Do You Need Help With Your Utility Bills? New Jersey Provides Programs That Can Help Lower Your Bills
How NJ Can Help: Have Your Home Weatherized for Free!
Eligible participants are provided with:
A free home energy audit to see how much money can be saved on energy bills through weatherization.
Installation of recommended free energy efficiency measures, which may include energy efficient appliance replacement at no cost.
New Jersey offers two free Weatherization programs:
COMFORT PARTNERS: Comfort Partners is an energy saving and education program that directly installs energy savings measures at NO COST to qualified low-income customers. Call 1-866-378-4345 or go to: www.njcleanenergy.com/ (electric or gas heat only). Sponsored by the NJ Board of Public Utilities’ New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program™.
Weatherization Assistance Program: This Department of Community Affairs program assists qualified, low-income households in weatherizing their homes, improving their heating system efficiency and conserving energy. Households that apply for USF or LIHEAP can check a box on that application to request weatherization. For more information go to: www.energyassistance.nj.gov
Community Solar: Customers who participate in this program typically receive a 15-25% discount on their electricity bills from remotely located solar panels. Visit www.sustainablejersey.com/communitysolar
Sponsored by the NJ Board of Public Utilities’ New Jersey Clean Energy Program.
How NJ Can Help: Other Programs
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
Funded by the United Ways of NJ in partnership with the State of New Jersey
Winter Termination Program (WTP)
WTP protects residential customers from disconnection of natural gas, electric, water and sewer service from November 15th - March 15th if they participate in: USF, LIHEAP, Lifeline, Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled (PAAD), Work First New Jersey/Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, or Federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or applicants of any State, local, or utility program that provides assistance or discounted rates for wastewater or water bills. Also, persons unable to pay their utility bills because of circumstances beyond their control may request the protection of WTP. Customers must make a good faith payment to enroll.
How do I enroll in WTP?
Call your utility company to request WTP protection. For more information, or if you have a complaint about your utility company, call the Board of Public Utilities at 800-624-0241. You can also view the Utility Customer’s Bill of Rights at the website: www.nj.gov/bpu/assistance/rights/
LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LIHEAP)
LIHEAP or HEA is a federally funded program that helps low-moderate income households pay for heating costs (all fuel types). 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 June 30 while funds last. (See chart on next page for income limits). Administered by the Department of Community Affairs.
UNIVERSAL SERVICE FUND (USF)
USF is a program that provides monthly credits on income eligible residential electric and natural gas bills. The USF-Fresh Start Program provides eligible USF customers with an opportunity to earn forgiveness on their overdue balances. USF-Fresh Start is available to USF customers no more than once in a five year period. USF is administered by the Department of Community Affairs. Fresh Start is administered by the gas/electric companies and made possible by the Board of Public Utilities.
NOT SURE IF YOU ARE ELIGIBLE?
Self-screen for utility, rental or other assistance by visiting: www.nj.gov/dca/dcaid or calling 2-1-1.
Apply for USF and LIHEAP online at www.nj.gov/dca/dcaid or call 800-510-3102 to have an application mailed to you or to find an application agency near you.
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 online with the NJSave application at: www.agingnj.gov or call 1-800-792-9745. Administered by the Department of Human Services and made possible by the Board of Public Utilities.
SHARES
SHARES is a non-profit organization that provides assistance to income-eligible New Jersey households for paying their energy, telephone, broadband (internet), water, and wastewater bills.
PAYMENT ASSISTANCE FOR GAS AND ELECTRIC (PAGE)
PAGE grants help gas and electric customers prevent disconnection of service or restore service. If income eligible for USF or LIHEAP, apply for those programs first before seeking additional assistance through PAGE. To apply online or review eligibility requirements, visit: www.sharesnation.org or call 866-657-4273. Administered by NJ SHARES and made possible by the NJ Department of Treasury and the NJ Board of Public Utilities.
Please click here to download a PDF of this brochure in English.
Please click here to download a PDF of this brochure in Spanish.