Our customers who need assistance paying their utility bills during the coronavirus pandemic may be eligible for the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), a federally-funded program administered by the New Jersey Department of Human Services. This program can provide cash and emergency assistance to help income-eligible residents with their heating and cooling bills. It also offers emergency heating system repair and emergency fuel assistance.
A family of four may qualify if their monthly income is $4,292 or less. The program is open until July 31, 2020. Visit nj.gov/dca/dcaid for more information or to apply.
If you or someone you know needs financial assistance, NJ HEAP – along with several other programs – may be able to help.
These programs include:
- Universal Service Fund (USF) (along with HEAP): Apply at nj.gov/dca/dcaid or by calling the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs at 609-292-4080.
- USF helps reduce the monthly cost for electric service and/or offers debt forgiveness for income-eligible customers. A family of four may qualify if their monthly income is $3,970 or less.
- Payment Assistance for Gas and Electric (PAGE): Apply at NJPowerOn.org or by calling 732-982-8710.
- PAGE helps low- to moderate-income households across New Jersey struggling to pay their electric and natural gas bills. A family of four may qualify if their annual income is between $51,516 and $118,440.
- Lifeline: Apply at the Lifeline Website or by calling 609-588-7182
- Lifeline is a utility assistance program that offers an annual benefit to persons who meet the PAAD eligibility requirements or who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI). This includes utility customers as well as tenants whose utility bills are included in rent. Lifeline offers the Lifeline Credit program, the Tenants Lifeline Assistance Program and the Special Utility Supplement. To qualify you must have income less than $27,951 if single or less than $34,268 if married.
- NJ211 helps people get connected to vital programs and services. Dial 211; text your ZIP code to 898-211; or visit nj211.org.
You also can visit FirstEnergyCorp.com/BillAssistNJ and click on “Search Assistance Programs” for more information about these and other assistance and service programs.