Deadline for Energy Assistance Program Is Extended

NEWARK, N.J., May 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --- PSE&G is alerting its customers that there is still time to apply for help in paying their heating bills.

The deadline to apply for assistance through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) has been extended to May 28. Many eligible individuals and families have not yet applied.

LIHEAP is a federally funded program that helps income-eligible customers offset the cost of heating bills and in some circumstances may cover medically necessary cooling expenses as well. Eligibility is based on household size and income. Only the last month of income is counted, which is especially important for those who are newly unemployed or underemployed. Assets, such as the family home, are not considered when determining eligibility. Customers do not have to have an outstanding bill to apply.

Customers must apply for the program every year. Customers qualifying for LIHEAP last year must reapply by submitting the state recertification form they received in the mail, along with all required documents, at their local LIHEAP agency.

The LIHEAP application is also an application for the Universal Service Fund (USF) Program which helps make natural gas and electric bills more affordable for low-income households. With the single application, customers can apply for both energy assistance programs at the same time and may be eligible for one or both of them if they qualify. The USF income eligibility is lower than for the LIHEAP program. For more information about USF, call 1-866-240-1347. Customers must submit their applications to their designated state agency in their county.

For further information about LIHEAP, and to locate the nearest application agency, call 1-800-510-3102. Information, including income qualification charts and downloadable applications, is also available at www.pseg.com/liheap or www.pseg.com/ayuda. PSE&G customers can also pick up an application at one of PSE&G's 16 customer service centers. Locations and hours are listed on customer bills.

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)