NJ Residents Can Begin Applying for Help with Winter Heating Bills
November 01 2006 - 12:30PM
PR Newswire (US)
Officials Outline Available Assistance, Highlight Partnerships
Helping to Better Promote and Disperse Federal Energy Aid
Throughout the State TRENTON, N.J., Nov. 1 /PRNewswire/ --
Beginning today, New Jersey residents can apply for funding to help
offset the cost of their winter heating bills. Getting the word out
is critical, because while there's a tremendous need for energy
assistance, just 40% of those eligible actually apply. The NJ
Department of Community Affairs (DCA) and PSE&G, the state's
largest utility, are working to change that. "We are teaming with
DCA and working with hundreds of social service agencies and
community leaders across the state to build awareness and increase
program participation," said Ralph LaRossa, president of PSE&G.
"It's critical that we make people aware of the support available."
LIHEAP, formally known as the Low Income Home Energy Assistance
Program, provides low-income households with money to help pay
their winter heating bills. It is federally funded and state
administered. Income eligible residents can apply through select
community-based organizations. "As a result of Governor Corzine's
direction and leadership, and with the continued support of
PSE&G, the LIHEAP program will be run even more effectively and
efficiently this year. This will ensure that those most in need
will receive quick assistance," said Department of Community
Affairs Commissioner Susan Bass Levin. "It is critically important
that people go to their local community action agency or community
based organization in their area, or go to DCA's website, to
determine eligibility and get an application as soon as possible."
The LIHEAP season started today, and applications may be submitted
until March 31, 2007. The average LIHEAP grant is approximately
$400 and it generally takes 4-6 weeks to process a properly
completed application. The Universal Service Fund (USF) is a second
energy assistance program geared to the low-income community. When
consumers apply for LIHEAP, they are automatically applying for
this program too. Eligibility for USF is based on income and energy
use. The chart below provides maximum monthly income guideline
levels for both LIHEAP and USF. LIHEAP & USF Maximum Monthly
Gross Income Levels for the Period of 10/1/06 to 9/30/07 Maximum
Gross Household Maximum Gross Monthly Household Size Monthly Income
Size Income 1 $1,430 7 $4,405 2 $1,925 8 $4,900 3 $2,421 9 $5,396 4
$2,917 10 $5,892 5 $3,413 11 $6,388 6 $3,909 12 $6,703 Note: To
determine eligibility for household sizes greater than 12, add $135
for each additional member. The following PSE&G Customer
Service Centers will have representatives from community-based
organizations (on days and times specified) available to help
customers complete the LIHEAP/USF applications. * Bergen County
PSE&G Hackensack Customer Service Center 214 Hudson Street in
Hackensack PARTNER AGENCY: Bergen County CAP Monday - Thursday
(through March 31st), 9:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. * Essex County PSE&G
Newark Customer Service Center 80 Park Plaza in Newark PARTNER
AGENCY: La Casa de Don Pedro Monday - Friday (through March 31st),
9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. * PSE&G West Orange Customer Service
Center 59 Main Street in West Orange PARTNER AGENCY: La Casa de Don
Pedro Fridays only (through March 31st), 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. *
Union County PSE&G Plainfield Customer Service Center 120 West
Seventh Street in Plainfield PARTNER AGENCY: PROCEED Monday -
Friday (through March 31st), 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. * Hudson County
PSE&G Jersey City Customer Service Center 3 PATH Plaza in
Jersey City PARTNER AGENCY: PACO Every Tuesday and Wednesday, 9
a.m. to 4 p.m. (starting November 8th) Applications for LIHEAP and
USF are available at all of PSE&G's 16 Customer Service
Centers. Locations and hours are listed in their customer's bills.
More information can be found by calling the utility at
1-800-510-3102 or visiting
http://www.pseg.com/billpaymentassistance. LIHEAP is a federally
funded program administered by the Department of Community Affairs.
For more information from DCA, please call 609-633-6200, or log on
to http://www.nj.gov/dca/dcr/wap/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 National Achievement Award for superior
electric system reliability. PSE&G is a subsidiary of Public
Service Enterprise Group Incorporated (PSEG) (NYSE: PEG), a
diversified energy company (http://www.pseg.com/). DATASOURCE:
Public Service Electric and Gas Company CONTACT: Jenn Kramer of
PSE&G, +1-973-430-7734, or Sean Darcy of DCA, +1-609-292-6055
Web site: http://www.pseg.com/
http://www.nj.gov/dca/dcr/wap/index.shtml
http://www.pseg.com/billpaymentassistance
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