Home Energy Assistance (HEA) /Universal Service Fund (USF) and American Rescue Plan (ARP) Application
IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE COMPLETING THIS APPLICATION, CALL 1-800-510-3102
or visit www.energyassistance.nj.gov for your local participating agency.
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is designed to help low-income families and individuals meet home heating and medically necessary cooling costs. To be eligible, a household must have a gross income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level and be responsible for the cost of heating.
Please refer to the program web page above to verify income guidelines.
Universal Service Fund
USF is a program created by the State of New Jersey to help make natural gas and electric bills more affordable for low-income households. If you are eligible, USF can lower the amount you pay for gas and electricity. To be eligible, a household must have a gross income at or below 175% of the Federal Poverty
Level and pay more than 3% of its annual income for electric, or more than 3% for natural gas. If a household has electric heat, it must spend more than 6% of its annual income on electricity to be eligible.
Please refer to the program web page above to verify income guidelines.
American Rescue Plan
The New Jersey American Rescue Plan (ARP) arrearage forgiveness program is funded by the federal Department of Health and Human Services'
Low income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) through the American Rescue Plan. An ARP arrearage grant will assist citizens who have fallen behind
on their utility (gas and electric) payments.
Please refer to the program web page above to verify income guidelines.
LIHEAP and USF Recertification
If you received USF or HEA benefits during the previous season and did not move, you will receive a Recertification form in the mail instead of a full application.
Contact your local participating agency for the recertification form if you do not receive one. If you now have a new address you must submit a complete application with all the required documentation.
SNAP (Food Stamp) and PAAD Automatic Enrollments
Food Stamp recipients and Lifeline/PAAD recipients are automatically screened for USF and HEA and only need to fill out a full USF/HEA application if it is requested by the county USF/HEA agency or more information is needed.
NJ FamilyCare
Beginning January 2014 NJ FamilyCare will include CHIP, Medicaid and Medicaid Expansion population. This means documented New jersey residents who are low income may be eligible for free or low cost health insurance that covers doctor visits, prescription, vision, dental care, and even hospitalization. For more information, call 1-800-701-0710.
Right to a hearing
You will have a right to an Administrative Fair Hearing if your LIHEAP application is denied or not processed within the time limit established by the program.