PSE&G Advises New Grant Available to Help Moderate-Income Customers Pay Heating Bills

NEWARK, N.J., Jan. 29, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- PSE&G wants customers to know that a new grant is available to help moderate-income customers who are behind with their PSE&G bill.

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The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) provided funding this year to the Affordable Housing Alliance (AHA) for the new grant known as Payment Assistance Gas and Electric (PAGE). The grant is intended for low- to moderate-income New Jersey residents who are struggling to pay their electric and natural gas bills.

"We know there are families who are falling behind with their PSE&G bill, yet don't qualify for low-income assistance programs," said Joseph A. Forline, PSE&G's vice president for customer solutions. "This new program can provide them with up to $1,400 in much-needed assistance during this brutally cold winter."

To be eligible for a PAGE grant, customers must:

• Have a PSE&G bill that is currently past due.
• Have made at least two payments of $25 or more in the last six months. At least one of those payments was made in the past 30 days, or a $100 good faith payment was made in the last 90 days.
• Have not received assistance from Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) in the current heating season, or have received a Universal Service Fund (USF) benefit within the past six months.
• Meet annual income requirements listed in the chart below.

The PAGE grant application is the same application as the Temporary Relief for Utility Expenses (TRUE), also administered by the AHA. Customers may benefit from both programs in one year, providing up to $2,900 in combined assistance. For more information or to apply online, visit pseg.com/help or call 1.855.465.8783.

Other programs are now accepting applications for the 2014 heating season.

Low Income PSE&G customers who meet the guidelines for LIHEAP may be eligible to receive an average of $300 toward their utility bill. Individuals and families may now apply; applications will be accepted until April 30. Homeowners as well as tenants are eligible and should apply.

To receive LIHEAP assistance, customers must pay their heating costs directly, pay their landlord according to their usage, or have their heating included in their rent. Income guidelines also apply. To be eligible for LIHEAP benefits, the applicant's household gross income must be at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level. That means a family of four making $3,925 or less per month may be eligible.

Customers who apply for LIHEAP are automatically screened for the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities' Universal Service Fund (USF). This program can lower the amount you have to pay for your gas and electric bills. Applications are accepted all year. Customers must reapply each year to continue receiving benefits.

To find out about programs to help to pay your PSE&G bill, visit www.pseg.com/help or call 1-800-510-3102. Most program applications can be downloaded from the website and are available at the PSE&G's 16 walk-in Customer Service Centers listed on your bill. Customers can also apply online for the PAGE Grant, TRUE Grant and NJ SHARES.  

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 & Gas Company (PSE&G)