Energy Assistance
LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program)
LIHEAP helps with heating costs and may cover certain medically necessary cooling expenses. Eligibility is based on household size and income. Even if your heat is included in your rent, you may qualify. You must apply each year at your local county LIHEAP office. Note that if you qualified for LIHEAP last year, you must reapply by submitting the state recertification form you have or will receive in the mail, along with all required documents, to your local agency. Application period begins November 1st. Call 1-800-510-3102 or click here to visit their website.
Universal Service Fund (USF)
USF provides monthly credits on your utility bill if it has been determined that your energy bills exceed 6 percent of your household monthly income. You could qualify for up to $1,800 each year. Applications can be filed any time of the year. Call 1-866-240-1347 or click here to visit their website.
USF FreshStart
First-time USF customers are automatically enrolled if their past due amount is greater than $60.00. You are required by Elizabethtown Gas to only pay your current bill on time every month for 12 months, and your past due balance will be erased. No need to apply; we will send you a letter if you are eligible.
Comfort Partners
Provides free home analysis, energy education and weatherization measures. Eligibiity is based on income. Click on the Comfort Partners tab to the left for additional information.
Lifeline Credit Program
Lifeline provides an annual grant – $112.50 each for natural gas and electric bills – for seniors 65+ who meet income guidelines and adults 18+ who receive Social Security Disability. A monthly utility benefit will be included in your check. You must fill out an application each year. Call 1-800-792-9745 or click here to visit their website.
TRUE Grant
The TRUE Grant Program (Temporary Relief for Utility Expenses) is a one-time assistance program that is designed to help low to moderate income households that are experiencing economic hardship and are struggling to pay their electric and natural gas bills. It provides a maximum grant of $750.00 towards the gas bill and a maximum grant of $750.00 towards the electric bill.
The TRUE energy assistance program benefits homeowners and renters who are NJ residents, have not received USF/HEA in the past 12 months, are facing a crisis situation that includes a documented notice of overdue payment for gas and/or electric service, and have a past history of making regular payments towards their utility bills.
For more information about the requirements and to obtain an application, call 855-465-8783 or visit www.ahanjtrue.org
NJ SHARES
Provides a one-time grant for persons in a temporary financial crisis who exceed the income guidelines for other energy assistance programs. Call 1-866-657-4273 or United Way at 211 or visit www.njshares.org to visit their website.
To learn if you are eligible for assistance, please click the Agency Intake Offices link above for contact information.
CredAbility
If you or someone you know is having trouble paying bills, reach out to CredAbility, a national, nonprofit credit counseling agency, by calling 1-800-2512227 or visiting www.credability.org. (Usted puede visitar la versión del español Idioma del sitio haciendo clic aquí.)
Donate to NJ SHARES Any Time of Year
Donate to NJ SHARES at any time during the year. NJ SHARES funds are provided by voluntary donations by customers like you, with a portion matched by Elizabethtown Gas. To donate, just add $1, $2, $5, $10, $15 or $20 to your monthly bill payment.
Our system will automatically recognize your overpayment in the amounts noted above as a donation to NJ SHARES.
Note: If you would like to pay ahead on your bill, add an amount other than $1, $2, $5, $10, $15 or $20, to your monthly bill payment so that your account is noted correctly.