New Jersey Energy Assistance Programs
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, LIHEAP, is a federally funded program that helps families and individuals with their energy bills. New Jersey's program is administered by the Department of Community Affairs. Assistance is provided for heating assistance, medically necessary cooling assistance, and emergency crisis assistance. Applications are available November 1 through a network of local application agencies.
Households certified for LIHEAP and/or the Universal Service Fund are protected against utility shut-offs from November 15 to March 15, in accordance with the Board of Public Utilities Winter Termination Program.
Eligibility is based on a household's total income. The gross monthly income limits are equal to 175% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. The gross monthly income limits for the 2007-2008 application period have been established as follows:
Household Size |
Gross Monthly Income |
| 1 | $1,489 |
| 2 | $1,997 |
| 3 | $2,504 |
| 4 | $3,012 |
| 5 | $3,519 |
| 6 | $4,027 |
| 7 | $4,534 |
| 8 | $5,042 |
| 9 | $5,549 |
| 10 | $6,057 |
| 11 | $6,564 |
| 12 | $6,770 |
| For each additional person add | $135 |
The following are available for downloading:
- LIHEAP/USF/Weatherization Assistance application in PDF format. See the 'Get Adobe Reader' icon on the left if you need to download the free Adobe Reader to view PDF files located on this site.
- Local Application Agencies
- 2008 Fact Sheet and Income Guidelines
- Information Sheet on LIHEAP and USF
- Energy Assistance Brochure and Energy Assistance Brochure in Spanish
- Tenant Form and Medical Documentation for Cooling Assistance You can use these forms as many local application agencies often require renters to submit a tenant form and for cooling applicants to submit a doctor's form.
- USF Frequently Asked Questions
Other energy programs include:
- Universal Service Fund (USF) - a state funded program. Eligibility requirements include: 1) income less than or equal to 175% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (see chart above); 2) USF applicant must reside at the address provided on their utility account, and 3) an energy burden defined as a bill greater than 3% of household income, or 6% if electric heat. Benefits are credited monthly to the utility account. Households found eligible for LIHEAP benefits are automatically screened for USF. Applications for USF are available year round.
- Lifeline Credit Program - a state funded program and is available to people at least 65 years of age or disabled and receiving Social Security disability benefits. The 2008 income limits are $23,092 for an individual or $28,313 if married. Applicants can call the Lifeline/PAAD Hotline at 800-792-9745 or their County Office on Aging.
- New Jersey SHARES - a statewide 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides assistance to electric and gas customers without regard to income. Applicants must demonstrate a temporary financial need and a history of good-faith payments. Households receiving other benefit programs (LIHEAP, USF, TANF, GA) are not eligible. NJ SHARES is comprised of a network of community nonprofit organizations. Their toll free phone number is 866-657-4273.
- Gift of Warmth fund is available to help New Jersey Natural Gas customers pay their heating bills during times of financial hardship.
- Weatherization Assistance Program - a federally funded program. It enables low-income families to permanently reduce their energy bills by making their homes more energy efficient. The income limits are the same as LIHEAP. The program is administered on the local level by community based organizations under the auspices of the Department of Community Affairs.
- Comfort Partners - is a state funded program designed to improve energy affordability for income eligible households. Eligibility requirements include: a household with significant electric use, income within 175% of the Federal Poverty Index or receiving USF, Lifeline, or Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled (PAAD). Participants receive installation of cost effective energy efficiency measures for their home plus personalized energy education and counseling. New Jersey Comfort Partners phone number is 888-773-8326.
- New Jersey Clean Energy Program is administered by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities with the intent of providing information, technical assistance and financial incentives to households, business, and governmental organizations. It provides rebates for energy efficient products, incentives for renewable energy, and assistance for commercial, industrial and governmental facilities. For details call the Board of Public Utilities at 877-786-5278 and ask about their Clean Energy Program.
Households that receive Food Stamps may receive automatic heating benefits through their County Welfare Agency. For additional information contact the state LIHEAP Hotline at 800-510-3102 or the USF Hotline at 866-240-1347 or visit the state LIHEAP website. To obtain information on LIHEAP in other states see the National Energy Assistance page.
