PSE&G Reminds Eligible Customers To Apply For Heating Assistance

Help is available to pay energy bills

News provided by

Public Service Electric & Gas Company (PSE&G)

Feb 04, 2013, 10:55 ET

NEWARK, N.J., Feb. 4, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- PSE&G is reminding customers that the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is now taking applications for the 2013 heating season.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120830/MM62627LOGO )

"Last year over 90,000 PSE&G customers received help from the Low Income Heating Assistance Program, but we know there are many more who are not aware of it," said Joseph A. Forline, PSE&G's vice president for customer solutions. "We want to make sure individuals and families who are struggling financially take advantage of all available assistance."

The federal LIHEAP program has allocated $136 million to New Jersey to help low income households pay their winter heating bills. Individuals and families may now apply; applications will be accepted until April 30, 2013. Homeowners as well as tenants are eligible and should apply. Those who received LIHEAP benefits last year are urged to reapply to ensure they receive benefits this year.

LIHEAP income eligibility levels are at 200 percent of the federal poverty level. That means a family of four with a monthly income at or below $3,842 may be eligible.

The chart below provides income eligibility information.

LIHEAP INCOME GUIDELINES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2013
Household Size	Monthly Gross Income	Household Size	Monthly Gross Income
1	$1,862	7	$5,822
2	$2,522	8	$6,482
3	$3,182	9	$7,142
4	$3,842	10	$7,384
5	$4,502	11	$7,538
6	$5,162	12	$7,692
To determine eligibility for household sizes greater than 12, add $154 for each additional member.

PSE&G customers can pick up an application at one of PSE&G's 16 customer service centers. Locations and hours are listed on customer bills. In addition, representatives from local LIHEAP application sites are taking applications at some of our customer service centers in Hackensack, Jersey City, Newark, West Orange, and New Brunswick.

Customers who apply for LIHEAP are automatically screened for the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities' Universal Service Fund (USF), a program that can make electric and gas bills more affordable for low-income customers. If eligible, USF customers can receive up to $150 a month to pay for gas and electric bills.

PSE&G households may also be eligible for other valuable assistance programs, including New Jersey SHARES, and the TRUE Grant programs. These programs assist households that do not qualify for low income programs like LIHEAP and USF.

Applications and information about LIHEAP, USF, NJ SHARES, TRUE Grant and other programs are available in English and Spanish at pseg.com/help or pseg.com/ayuda. Information can also be found by calling the LIHEAP toll free line at 1-800-510-3102 seven days a week from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm.

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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CONTACT FOR CUSTOMERS & Others: 800-436-7734

SOURCE Public Service Electric & Gas Company (PSE&G)