The application season for the fall 2024/winter 2025 heating season Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) season is now open, allowing New Jersey residents to apply for the LIHEAP and other utility assistance programs, which are available to help with utility bills.
LIHEAP is one of several programs DCA provides to help New Jersey households in need with basic resources such as housing and heating to promote long-term physical well-being.
These programs include LIHEAP, which is a federal program that helps households at or below 60% of the state median income ($7,676 a month for a family of four) pay for energy costs (electric, gas, deliverable fuels, and those included in rent), and the Universal Service Fund (USF) program, which provides a monthly credit on electric and gas bills for households at or below 60% of the state median income ($92,108 a year for a family of four).
To qualify for USF, the household must pay more than 2% of its annual income for electric or for natural gas. If a household has electric heat, it must spend more than 4% of its annual income on electricity to be eligible.
Households may visit the DCAid portal at www.nj.gov/dca/dcaid to apply for LIHEAP or other assistance programs. The DCAid portal has a tool that allows residents to review other benefits for which they may qualify. Residents who do not have access to computers or the internet may call 1-800-510-3102 to be directed to one of the community action agencies partnering with DCA to assist them with starting, completing, and applying online. A list of the community organizations providing such assistance is available on the DCA website at: https://www.nj.gov/dca/dhcr/
LIHEAP applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and assistance is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applicants should not wait to apply.
See the chart below for the income eligibility limits.
Any additional member after 12: Add $231 to the monthly income for both LIHEAP and USF.