The new heating season for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) begins on October 1, 2024, and applications are open until June 30, 2025. This application also screens customers for the Universal Service Fund (USF) program which is open year-round.
Please see the attached flyer with updates to the program descriptions and income guidelines (“Program Assistance Income Guidelines”). Income levels for NJ Lifeline are updated in January, and flyers will be revised and shared at that time. We are waiting for the state to confirm the list of intake agencies where customers can apply in person, and will share when we have the final.
What’s new this year?
- LIHEAP and USF will continue to have the same income eligibility. For example, a family of four with a monthly income of $7,676 may be eligible for both LIHEAP/USF.
- Income-eligibility is based on the household’s prior month’s (30 days) income.
- USF does not require a social security number, but LIHEAP requires at least one member of the household to have a valid social security number.
- The same application is used for both LIHEAP and USF.
Fresh Start Program (part of USF) eligibility
- The Fresh Start Program (part of USF) offers forgiveness of past-due balances of over $60. Customers who apply for USF will automatically be screened for FSP and don’t need to apply for FSP. Starting October 2024, customers will only be eligible for FSP every 5 years.
- If you have any questions about FSP, please email PAO back-office team: USFBILLING@pseg.com.
How can customers apply?
- Customers can apply online for both programs through one application by visiting pseg.com/EnergyAssistance which redirects to New Jersey’s Department of Community Affairs (DCA) online portal, or by printing an application at pseg.com/LiheapApp and submitting it to a local social service intake agency.
- Customers who need help applying for bill payment assistance or have questions can call the state hotline at 1-800-510-3102 or 211.
Where can customers pick up paper applications or apply in-person?
- If a customer is homebound and needs an application mailed to their home, please email MailAssistanceApplication@pseg.com and include the name(s) of the specific program application requested.
- Seniors over 60 who need help completing their LIHEAP/USF application can be referred to the LIHEAP/USF agency in their county to make arrangements for a home visit by the local agency.
What if a customer is not eligible for LIHEAP or USF?
- If a customer is not eligible for LIHEAP/USF, or have exhausted their payment assistance benefits, please advise them to follow the DPA guidelines to help pay their bill.
- NJ SHARES and PAGE programs are closed until January 2025.
As a reminder, if customers have questions about these programs, please refer them to call the state hotline at 1-800-510-3102 or 211. All program information is available at pseg.com/help or pseg.com/ayuda (Spanish).