HEAP/USF Application Season is Open

The Home Energy Program (HEAP) and Universal Service Fund (USF) help eligible households with electric, gas, and medically necessary cooling costs. Applications are now open.

What: HEAP provides a one-time annual benefit to help with heating costs. The amount depends on the household size, heating type, and income. USF provides a monthly credit on gas and electric bills.

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

When: HEAP applications will be accepted from October 1 through June 30. USF applications will be accepted through mid-August. It is advisable to apply as soon as possible since processing times can be very long.

How:

1. Determine where to submit:

If you received HEAP in 2024–2025:

and assign your application to the agency that processed it last year.

Don’t know the agency? Call the State Utilities Assistance Hotline: 1-800-510-3102.

If you do not have internet access, you can also contact the agency that processed your application for assistance.

• For Ocean Inc: 40 Main Street in Toms River - Call them for walk-in and appointment hours on 732-244-9041.
• For CARC: Walk into their office at 215 Madison Avenue in Lakewood.

For new applicants or if you did not receive your HEAP benefit in 2024–2025:

You may assign your application to JCP&L for processing. For help completing your new application, call JCP&L at 732-212-4150 or email njeaot@firstenergycorp.com. Please specify: Attention: Nicole and Maani on the subject line. JCP&L will be scheduling in-person meetings at the LRRC office as needed. They can also take applications over the phone, and documentation would need to be emailed.

If you currently receive SNAP, call 1-800-510-3102 before applying. You may already be approved for HEAP/USF through SNAP.

2. Have the items in the Required Documents list (below) ready.

3. Upload & Submit:

• You can review a step-by-step application tutorial here: https://dcaid.dca.nj.gov/en-US/uap2portalwrittenguide.pdf
• Upload documents to the appropriate sections (use “Other Documents” if a file doesn’t fit a listed category).
• Answer all questions and submit your application.

4. Application Follow-Up:

If your complete application is not approved or denied within 90 days, make sure to follow up with the processing agency.

Please note that unlike prior years, the LRRC cannot submit, track, or follow up on individual application statuses this season.

Further Information:

• For information about other utility assistance programs, see our 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 an LRRC caseworker through our automated scheduling system online at lrrcenter.org/appt, by calling 732-523-1789, or e-mail utilities@lrrcenter.org.

Required Documents:

• Address Verification

  • Homeowners - most recent mortgage statement, tax bill, or deed. . If there are cosigners who do not live in the home listed on the documentation, provide proof that they live elsewhere.
  • 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

• Utility Verification

  • 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 parents 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.