NEWARK, N.J., Oct. 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- PSE&G, state officials, and community organizations today launched an aggressive effort to ensure that New Jersey residents eligible for assistance in paying their utility bills this winter receive the help they need. The federal Low Income Heating Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is being funded at dramatically increased levels over last year and money is available to help thousands of people pay their heating bills this winter.
During this period of major economic uncertainty and with a $77 million increase in funding available, existing LIHEAP households will receive a larger benefit and many more households will be able to participate in the program for the first time.
"Much work needs to be done to ensure that low income utility customers find out about all the benefits that are available to them," said Ralph LaRossa, president of PSE&G. "New Jersey government, PSE&G, and community based organizations are partnering in an extensive effort to ensure that much needed assistance reaches every person eligible to receive it."
New Jersey's LIHEAP program budget is $185.7 million, ranking it seventh nationwide in terms of dollars available to help at-risk utility customers. The average benefit for gas will increase to $387. The average electric benefit will increase to $358. Families whose heating bill is included in their rent will receive an average increase to $341. The medically necessary cooling benefit will increase to $200 from $100.
"Governor Corzine's leadership on this issue will allow nearly 50,000 additional families to take advantage of LIHEAP," said Department of Community Affairs Commissioner Joe Doria. "Those who need this assistance should contact their local community action agency or community based organization to determine their eligibility and get an application."
PSE&G, the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA), and the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities are partnering in an aggressive outreach program to spread the word. Materials will be developed and distributed statewide and at payment assistance outreach days that will be held in urban neighborhoods. DCA has also implemented a recertification process that makes it much easier for people to qualify for the program.
The utility is notifying the public about new payment assistance options and broadened eligibility guidelines through customer bill inserts, messaging and assistance in our customer service centers, information sent to school districts and faith-based organizations, staff training at social service agencies throughout the state, advertisements on NJ Transit buses in major cities and via bi-lingual press releases and brochures.
LIHEAP is designed to help low-income families and individuals meet home heating and medically necessary cooling costs. The program comes to New Jersey as a Federal Block Grant. National funding this year is $5.1 billion, an unprecedented increase over the $2.57 billion provided last season. The NJ DCA administers LIHEAP and, through the efforts of Commissioner Doria, this year's enrollment period has been extended. Individuals and families may apply from November 3 through April 30. Applications must be submitted to designated community action agencies or community based organizations. Applications are available at PSE&G's 16 customer service centers, and representatives from community based organizations will be available at many of these centers to help people complete applications.
To be eligible for LIHEAP benefits, an applicant must be responsible for home heating, either directly or if the cost is included in rent, and have gross income below 225 percent of the federal poverty level. This would equate to a family of four with monthly income of $3,975 or annual income of $47,700. In addition to income, the amount of the benefit is determined by household size, fuel type, and heating region.
New Jersey residents may also be eligible for other programs that can provide a helping hand during this period of economic uncertainty. The Universal Service Fund (USF) is available to low income customers, and the NJ Lifeline Credit Program, available to eligible disabled adults and low income elderly, provides a $225 yearly credit toward a customer's electric or gas bill.
The chart below provides maximum monthly income guideline levels for LIHEAP and for USF.
LIHEAP AND USF INCOME GUIDELINES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2009 Household Monthly Gross Household Monthly Gross Size Income Size Income 1 $1,950 7 $6,000 2 $2,625 8 $6,675 3 $3,300 9 $7,350 4 $3,975 10 $8,025 5 $4,650 11 $8,677 6 $5,325 12 $8,854 To determine eligibility for household sizes greater than 12, add $177 for each additional member.
Applications and information about these vital assistance programs are available on PSE&G's Web site at http://www.pseg.com/billpaymentassistance. Applications are available at PSE&G customer service centers. Locations and hours are listed on customer bills. Information can also be found by calling the Department of Community Affairs at 1-800-510-3102, or online at http://www.state.nj.us/dca/dcr/hea/index.shtml .
Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G) is New Jersey's oldest and largest regulated gas and electric delivery utility, serving nearly three-quarters of the state's population. PSE&G is the winner of the ReliabilityOne Award for superior electric system reliability. PSE&G is a subsidiary of Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated (PSEG) , a diversified energy company (http://www.pseg.com/).
