Home Energy Assistance Emergency Fund (HEA)

Home Energy Assistance Emergency Fund (HEA) is sponsored by New Jersey Board of Public Utilities. This opportunity supports mission-aligned projects and measurable outcomes.

Home Energy Assistance Hotline | NJ 2-1-1 Partnership View available cooling centers throughout the state. Close NJ Cooling Centers Notifcation Since 2011, NJ 211 has operated the Home Energy Assistance (HEA) Hotline in partnership with the NJ Department of Community Affairs. The Hotline specializes in providing support and guidance related to NJ’s Energy Assistance program application.

Contact the Home Energy Assistance Hotline to: Learn more about the HEA programs and if you qualify Ask questions about the application process Check the benefit status if you’ve already applied Find other programs and supportive services to help with utility needs To speak with a hotline specialist, dial 2-1-1 or 800-510-3102. The HEA Hotline is available Monday through Friday 8am to 8pm .

NJ BPU PAGE Program Application – English NJ BPU PAGE Program Aplicación – Español 2026 USFHEA Factsheet - English 2026 USFHEA Factsheet - Spanish Utility Assistance in NJ 2025-2026.

pdf Household Monthly Expenses Form FY 2026 Physician's Certification for Cooling Benefit FY 2026 Tenant Lease Verification Form FY2026 Zero Income Statement FY 2026 Winter Termination 2024 - EN/ES Other Utility Assistance Programs that May Help Water Bill Assistance Programs Phone Assistance Programs What do the Home Energy Assistance programs help with?

LIHEAP is a federally funded program designed to help low-income families and individuals meet home heating costs and medically necessary cooling costs . The amount of the LIHEAP heating benefit is determined by income, household size, fuel type, and heating region. The medically necessary cooling assistance benefit is a lump sum applied as a direct credit to an active electric account or issued as a single party check to the client.

An eligible household that heats with natural gas or electricity may have its benefits forwarded directly to its utility company. Eligible households heating with oil, propane, or kerosene get a two-party check in the client's name and the fuel supplier. Households whose heating costs are included in their non-subsidized rent receive a single party check made out to the eligible client.

A household receiving medically necessary cooling benefits receives a single party check. To learn more about LIHEAP, visit the DCA’s page here . The USF was created by the NJ Board of Public Utilities to help make natural gas and electric bills more affordable for low-income customers.

Households eligible for USF will receive a monthly credit benefit towards their gas and electric bills. USF benefits are only available to customers of the seven regulated electric (energy) companies in New Jersey which are: New Jersey Natural Gas Company; Elizabethtown Gas Company; South Jersey Gas Company; Public Service Electric & Gas Company; Rockland Electric Company; Jersey Central Power & Light and Atlantic City Electric Company.

First-time USF recipients with a past due balance of $60 or more may be automatically enrolled into the USF Fresh Start Program to earn forgiveness on past due balances. To learn more about USF and Fresh Start, visit the DCA’s page here . The Weatherization Program provides free comprehensive energy conservation improvements to reduce residential heat loss and energy consumption.

To quickly identify DCA benefits you may qualify for, visit this self-screening tool: dcaid. dca. nj.

gov/en-US/are-you-eligible/ To be eligible for LIHEAP benefits: The applicant must be responsible for home heating or cooling costs, with payments made directly to the utility company or included in the rental agreement. Those who live in public housing and/or receive rental assistance must pay their heating/cooling costs directly to the fuel supplier. Household gross income is at or below 60% of the NJ State Median Income level.

See table below for specific gross income maximums for FFY 2026. To be eligible for USF benefits: Household gross income is at or below 60% of the NJ State Median Income level. See table below for specific gross income maximums for FFY 2026.

Households must pay a minimum percentage of annual income toward utility costs. Natural Gas: pay more than 2% of its annual income for natural gas Electric: Pay more than 4% if a household has electric heat OR more than 2% for electric if heat is from another source. However, if a customer does not spend the required percentage of income on energy, they will default to the minimum $5 monthly benefit.

Must be a customer of one of the seven regulated electric (energy) companies in NJ: New Jersey Natural Gas Company; Elizabethtown Gas Company; South Jersey Gas Company; Public Service Electric & Gas Company; Rockland Electric Company; Jersey Central Power & Light and Atlantic City Electric Company. To be eligible for Weatherization: Household gross income is at or below 60% of the NJ State Median Income Level.

