Utility Assistance Programs - Social Services 

 

Local Utility Assistance Programs 

 

County of Essex 

 

Essex County Division of Senior Services 

Emergency Heating and Cooling Program 

https://essexcountynj.org/senior-services/

900 Bloomfield Avenue

Verona, NJ 07044

973-395-8365

A one-time emergency oil delivery and boiler repair/replacement for low-income older adults age 60 and older who live in Essex County. A cooling program is also available which includes distribution/installation of fans and air conditioners. 

 

NJ Utility Assistance Programs 

 

Statewide (New Jersey)

 

Lead-Safe Home Remediation Program

https://nj.gov/dca/dhcr/offices/leadsafe.shtml

Find your local application agency. 

888-712-5077 xt. 6

The purpose of this program is to identify and remediate lead-based paint hazards via interim controls to prevent elevated blood lead levels in children and pregnant women. 

Hours of Operation: 9 am - 5 pm Monday - Friday

 

Lifeline Utility Assistance

https://www.nj.gov/humanservices/doas/services/l-p/lifeline-utility/

800-792-9745

This utility assistance program is designed to help eligible low-income senior citizens and people with disabilities who meet the PAAD (Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled) eligibility requirements or who receive SSI. Lifeline benefits are provided only for electric and natural gas consumers and offers $225 to eligible consumers. 

Hours of Operation: 8:30 am - 6 pm Monday - Friday

 

LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program)

https://www.nj.gov/dca/dhcr/offices/hea.shtml

Find your local application agency. 

800-510-3102

A federally funded program designed to help low-income families and individuals meet home heating and medically necessary cooling costs. Eligible individuals can apply for this program annually from October 1 through August 31 and applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as they are eligible since assistance is provided on a first-come, first-served basis. 

 

New Jersey American Water (NJAW) H20 Help to Others Program 

https://www.amwater.com/njaw/Customer-Service-Billing/Bill-Paying-Assistance/ 

800-272-1325

This Low Income Payment Program (LIPP) is designed to assist New Jersey America Water's most economically challenged customers enroll in an affordable payment plan that allows the customer to pay off the balance of their bill over time.  

 

NJ Comfort Partners 

http://njcleanenergy.com/residential/programs/comfort-partners/comfort-partners

866-378-4345 

NJ Comfort Partners is a free energy saving and energy education program for qualified low-income customers. 

 

NJ SHARES (New Jersey Statewide Heating Assistance and Referral Energy Service)

http://www.njshares.org/

1901 North Olden Avenue Extension, Suite 1A

Ewing, NJ 08618

866-657-4273

Provides assistance to individuals and families in need of help meeting their energy and utility burden through advocacy, community outreach, education, information and referral. We also connect low and moderate income households with available resources to meet their ongoing needs. 

Hours of Operation: 9 am - 5 pm Monday - Friday

 

PAGE (Payment Assistance for Gas & Electric) 

https://njpoweron.org/

59 Broad Street

Eatontown, NJ 07724

732-982-8710

The program is administered through the Affordable Housing Alliance (AHA) and is an annual program intended to provide assistance to low-to-moderate income New Jersey residents who are struggling to pay their electric and natural gas bills. 

Hours of Operation: 9 am - 4 pm Monday - Friday

 

USF (Universal Service Fund)

https://nj.gov/dca/dhcr/offices/usf.shtml

866-240-1347

Find your local application agency. 

Helps make natural gas and electric bills more affordable for low-income customers. Application for this program is open all year long. Eligible households receive a monthly credit benefit towards their gas and electric bills and it is automatically credited monthly to the utility accounts. 

 

USF (Universal Service Fund) Fresh Start 

https://www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/dhcr/offices/docs/USF/Universal%20Service%20Fund,%20edits%20to%20DCA%20website%20for%202022%20and%202023%20seasons.pdf

866-240-1347

If you have a balance of $60 or more on your energy bill as you enter the USF program (only available during your first year of participation in the program) you may be eligible for this program. This program is a partnership between USF and the customer to forgive past due balances and improve payment record. 

 

Verizon's Communications Lifeline 

https://njshares.org/programs/ 

1901 North Olden Avenue Extension, Suite 1A

Ewing, NJ 08618

888-337-3339

Verizon Lifeline is a government assistance program that offers discounts to qualified low-income customers on their home phone or internet broadband service. If you qualify for the Lifeline discount service you are eligible to receive a reduced rate on your monthly Verizon bill. 

Hours of Operation: 8 am - 10 pm 7 days a week.

 

Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)

https://www.nj.gov/dca/dhcr/offices/wap.shtml

Find your local application agency. 

609-984-1497

This program provides free comprehensive energy conservation improvements to reduce residential heat loss and energy consumption. 

