New Jersey Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G) assistance programs.
Customers who need help paying their New Jersey Public Service Electric and Gas Company bill have several options available to them. The utility company offers its own financial assistance programs and they can also refer people to both federal and state of New Jersey assistance programs such as LIHEAP or NJ SHARES. The earlier you call to ask or apply for help the better the chance that PSE&G can provide assistance or a referral to a local resource.
Many customers of PSE&G receive financial assistance and cash grants from the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program - LIHEAP. This resource can help low-income people pay their monthly utility bills, with an adding focus on helping with heating costs during the winter. A focus is on families with children, the seniors, and the disabled.
Call the company or a community action agency to apply for help with paying winter heating or summer cooling bills from LIHEAP. New Jersey Public Service Electric and Gas Company customers may qualify even if their utility expense is included in their monthly rent. There are various income limits that need to be met.
Emergency Assistance is also offered from LIHEAP. This is only offered in a crisis, and money can be paid out in those cases. If approved, a customer will receive up to a $450 credit on their monthly PSE&G bill. In order to receive help, a customer must have a shut off notice and they also need to have a LIHEAP payment posted on their PSE&G heating (gas or electric) account. If power has already been turned off, then there may be a grant available for paying any reconnection fees.
A statewide program was created by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities. The state created the Universal Service Fund (USF). This government assistance program can help make PSE&G energy bills more affordable for low-income customers and those facing poverty. If after applying, if you are found to eligible, the USF program can lower the amount you have to pay for your monthly electric and gas bills. To apply or to get an application, dial 1-800-510-3102.
Another state program is the Temporary Relief for Utility Expenses Grant, or TRUE. The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities has provided substantial funding to the non-profit Affordable Housing Alliance (AHA), which operates this across the state. This one-time TRUE Cash Grant assistance, which is being administered by the AHA, can help low to middle income New Jersey residents and others who are struggling to pay their PSE&G electric and natural gas bills.
The maximum grant offered from TRUE is $750 for gas and $750 for electric service. Funds are limited, and only a small number of New Jersey Public Service Electric and Gas Company customers can be paid. Money is allocated on a first come, first serve basis to the needy, so apply early.
NJ SHARES, or Statewide Heating Assistance and Referral for Energy Services, can also help struggling and low income PSE&G customers. This is an energy bill assistance program that serves as a last resort.
Financial assistance is offered from the statewide, year-round independent energy fund for families and individuals who are living in New Jersey who are facing a hardship and who are in need of temporary help in paying their energy bills. All applicants need to have exhausted all other available sources of private or government assistance and have demonstrated a good faith effort to pay their energy bills in the past, before their hardship.
Cash assistance from SHARES is offered for households that do not qualify for other state of New Jersey or federal government energy programs (such as LIHEAP) and whose income does not exceed at most 400 percent of the Federal Poverty Level. Applications need to be completed with the assistance of a local community-based organization, such as the Salvation Army or a community action agency. The number of locations for PSE&G customers to apply at is extensive, as New Jersey SHARES partners with more than 275 non-profit organizations statewide.
While funding levels can change yearly, the New Jersey SHARES grant provided include maximums of $300 for electric bills as well as $700 for heating bills. Please note that people who are heating with electric can received up to $700 on their electric heat account.
The NJ SHARES program also accepts donations from individuals, customers, and local businesses. All donations are tax deductible. Call 1-866-657-4273 to either apply or donate to the New Jersey SHARES program.
The PSE&G company will also strongly encourage customers to look into energy conservation programs, and the main one in New Jersey is weatherization. This is for low income families that have excessively high heating bills, however there is often a waiting list for it. This is not the only option though, as customers can also call for tips or referrals to other energy saving resources as well.
Receive a credit on your New Jersey Public Service Electric and Gas Company from the NJ Lifeline Credit Program. Up to a $225 yearly credit is possible for your electric or gas bill from the NJ Lifeline program. Some of the qualifications include the customer needs to be a New Jersey resident and they also need to be 65 years of age or older, or they need to 18 years of age or older and receiving Social Security Title II Disability benefits.
Phone number for assistance from PSE&G in New Jersey
The list of resources above is only an example of what may be offered. For more details on financial assistance programs, free payment plans, government grants and more, call 1-866-657-4273.
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