See table below for specific gross income maximums for FFY 2026. If ineligible, seniors and those with disabilities may qualify for Comfort Partners. To learn more, click here .

Household Size Monthly Income Annual Income 1 $4,167 $50,005 2 $5,449 $65,392 3 $6,732 $80,778 4 $8,014 $96,165 5 $9,296 $111,551 6 $10,578 $126,937 7 $10,819 $129,822 8 $11,059 $132,707 9 $11,299 $135,592 10 $11,540 $138,477 11 $11,780 $141,362 12 $12,021 $144,247 For each additional person add $241 add $2,885 The application period for 2026 opens from October 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026.

LIHEAP Assistance is provided on a first-come, first-served basis, so applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as they are eligible. If seeking assistance with medically necessary cooling costs, apply for this benefit at the same time as you apply for help with heating costs. How do I apply - New Applicant?

Complete one simple application to apply for all three HEA programs - LIHEAP, USF, and Weatherization. Submit an application, register on the DCA online portal or find a local application agency in your area. Please ensure that all required documentation is uploaded at the time of submitting the application to avoid delays in the processing of your application.

Proof of Identification (Social Security cards for all household members and birth certificates for those under 12 months of age; custody papers for minors not living with parents; documentation for all foster children in the household) Proof of income for every household member who is 18 years of age or older Proof of U.S. Citizenship or Legal Residency Status (provide one of the following: social security card; copy of Medicaid/Medicare card; documentation from the U.S. Department of Citizenship and Immigration Services; or USCIS Temporary Work Permit) Copy of your most recent utility bill Copy of your tax bill, mortgage, or rental lease (if you are in public housing, bring your Housing Authority proof of residence letter or lease agreement) How do I apply - Recertification Applicant?

HEA recipients must be recertified annually. Recertification instructions are sent out at the start of the application season with the latest guidance, typically late September or early October. FFY 2026 Recertification: You may recertify from the DCA online portal or contact the local application agency listed on your mailer.

If you moved since last year , follow the instructions for a New Applicant. Changes in household size may result in changes in eligibility and the benefit amount received from the HEA/USF program.

USF benefit amount may change during your enrollment in the program Documents Required (copies of the following): Please ensure that all required documentation is uploaded at the time of submitting the application to avoid delays in the processing of your application.

Current income information for all household members 18 years of age or older, A recent heating bill from your primary home heating supplier, A recent bill from your electric utility and natural gas utility (all pages), and Current lease or Tenant Verification Form. Visit this link to access the DCA online portal .

New users must select ‘Register Now’, then follow the prompts to: Request access to DCAid Service Portal Link DCAid Service Portal to your myNJ account Returning users must select ‘Login’, then follow the prompts to either link DCAid Service Portal to your myNJ account OR login to myNJ account directly. What is the status of my HEA application? Applications are processed approximately 60 days after submission.

Incomplete applications will significantly delay processing time. If you have questions or cannot see your status, please contact the HEA Hotline to speak with a hotline specialist, dial 2-1-1 or 800-510-3102. The HEA Hotline is available Monday through Friday 8am to 8pm.

I got a shut off notice, what can I do? If you are able, contact your Utility Company to arrange a payment plan and make good faith payments. If you are not yet receiving LIHEAP/USF Assistance, review eligibility and application information listed in sections above.

If you are already receiving LIHEAP/USF Assistance and have a utility shut‑off notice, you may qualify for an emergency payment after March 15th. Those who applied online, must log back into the DCA online portal to submit a request for emergency assistance and upload your shut‑off notice. Those who applied at a local application agency , you may hand in your shut off notice at the agency.

SNAP/PAAD Streamline applicants and those who applied at a local agency can speak with a 211 specialist to confirm whether a shut-off notice already appears in your account. Call the HEA Hotline Monday through Friday 8am to 8pm by dialing 2-1-1 or 800-510-3102. Also, use the 211 directory to search for local community-based programs that assist with ‘Electric Service Payment Assistance’, ‘Gas Service Payment Assistance’, and more.

Add your zip-code at the top of the Home page before you search. I moved, what do I need to do? The USF benefits are stopped until you contact your new utility company and inform them that you were receiving USF at your former residence.

It is then the responsibility of the new utility company to associate your USF benefits with the new account. Once this has been done, your USF benefit level will be reevaluated. The level of benefits you receive may change because it is in part based upon the history of utility use in your new location.

You will NOT be able to complete a streamlined annual recertification; a new application is required. Text this page to someone: