The state of New Jersey offers multiple payment assistance programs for customers struggling to pay their energy bill. Descriptions of the programs, application periods and eligibility guidelines are available below.You can also download a flyer in English and Spanish to learn more about the programshere.
To apply for these programs, the following documents are required:
- Identification for PSE&G account holder
- Copy of lease or mortgage
- Most current PSE&G bill (all pages)
- Proof of one month of household income (within the past 30 days)
- Social security cards for every household member
- Other documents may be required to determine eligibility
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Applications now available until June 30, 2024.
- LIHEAP helps customers pay for winter heating bills and medically-necessary cooling costs. Homeowners and renters are eligible, and you don’t have to be behind on your bill to apply. Income-eligible customers can receive an average of $400 toward their PSE&G heating bill and $500 toward medically-necessary cooling costs.
LIHEAP Emergency Assistance
LIHEAP emergency assistance funds are available from March 15 to June 30, 2024. Income-eligible customers can receive up to a $1,500 credit applied directly to their bill. To apply, customers must receive LIHEAP heating assistance and have a shut-off notice.
LIHEAP and USF use the same application. If you apply for LIHEAP, you are also applying for USF.
Universal Service Fund (USF)
Applications accepted year-round.
- USF helps make energy bills more affordable. Income-eligible customers can receive a $5 to $180 monthly USF credit toward their bill. The USF Fresh Start Program (FSP) also offers forgiveness of past-due balances of over $60.
Starting October 1, 2024, USF customers will only be able to participate in Fresh Start once in a five-year period. PSE&G will screen USF enrollees upon entry into the program to determine if they have received Fresh Start during the prior five years. If the customer:
- Has not received Fresh Start during the prior five years; and
- Has an overdue balance of $60 or more, PSE&G will automatically enroll the customer into the Fresh Start program.
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LIHEAP/USF Income Limits
Household Size Maximum Gross Monthly Income 1 $3,676 2 $4,807 3 $5,938 4 $7,069 5 $8,200 6 $9,331 7 $9,543 8 $9,755 9 $9,968 10 $10,180
11 $10,392
12 $10,604 Amount for each additional member
for households greater than 12$213 *Gross income is income before taxes.
How you can apply:
- Apply online here.
- Apply in-person:
- Downloadan application and submit it to the social-serviceintake agencyin your county via mail, fax or email with all the required documents.To find local social-service agencies that can process your application, you can also call 1-800-510-3102.
- Pick up an application at one of the PSE&G’s Customer Service Centers and submit it to the social-service intake agency in your county via mail, fax or email with all the required documents.
For more information, visitNJ Department of Community Affairs Energy Assistance, or call 1-800-510-3102, 7 days a week, 9 a.m.- 9 p.m.
NJ SHARES (NJS) Energy Assistance Grants
Applications accepted year-round.
- Income-eligible customers with an outstanding balance on their energy bill, can receive assistance from NJS of up to $3,800 through the following three grants:
- NJ Board of Utilities Payment Assistance Gas and Electric (NJBPU PAGE)
- NJS Utility SMART Assistance
- NJS Energy Assistance
- To apply for NJ BPU PAGE and NJS SMART, you must first apply and be approved for LIHEAP/USF. If you have not applied or have been denied from LIHEAP/USF, you may be eligible for NJS Energy Assistance.
- A "good faith" payment of up to $100 may be required within 90 days prior to applying.
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NJ SHARES Income Limits
Household Size Payment Assistance Gas and Electric (PAGE) Program
NJ SHARES SMART Utility Assistance Program
NJ SHARES Energy Assistance Grants 1 $6,127 $5,020 2 $8,012 $6,813 3 $9,897 $8,607 4 $11,782 $10,400 5 $13,667 $12,193 6 $15,552 $13,987 7 $15,906 $15,780 8 $16,259 $17,573 9 $16,613 $19,367 10 $16,966 $21,160 11 $17,320 $22,953 12 $17,673 $24,747
How you can apply:
- Apply Online
- Apply in-person: Download an application in English or Spanishand submit it at one of NJ SHARES’ 200 application sites. Call 1-866-NJSHARES (657-4273) to find the closest application site or visit njshares.org/agencies/.
For more information, visit NJ SHARES or call 1-866-NJSHARES (1-866-657-4273)or text help to 64405.
New Jersey Lifeline for Seniors and Disabled Adults
Applications accepted year-round.
- NJ Lifeline is a $225 yearly electric or gas bill credit for seniors or disabled adults. To qualify, you must be a New Jersey resident, 65 years of age or older, or 18 years of age or older and receiving Social Security Title II Disability benefits.
- Income limits (not the household income) for 2024 are less than $52,142 for a single person and less than $59,209 if married.
How you can apply:
For more information, visit NJ Lifeline or call the New Jersey Department of Human Services Division of Aging at 1-800-792-9745.
