HEAP/USF Application Season is Open

The Home Energy Program (HEAP) and Universal Service Fund (USF) help families meet electric, gas, and medically necessary cooling costs. The application season for these programs is now open.

What: HEAP provides a one-time annual benefit to assist with heating costs. The benefit is based on your family size, heating type, and household income. USF provides a monthly credit on gas and electric bills.

Who Qualifies: New Jersey residents with monthly gross income below 60% of the State Median Income (SMI). See the chart below for current income limits.

When: HEAP applications will be accepted from October 1 through June 30. USF applications will be accepted through mid-August.

How:

1. Apply or recertify online here - energyassistance.nj.gov

While in the past the LRRC has coordinated application submission, this year we are recommending that all applications be submitted through the state's online portal. Our staff will be unable to track or follow up on individual application statuses. Please Note: If you are currently receiving SNAP benefits, before applying, call the State Utilities Assistance Hotline and ask if your benefits were already approved through SNAP. Their number is 1-800-510-3102.

2. Gather all required documents listed in the next section. Upload them to the required documents section. Any document that does not fall under a specific category should be uploaded under “other documents.”

3. Once all questions have been answered and all documents have been uploaded, submit the application.

4. If your complete application is not approved or denied within 60 days, reach out to the LRRC for guidance.

Required Documents:

• Address Verification

  • Homeowners – most recent mortgage statement, tax bill, or deed.
  • Renters - a current and signed lease. If unavailable, ask your landlord to complete the Tenant Lease Verification Form, which is available at the LRRC.
  • Section 8 recipients - Section 8 lease agreement

• Natural Gas Utility Bill – most recent bill

• Electric Utility Bill – most recent bill

• Citizenship Verification

  • Social Security cards for all family members. The name on your utility bill must match the name on the applicant’s social security card.
  • For an infant under one year of age, provide a birth certificate.
  • For a non-citizen, provide a copy of a Green Card or Visa.

• Proof of Earned Income

  • Provide your most recent paystubs covering 30 days. Paystubs must be consecutive.
  • If your paystubs don’t follow a specific payment pattern, provide an employer letter on company letterhead detailing the terms of your employment, including salary.
  • If you are self-employed, provide a copy of last year’s federal and state tax returns with all schedules.

• Proof of Other Income – Send in all that apply.

  • Current proof of pension income covering last 30 days.
  • Current award letter for Social Security, SSI or SSDI benefits. SSI of a child will not count towards eligibility.
  • Current award letter if you are currently receiving Unemployment, Temporary Disability, or Family Leave benefits.
  • Child Support – provide a recent bank statement and a letter from the person paying the child support.
  • If you have rental income, provide a signed lease that details the heating arrangements. Send in the most recent tax return. This is required even if the rental income started in the current year and does not appear on last year’s tax return.
  • Parental Support - provide a signed and dated letter from your parent stating how much they give you each month. Include your parents’ address and phone number. Vendor payments made to a third party on your behalf (such as rent, tuition, or credit card payments), are considered income. If you receive vendor payments, provide a letter from the person making the payment with their name, address, and phone number.
  • Most recent bank statements from all interest-bearing accounts (checking, savings, stocks, mutual funds and CDs).
  • An applicant or spouse who has no work income must fill out a Zero Income Statement, which is available at the LRRC. Applicants that are students without work income must also fill out this form even if they receive scholarship.
  • A student aged 18 or older must provide a letter from the school stating whether the student receives a scholarship. The letter must be on the school letterhead with the school telephone number.
  • If your income does not cover your rent or mortgage, fill out a Household Monthly Expenses form. If you are receiving SNAP and filling out this form, include a SNAP eligibility letter.

Further Information:

• For information about other utility assistance programs, see our Utility Assistance Programs Brochure

• Make sure to save your HEAP and USF approval letters. You may need them to apply for additional utility assistance programs.

• If you have any questions, you can schedule a call with a LRRC caseworker through our automated scheduling system at 732-523-1789, or e-mail utilities@lrrcenter.org.