past six months. 

How to apply?
Applications are accepted at, and processed by, the AHA and select state-designated agencies. To get an application:

• apply online,
• call 855-465-8783 or
• visit your local participating state-designated agency

New Jersey Lifeline Credit Program (Lifeline)
Lifeline is a utility assistance program for income-eligible seniors administered by the state Department of Health and Senior Services, which provides an annual credit of $112.50, respectively, on only natural gas and electricity bills. The credit is applied directly to the utility account. The benefit is also available to customers who have electric and natural gas costs included in their rent.

Enrollment date: Year round

Who is eligible?
Seniors who are at least 65 years old and meet the Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and the Disabled (PAAD) criteria, and adults 18 years of age and older who receive Social Security Disability, can apply. Only one member per a household is eligible.

How to apply?
Applications are accepted at, and processed by, a local state-designated agency. (If you currently receive Social Security Income, your Lifeline credit is automatically included in your monthly check.) To get an application:

• call 800-792-9745,
• download an application,
• call 800-221-0051 to speak with an NJNG customer service representative or
• visit your local state-designated agency

New Jersey (NJ) SHARES 
NJ SHARES is a statewide fund that provides assistance to fixed- to moderate-income households faced with unique financial hardships that require temporary help to pay their energy, telephone and water bills. Benefits are provided as a one-time payment.

Enrollment date: Year round; funding is limited

Who is eligible?
To qualify, applicants must meet NJ SHARES income guidelines, are ineligible for LIHEAP or USF benefits, must demonstrate a temporary financial need and have a current history of good faith payments with their utility company. Grants must result in continuance and/or restoration of service.

How to apply?
Applications are accepted at, and processed by, state-designated agencies. To get an application:

• call 866-NJSHARES (866-657-4273)
• or visit your local participating state-designated agency

Gift of Warmth (GOW)
Established by NJNG, GOW helps income-eligible households, as well as customers experiencing temporary or unanticipated financial hardship, pay their natural gas bills. This program is administered by the United Way through state-designated agencies.

Enrollment date: Year round.

Who is eligible?
The Gift of Warmth fund helps income-eligible households, as well as customers experiencing temporary or unanticipated financial hardship.

How to apply?
Applications are accepted at, and processed by, a local state-designated agency. To get an application:

• call 800-221-0051 and speak with an NJNG customer service representative

New Jersey Comfort Partners
Comfort Partners is sponsored by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities and administered by natural gas and electric utilities throughout the state. The FREE program offers energy saving and energy education for limited-income customers. And it provides qualified customers with FREE home energy-efficiency improvements, determined on a home-specific basis, to help lower energy bills.

Enrollment date: Year round

Who is eligible?
The program is available to households with significant energy use, meeting income guidelines. Households that receive USF, Lifeline or PAAD are eligible. Applicants must be a customer of record with a metered utility.

How to apply?
For additional information call 732-938-1494 or visit njcleanenergy.com.

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.