New Jersey Shares Program

• The New Jersey Statewide Heating Assistance and Referral for Energy Services (Njshares.org) is a nonprofit organization that provides financial assistance to those who need assistance with their electric and gas bills. Typically, those who are ineligible for the Home Energy Assistance Program and the Universal Service Fund may become eligible for the New Jersey Shares Program. Those who fall below the 400 percent poverty level may receive a one-time grant for as much as $700 for overdue gas bills and as much as $300 for overdue electric bills as of 2011.
  
  

Universal Service Fund

• According to the State of New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities, "the goal of the Universal Service Fund (njenergyassistance.nj.gov) program is to help ensure that income eligible New Jersey utility customers pay no more than 6 percent of their annual income for their natural gas and electric service combined." New Jersey residents with households whose income falls below the 175 percent poverty level are eligible for this program. Refer to the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs website for family size and income breakdowns.The maximum amount payable for overdue gas and electric bills is $1,800. Applications are accepted during two periods, between April 1 and October 21 and between November 1 and March 31 as of 2011.
  
  

Home Energy Assistance Program

• For struggling and lower income families, the N.J. Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP (energyassistance.nj.gov), provides a one-time cash benefit each year for assistance with heating and cooling bills. As of 2011, applications were available from Nov. 1, 2010, to April 30, 2011. Applications are available through local civic and community action organizations. New Jersey residents with a household income below the 200 percent poverty level are eligible. In New Jersey, applications for the Home Energy Assistance Program are automatically applied to the Universal Service Fund Program.
  
  

Lifeline

• The New Jersey Lifeline Program (no website, P.O. Box 360; Trenton, NJ; 800-792-9745) provides seniors age 65 and older and adults age 18 and older who receive Social Security benefits with up to $225 for assistance with overdue gas and electric bills. However, as of 2011, the annual income for an applicant must be less than $24,432 if single and less than $29,956 if married.