NEWARK, N.J., Jan. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- PSE&G has good news for those struggling to pay their utility bills: Additional funding is available to help customers having difficulty meeting their financial obligations because of a temporary setback. Customers may qualify for as much as $1,000 to help pay outstanding electric and gas bills.
"This is welcome relief for those who have unexpectedly fallen on hard times," said Joseph A. Forline, PSE&G Vice President-Customer Operations. "More and more people are being laid off or forced to work fewer hours because of the economic downturn. Plummeting temperatures makes the problem even worse. We want customers to know that funding is available to help them through a crisis."
The State of New Jersey has released $10 million in additional funding to allow the non-profit NJ SHARES to expand the number of residents who can receive temporary assistance. NJ SHARES provides help to households that are not eligible for other types of assistance like the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program and Universal Service Fund. There is no income eligibility requirement to receive a NJ SHARES grant, but applicants must demonstrate a temporary financial need and have a good record of having paid their utility bills. The funds are administered through a statewide network of community-based social service agencies.
"In just one week nearly $1 million in grant money has been distributed. Grants are being processed on a first-come, first served basis," said Eileen Leahey, PSE&G's manager of payment outreach assistance. "We are urging people to go to their local NJ SHARES agency immediately to complete an application; it is imperative that people apply quickly before the funding runs out."
PSE&G is involved in an active program to help spread the word about NJ SHARES and New Jersey's other assistance programs. Post cards are being sent to customers who have fallen behind on their payments, and mailings are going out to thousands of religious and community organizations asking them to spread the word. PSE&G's customer service phone lines are carrying messages about NJ SHARES and other payment assistance programs and service representatives are prepared to share the information. Additionally, all PSE&G employees are being asked to help distribute program information to organizations and schools in the communities in which they live.
"People are struggling to deal with the economic downturn," Leahey said. "PSE&G wants to help wherever we can, and so customers who are having problems paying their bills should contact us immediately. Once the company understands the customer's situation, there are ways to make energy expenses more manageable, including an affordable payment plan and information about energy assistance programs."
For information on how and where to apply for NJ SHARES, go to http://www.njshares.org/ or call toll free 1-866-NJSHARES (1-866-657-4273.)
For more information on additional resources available to help manage PSE&G bills, visit http://www.pseg.com/help.
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/).
