(December 30, 2008 – Newark, NJ) - PSE&G is urging residents who may have recently lost their jobs, or are now working fewer hours because of the economic downturn, to see if they now qualify for assistance in paying their utility bills.

The federal Low Income Heating Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is being funded at dramatically increased levels over last year, and money is available to help thousands of people pay their heating bills this winter. During this period of major economic uncertainty and with a $77 million increase in funding available, existing LIHEAP households will receive a larger benefit and many more households will be able to participate in the program for the first time.

“Since eligibility for LIHEAP benefits is based on last month’s income, people who may not have qualified before might now be able to take advantage of these critical benefits,” said Eileen Leahey, manager of PSE&G’s payment assistance outreach.  “We are partnering with state government and community based organizations in an extensive effort to ensure that much needed assistance reaches every person eligible to receive it.”

New Jersey’s LIHEAP program budget is $185.7 million, ranking it seventh nationwide in terms of dollars available to help at-risk utility customers.  The average benefit for gas will increase to $387.  The average electric benefit will increase to $358.  Families whose heating bill is included in their rent will receive an average increase to $341. The medically necessary cooling benefit will increase to $200 from $100.

PSE&G, the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA), and the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities are partnering in an aggressive outreach program to spread the word.  Materials have been developed and distributed statewide and at payment assistance outreach days that will be held in urban neighborhoods.  DCA has also implemented a recertification process that makes it much easier for people to qualify for the program.

“Residents can pick up an application at one of PSE&G’s 16 customer service centers,” Leahey said. “In addition, representatives from community-based organizations are available at the following centers to help people complete the applications.”  

Bergen County
Bergen County CAP at PSE&G Hackensack Customer Service Center
214 Hudson Street, Hackensack, NJ 07601
Monday -Thursday, 9:00 am– 1:00-3:00 pm 

Essex County
La Casa de Don Pedro at PSE&G Newark Customer Service Center
80 Park Plaza, Newark, NJ 07102
Monday-Friday, 9:00 am–4:00 pm 

La Casa de Don Pedro at PSE&G West Orange Customer Service Center
59 Main Street, West Orange, NJ 07052
Wednesday, Thursday & Friday 9am–4:00 pm  

Hudson County
P.A.C.O. at PSE&G Jersey City Customer Service Center
3 PATH Plaza, Jersey City, NJ 07306
Monday–Thursday 9am–4 pm

Middlesex County
Puerto Rican Action Board at PSE&G New Brunswick Customer Service Center
1 Penn Plaza, Albany & French Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Fridays, 9:00am - 4:30 pm

The utility is notifying the public about new payment assistance options and broadened eligibility guidelines through customer bill inserts, messaging and assistance in our customer service centers, information sent to school districts and faith-based organizations, staff training at social service agencies throughout the state, advertisements on NJ Transit buses in major cities and via bi-lingual press releases and brochures.

LIHEAP is designed to help low-income families and individuals meet home heating and medically necessary cooling costs.  The program comes to New Jersey as a Federal Block Grant.  National funding this year is $5.1 billion, an unprecedented increase over the $2.57 billion provided last season.  The NJ DCA administers LIHEAP and, through the efforts of Commissioner Doria, this year’s enrollment period has been extended.  Individuals and families may apply from November 3 through April 30.  Applications must be submitted to designated community action agencies or community based organizations.  Applications are available at PSE&G’s 16 customer service centers, and representatives from community based organizations will be available at many of these centers to help people complete applications.

To be eligible for LIHEAP benefits, an applicant must be responsible for home heating, either directly or if the cost is included in rent, and have gross income below 225 percent of the federal poverty level.  This would equate to a family of four with monthly income of $3,975 or annual income of $47,700.  In addition to income, the amount of the benefit is determined by household size, fuel type, and heating region.

New Jersey residents may also be eligible for other programs that can provide a helping hand during this period of economic uncertainty.  The Universal Service Fund (USF) is available to low income customers, and the NJ Lifeline Credit Program, available to eligible disabled adults and low income elderly, provides a $225 yearly credit toward a customer’s electric or gas bill.

The chart below provides maximum monthly income guideline levels for LIHEAP:

Applications and information about these vital assistance programs are available on PSE&G’s Web site at www.pseg.com/billpaymentassistance.  Applications are available at PSE&G customer service centers.  Locations and hours are listed on customer bills.  Information can also be found by calling the Department of Community Affairs at 1-800-510-3102, or online at  http://www.state.nj.us/dca/dcr/hea/index.shtml.

Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G) is New Jersey’s oldest and largest regulated gas and electric delivery utility, serving nearly three-quarters of the state’s population. PSE&G is the winner of the ReliabilityOne Award for superior electric system reliability. PSE&G is a subsidiary of Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated (PSEG) (NYSE:PEG), a diversified energy company (www.pseg.com).