Financial Aid Available for Energy, Water, and Sewer Bills During Utility Assistance Week

New Jersey DCA Encourages Residents to Apply for Utility Assistance Programs

Financial Aid Available for Energy, Water, and Sewer Bills During Utility Assistance Week

The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) is reminding residents during Utility Assistance Week that help is available for those struggling to pay energy, water, and sewer bills. The aim of Utility Assistance Week is to raise awareness about existing programs and resources that can provide financial aid to households facing difficulties paying past-due utility bills.

Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver, who also serves as DCA Commissioner, emphasized the Murphy Administration's commitment to providing utility assistance to those in need, ensuring that New Jersey residents do not have to choose between essential expenses and utility bills. She urged residents to visit the DCA website to learn more about the available assistance programs and how to apply.

DCA offers several programs to help households in need of utility assistance:

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) assists low- and moderate-income households with heating bills, emergency heating system services, and emergency fuel assistance. With recent increases in federal income limits, more families are now eligible for LIHEAP assistance. The program can help households at or below 60% of the state median income, such as $6,662 a month for a family of four. Participants in LIHEAP are automatically eligible for Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) assistance, provided they are water/wastewater bill holders.
The Universal Service Fund (USF) helps make natural gas and electric bills more affordable for low- and moderate-income households. To qualify, a household's gross income must be at or below 400% of the federal poverty level ($111,000 a year for a family of four), and the household must spend more than 3% of its annual income on electric or natural gas bills.
The Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) assists households at or below 60% of the state median income in reducing overdue balances on residential water and sewer bills. To be eligible for LIHWAP benefits, households must be responsible for their water and sewer costs. Funds are provided directly to the water and sewer companies on behalf of the residential customer. The assistance can be used to restore services, pay reconnection fees and other charges accrued due to disconnection, avoid service disruption, and help afford bill payments going forward.

All of these programs are currently accepting applications. Households can visit the DCAid portal at www.nj.gov/dca/dcaid to submit an application for assistance. Those without internet access can call 1-800-510-3102 to be directed to one of the community action agencies partnering with DCA for help with starting, completing, and submitting an application online.

For more information about DCA and its wide range of programs and services, visit https://nj.gov/dca/.