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Payment Assistance Programs

LIHEAP/USF: If you need help paying your bill, you may be eligible for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) or Universal Service Fund (USF) – one application for both programs.

LIHEAP/USF

If you need help paying your bill, you may be eligible for LIHEAP or USF – one application for both programs.

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NJ SHARES: If you have an outstanding balance on your bill, you may be eligible to receive assistance through NJ SHARES.

SHARES

If you have an outstanding balance on your bill, you may be eligible to receive assistance through SHARES.

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NJ Lifeline for Seniors and Disabled Adults: If you’re a senior citizen or disabled adult, you may be eligible to receive an annual credit on your bill.

NJ Lifeline for Seniors and Disabled Adults

You may be eligible to receive an annual credit on your bill.

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The state of New Jersey offers multiple payment assistance programs for customers struggling to pay their energy bill. Descriptions of the programs, application periods and eligibility guidelines are available below. You can also download a flyer in English and Spanish to learn more about the programs here.

To apply for these programs, the following documents are required:

  • Social security cards (entire household) or 2023 filed income tax returns (not handwritten), if applicable
  • Identification for entire household, if applicable (driver’s license, passport or government issued ID)
  • Proof of income for the previous 30 days, entire household
  • Lease if you rent, copy of mortgage or property tax bill if you own a home
  • Most current PSE&G bill (all pages)
  • Note: Other documentation may be required for application processing.

 

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

The LIHEAP application period is currently closed and will re-open October 1, 2025.

Applications accepted from October 1 – June 30.

  • LIHEAP helps customers pay for winter heating bills and medically-necessary cooling costs. Homeowners and renters are eligible, and you don’t have to be behind on your bill to apply. Income-eligible customers can receive an average of $350 toward their PSE&G heating bill and $300 toward medically-necessary cooling costs.

LIHEAP and USF use the same application. If you apply for LIHEAP, you are also applying for USF.

Universal Service Fund (USF) and Fresh Start Program (FSP)

Applications accepted year-round.

  • USF helps make energy bills more affordable. Income-eligible customers can receive a $5 to $180 monthly USF credit toward their bill.
  • The Fresh Start Program (part of USF) offers forgiveness of past-due balances of over $60. Customers who apply for USF will be screened for FSP and do not have to apply for FSP. As of Oct. 1, 2024, customers are only eligible for FSP every 5 years.

How you can apply:

  • Apply online here.
  • Apply in-person:
    • Download an application and submit it to the social-service intake agency in your county via mail, fax or email with all the required documents. To find local social-service agencies that can process your application, you can also call 1-800-510-3102.
    • Pick up an application at one of the PSE&G’s Customer Service Centers and submit it to the social-service intake agency in your county via mail, fax or email with all the required documents. 

For more information, visit NJ Department of Community Affairs Energy Assistance, or call 1-800-510-3102, 7 days a week, 9 a.m.- 9 p.m.

 

SHARES Energy Assistance Grants

Applications accepted year-round.

  • Income-eligible customers with a balance on their energy bill can receive assistance through the following programs:
    • NJ Board of Public Utilities Payment Assistance Gas and Electric (PAGE)
    • SMART Utility Assistance
    • SHARES Energy Assistance
  • To apply for PAGE and SMART Utility, you must first complete the LIHEAP/USF application process. If you do not qualify for or have been denied from LIHEAP/USF, you may be eligible for SHARES Energy Assistance.
  • A "good faith" payment of up to $100 may be required within 90 days prior to applying.

How you can apply:

 

New Jersey Lifeline for Seniors and Disabled Adults

Applications accepted year-round.

  • NJ Lifeline is a $225 yearly electric or gas bill credit for seniors or disabled adults. To qualify, you must be a New Jersey resident, 65 years of age or older, or 18 years of age or older and receiving Social Security Title II Disability benefits.
  • Income limits (not the household income) for 2025 are less than $53,466 for a single person and less than $60,690 if married. 

 

How you can apply: 

 

For more information, visit NJ Lifeline or call the New Jersey Department of Human Services Division of Aging at 1-800-792-9745.