 

Winter Termination Program (WTP)

https://www.nj.gov/bpu/home/grants.html

44 South Clinton Avenue 

Trenton, NJ 08625

800-624-0241

This program is in effect from November 15 through March 15 annually, and you must call your utility company to enroll in this protection. This program prevents residential gas and electric customers who participate in Lifeline, LIHEAP, USF, Work First New Jersey/Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (WFNJ/TANF), Federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled (PAAD), and those who are unable to pay their utility bills due to circumstances beyond their control such as unemployment or illness from having their gas or electric service disconnected during the winter months. 

Hours of Operation: 9 am - 4 pm Monday - Friday (excluding holidays)

 

Utility Company Assistance Programs 

 

Atlantic City Electric (ACE)

 

Budget Billing 

https://www.atlanticcityelectric.com/MyAccount/MyBillUsage/Pages/BillingOptions.aspx

800-642-3780

A consistent and predictable monthly payment throughout the year that eliminates monthly or seasonal variation. Budget billing spreads costs evenly month-to-month by charging a pre-arranged amount with each bill. 

 

Extended Due Date 

https://secure.atlanticcityelectric.com/MyAccount/MyBillUsage/PayMyBill/Pages/DueDateExtensionForm.aspx

800-642-3780

This program is for residential customers whose main source of the total household income is from the government or other low-income programs. Qualified residential customers may request to have their due date extended without a late charge. 

 

Helping Hands 

https://helpinghandsnwa.org/rental-utility-assistance-programs/

1901 North Olden Avenue Extension, Suite 1A

Ewing, NJ 08618

866-657-4273

Helping Hands' mission is to assist those who are in a temporary financial crisis and need electric bill payment assistance. The grant amount can be up to $200 and may be combined with other energy assistance grants such as LIHEAP, USF, and NJ SHARES. 

 

Payment Arrangements 

https://secure.atlanticcityelectric.com/MyAccount/MyBillUsage/Pages/PaymentArrangements.aspx

800-642-3780

Offers a variety of individually tailored payment arrangements to help bring your account up-to-date over a mutually agreeable period of time. 

 

Jersey Central Power & Light Company (JCP&L)

 

Critical Customer Care Program 

https://www.firstenergycorp.com/help/billingpayments/assistance_serviceprogram/jersey_central_powerlight.html

800-662-3115

This program identifies customers who use certain electrically operated life sustaining medical equipment in their home. The program helps customers - for whom a service interruption could be immediately life threatening, or would make operation of necessary medical or life supporting equipment impossible or impractical - prepare for planned and unplanned power outages. 

 

Equal Payment Plan (EPP) 

https://www.firstenergycorp.com/help/billingpayments/ways-to-pay/equal_payment_planepp.html

800-662-3115

This program allows you to make uniform bill payments to help you avoid seasonal fluctuation of payment amounts. You are billed one-twelfth of your annual estimated usage each month. 

 

Extended Due Date

https://www.firstenergycorp.com/help/billingpayments/assistance_serviceprogram/jersey_central_powerlight.html

800-662-3115

If you are at least 60 years old and receive a Social Security or Pension Check, or if you receive disability assistance, and your electric bill is usually due before you receive your monthly benefit check, we can extend your payment due date until after your check arrives. 

 

Extended Payment Plan 

https://www.firstenergycorp.com/help/billingpayments/assistance_serviceprogram/jersey_central_powerlight.html

800-662-3115

If conditions make it difficult to pay your electric bill on time, we can arrange an extended payment plan. This maintains service while you make payments more suited to your financial situation. 

 

Military Deferred Payment Program 

https://www.firstenergycorp.com/help/billingpayments/assistance_serviceprogram/jersey_central_powerlight.html

800-686-3421

This program is designed to assist customers who are having financial difficulties because their family members have been called to active military duty. Customers participating in the program may elect to defer paying either all of part of their monthly electric bill. When the family member in the military service returns home, the account will be reviewed to determine the payment arrangements for the balance owed. 

 

New Jersey Natural Gas 

 

Gift of Warmth 

https://njpoweron.org/other-programs/other-programs-gift-of-warmth/

800-221-0051

Provides a one-time grant up to $500 to help income eligible households, as well as those experiencing temporary or unanticipated financial hardship, reconnect or continue their natural gas service. 

 

Orange & Rockland 

 

Budget Billing

https://www.oru.com/en/accounts-billing/payment-assistance

877-434-4100

Spread your payments evenly across the year with the average-use billing plan that allows you to budget easily and avoid seasonal spikes in energy costs. 

Hours of Operation: 8 am – 7 pm Monday – Friday (except holidays)

 

Get Well First 

https://www.oru.com/en/accounts-billing/payment-assistance/billing-payment-plans/get-well-first

877-434-4100

Allows eligible customers to extend the due date on your utility bill payment during a hospitalization (must be hospitalized for a minimum of 10 days). 

Hours of Operation: 8 am – 7 pm Monday – Friday (except holidays)

 

 

Go back to the Social Services web guide main page.

 

Go back to list of all Newark Public Library Web guides.

 

 

page visitors since 10/29/18.