The following is a list of energy assistance programs available in New Jersey. All programs have specific criteria to meet in order to qualify, for further details or to find out how to apply, please contact the Middlesex County Office of Aging and Disabled Services at 732-745-3295.

LIHEAP is a federally funded program designed to help low-income families and individuals meet home heating and medically necessary cooling costs. Assistance is provided on a first-come, first-served basis. If you are eligible to receive assistance for cooling costs you should apply for this benefit at the same time that you apply for help with heating costs. To be eligible for LIHEAP benefits, the applicant household must be responsible for home heating or cooling costs, with payments made either directly to the utility company or included in the rent, and have a gross income that falls at or below 60% of the NJ state median income level. For more information call 1-800-510-3102.

Universal Service Fund (USF)

The Universal Service Fund (USF) was created by the NJ Board of Public Utilities to help make natural gas and electric bills more affordable for low-income customers. Applications for this program are accepted throughout the year. 

The LIHEAP application is also an application for the USF. You may apply for two benefit programs at the same time and there are eligibility guidelines. Households eligible for USF will receive a monthly credit benefit toward their gas and electric bills. USF benefits are only available to customers of the seven regulated electric (energy) companies in New Jersey: New Jersey Natural Gas Company; Elizabethtown Gas Company; South Jersey Gas Company; Public Service Electric & Gas Company; Rockland Electric Company; Jersey Central Power & Light, and Atlantic City Electric Company. For more information call 1-800-510-3102.

USF Fresh Start

Fresh Start is a partnership between the customer and USF to forgive past-due balances and improve your payment record. If you have a balance of $60 or more on your energy bill as a USF customer, you may be eligible for additional benefits under the New Jersey Fresh Start Program. Participants must pay the current USF-supplemented bill on time and in full every month and after 12 months of full on-time payments, the pre-USF program overdue balance will be erased. If you are eligible for Fresh Start when you enroll in USF, you will be automatically enrolled by your energy company and will be sent additional information about how the Fresh Start program works. For more information, call your electric or gas company.

Payment Assistance for Gas and Electric (PAGE) Program

This annual program is intended to provide assistance to low-to-moderate income New Jersey residents who are struggling to pay their electric and natural gas bills. For eligibility guidelines and additional information contact 2-1-1.

Weatherization Assistance Program

The Weatherization Assistance Program provides free comprehensive energy conservation improvements to reduce residential heat loss and energy consumption. The LIHEAP application is also an application for the Weatherization Assistance Program and the Universal Service Fund (USF). You can apply for three energy benefit programs at the same time. Applicants for the Weatherization Assistance Program must have a gross annual income at or below 200% of federal poverty guidelines.

New Jersey Statewide Heating Assistance and Referral Energy Service, Inc. (NJSHARES)

NJSHARES is a non-profit organization which administers an energy-assistance program that assists households who do not qualify for federal or state energy programs and whose income does not exceed 400% of the federal poverty level. Eligibility is determined by income and household size. The maximum grant awarded by New Jersey SHARES is $700 for natural gas heating. Clients heating with electric may receive up to $700 on their electric heat account. Grants are distributed year-round based on funding availability. To identify an intake agency in your area, call the toll-free energy assistance hotline at 1-866-NJSHARES.

New Jersey American Water (NJAW)

NJ SHARES administers the New Jersey American Water (NJAW) H2O Help to Others Program™ to help with water bills.   Customers who qualify may receive a grant of up to $500 and/or a discount of as much as 20% of their bill. Their Low-Income Payment Program (LIPP) is designed to assist New Jersey American Water’s most economically challenged customers. This aid can be equivalent to as much as 20% of a customer’s monthly bill, depending on eligibility. Applications are taken through the NJ SHARES agency network or online. For more information, call 800-272-1325.

Lifeline Program

The Lifeline Program is a utility assistance program designed to help eligible low-income individuals who are 65 or older or receiving Social Security Disability or Supplemental Security Income and who have an annual income of less than $38,769 if single or less than $45,270 if married. This includes utility customers as well as tenants whose utility bills are included in their rent. Lifeline benefits are provided only for electric and natural gas consumers. For more information about Lifeline call 800-792-9745.

Winter Termination Program

Winter Termination Program protects specific categories of customers from having their gas or electric shut off between November 15 and March 15 of each year. Those enrolled in certain other programs (including Supplemental Security Income, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, USF, and Lifeline) are protected by the Winter Termination Program. An additional “catch-all” category is also included for those who are unable to pay their utility bills because of circumstances beyond their control, such as unemployment or illness. For more information about the Winter Termination Program, call 800-624-0241.

Comfort Partners Program provides installation of free energy efficiency measures, personalized customer energy education, and counseling for income eligible households. The Comfort Partners Program is available to any New Jersey home with significant energy use, with a household income at or below 250% of the federal poverty guidelines. For more information call 1-800-915-8309.