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Elizabethtown Gas Encourages Customers to Take Advantage of Energy Assistance Programs After Moratorium Expiration

UNION, NJ March 15, 2022 – Elizabethtown Gas, a subsidiary of South Jersey Industries (NYSE: SJI), encourages its customers to continue taking full advantage of available energy assistance programs beyond the moratorium expiration on utility shutoffs, effective today, March 15, 2022.

Elizabethtown Gas customers behind on their payments should know that several state and federal programs are still available to assist with their utility bills. In addition, the following assistance programs have been expanded to include higher-income households in response to the ongoing economic challenges experienced by residential utility customers due to the pandemic. For instance, a family of four can make up to $106,000 and may be eligible to receive assistance. Elizabethtown Gas’ Energy Assistance team is available to help customers determine if they are eligible for any of these services and identify which program is suitable for each household.

• The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides federally funded energy assistance to help low- or fixed-income families meet their energy needs. LIHEAP also offers an added emergency crisis benefit component, offering eligible applicants an additional benefit of up to $700 to maintain or restore service. LIHEAP accepts applications from October 1 through June 30 each year and accepts applications for its ancillary emergency grant from March 16 through June 30 each year. For more information on the application process or to apply online, visit the Department of Community Affairs’ website at www.nj.gov/dca.
• The Universal Service Fund (USF) state program helps make natural gas and electric bills more affordable for low-income households. Customers who apply for LIHEAP automatically submit for consideration of the USF grant. USF has also revised its program to address customers’ needs by increasing its monthly benefit from $150 to $180. In addition, all customers who have been approved for the USF program over the next two years will be screened for the USF Fresh Start program if arrears are greater than $60. USF accepts applications year-round.
• The Payment Assistance for Gas and Electric (PAGE) is a state-funded utility assistance program that helps low-to moderate-income families in New Jersey pay their utility bills. The PAGE grant is administered by the Affordable Housing Alliance and is funded by the Board of Public Utilities (BPU). It is a financial assistance program designed to help households across the state of New Jersey who are experiencing economic hardship and struggling to pay their electric and natural gas bills. New Jersey residents who rent or own a home and are facing a crisis situation that includes a documented notice of overdue payment for gas or electric service may qualify.
• The NJ SHARES program provides a one-time grant to moderate or fixed-income households experiencing a financial crisis that do not qualify for federal and state assistance programs due to the household’s income. Grants can be up to $700 for customers with natural gas as a heating source and must result in a continuance and/or restoration of service.
• NJ Comfort Partners is a free energy efficiency and education program for qualified low-income customers offered through the New Jersey Clean Energy Program. The program helps customers save energy and money while making their homes more energy efficient. Eligible customers will receive all energy-saving education services free of charge. The program also includes the installation of cost-effective energy efficiency measures in the home.

Customers may apply for these programs online, through mail or in person. For more information on how or where to apply, visit elizabethtowngas.com, the Board of Public Utilities’ official website (bpu.state.nj.us), NJPowerOn.org or NJsharesgreen.org.

For additional details on these programs, including eligibility requirements and help applying to the above programs, customers can contact the Elizabethtown Gas Energy Assistance team at Elizabethtowngaspaymentassistance@sjindustries.com. Customers can also get up-to-date information on community outreach events via Twitter @etowngas and on Facebook.