PSE&G Reminds Eligible Customers to Apply for Heating Assistance
Help is available to pay winter heating bills
NEWARK, N.J., Jan. 31, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- PSE&G is reminding customers there is help to pay their winter heating bills. Those who recently lost their jobs, or are now working fewer hours because of the economic downturn, may now qualify for assistance programs.
The federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) has allocated $175 million to New Jersey to help low income households pay their winter heating bills. Individuals and families may now apply; applications will be accepted until April 30, 2011. Those who received LIHEAP benefits last year are urged to complete the recertification application to ensure they receive benefits this year as well.
During this period of major economic uncertainty, we expect that many more households will be able to participate in the program for the first time.
"We know there are many families who are not aware of the LIHEAP program," said Joseph A. Forline, PSE&G's vice president for customer operations. "LIHEAP benefits are based on last month's income, so people who were not qualified before might now be able to take advantage of these essential benefits. We are partnering with state government and community based organizations in an extensive effort to ensure that much needed assistance reaches every eligible person."
New Jersey's LIHEAP program ranks sixth in the nation in terms of dollars available to help at-risk utility customers. LIHEAP income eligibility levels are at 200 percent of the federal poverty level. That means a family of four with a monthly income at or below $3,675 may be eligible.
The chart below provides income eligibility information.
LIHEAP INCOME GUIDELINES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2011 |
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Monthly Gross Household Size Income 1 $1,805 2 $2,429 3 $3,052 4 $3,675 5 $4,299 6 $4,922 |
Monthly Gross Household Size Income 7 $5,545 8 $6,169 9 $6,792 10 $7,415 11 $7,532 12 $7,686 |
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To determine eligibility for household sizes greater than 12, add $154 for each additional member. |
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PSE&G customers can pick up an application at one of PSE&G's 16 customer service centers. Locations and hours are listed on customer bills. In addition, representatives from state designated LIHEAP agencies are available at the following centers to help income-eligible people complete the applications.
Bergen County |
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Bergen County CAP at PSE&G Hackensack Customer Service Center |
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214 Hudson Street, Hackensack, NJ 07601 |
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Monday -Thursday, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. |
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Essex County |
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La Casa de Don Pedro at PSE&G Newark Customer Service Center |
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80 Park Plaza, Newark, NJ 07102 |
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Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. |
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La Casa de Don Pedro at PSE&G West Orange Customer Service Center |
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59 Main Street, West Orange, NJ 07052 |
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Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. |
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Hudson County |
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P.A.C.O. at PSE&G Jersey City Customer Service Center |
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3 PATH Plaza, Jersey City, NJ 07306 |
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Monday–Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. |
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Middlesex County |
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Puerto Rican Action Board at PSE&G New Brunswick Customer Service Center |
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1 Penn Plaza, Albany & French Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 |
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Fridays, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. |
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PSE&G households may also be eligible for other valuable assistance programs. Applications and information about these programs are available on PSE&G's bilingual Web site www.pseg.com/help or www.pseg.com/ayuda. Information can also be found by calling the LIHEAP Hot Line at 1-800-510-3102 Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
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).
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SOURCE Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G)
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