Universal Service Fund Programs (USF)

NEW! October 1, 2021 
USF offers a monthly bill credit and/or debt forgiveness through the Fresh Start program. Starting October 1, 2021, the program has been expanded to help customers through the pandemic as follows: 

• Granted Fresh Start enrollment regardless of previous participation
• Increased income limits significantly to make it easier to qualify
• Increased monthly bill credits and debt forgiveness to provide more assistance

USF provides low-income customers a payment plan to help lower the monthly cost for electric service. Participants pay a maximum percentage of their total household income for electric and natural gas. USF is a statewide program administered by the New Jersey Department of Human Services. Fresh Start, the debt forgiveness component of USF, provides a one-time opportunity to eliminate pre-program account arrearages. There are household income and other program qualification requirements.

Program Availability: Open year-round

To Apply:

• Contact NJ211 by dialing 2-1-1
• Division of Housing and Community Resources - DCAid Eligibility Screening Tool*

New Jersey Statewide Heating Assistance and Referral for Energy Services
(New Jersey SHARES)

New Jersey SHARES is a non-profit corporation organized to provide assistance to individuals and families living in New Jersey who are in need of temporary help in paying their energy bills. This program is designed to assist customers who would otherwise have no means of assistance. A history of good faith utility payments is considered for eligibility.

JCP&L is a founding member of New Jersey SHARES. Program funding is provided by JCP&L customers, company employees, and FirstEnergy shareholders. The distribution of funds is administered by community-based organizations throughout the JCP&L service territory.

Program Availability: Open year-round

To Apply:

• Contact NJ Shares Energy Assistance Hotline at 866-657-4273
• New Jersey SHARES Agency Finder*
• New Jersey SHARES* Website*

• New Jersey SHARES Contribution Form Online* 

Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP/HEAP)

The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) helps income-eligible residents with their heating and cooling bills, and makes provisions for emergency heating system services and emergency fuel assistance within the Home Energy Assistance Program.

HEAP has two components:

1. HEAP Cash Program - Annual grant to help with heating costs.
2. HEAP Emergency Program - Provides an emergency payment (once per heating season) for qualified low-income customers. The payment must be used to avoid a shutoff or restore electric service. 
    

Program Availability: Typically open October 1 - June 30

To Apply:

• Contact NJ211 by dialing 2-1-1
• HEAP Application and Agency Finder* 
• Division of Housing and Community Resources - DCAid Eligibility Screening Tool*
• DCAid List of Agencies that Assist with Emergency HEAP*

Lifeline

Lifeline provides funding for utility bills (electric and natural gas) for qualifying disabled persons and senior citizens. Application must be made annually to receive the benefit. There are certain program requirements. For example, the Lifeline benefit pertains only to the customer's primary residence and must be in the customer's name - or the spouse's name.

Program Availability: Open year-round

To Apply:

• Lifeline Hotline at 609-588-7182
• Lifeline Website*

Payment Assistance for Gas & Electric (PAGE)
UPDATED Eligibility Requirements

PAGE is an annual assistance program designed to help zero- to moderate-income households across the state of New Jersey.  PAGE benefits homeowners and renters who are New Jersey residents that have an electric and/or gas account that is any of the following :

• Currently past due 
• Received a disconnection notice
• Disconnected

Minimum account balance must be $100. Grant can be applied to a security deposit. Customers with zero or low income are encouraged to apply for the Universal Service Fund (USF) or Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) in addition to the PAGE grant.

Program Availability: Open year-round

To Apply:

• Contact Affordable Housing Alliance at 732-982-8710
• NJPowerOn Website*

More Information:

• Income Eligibility Guidelines
• PAGE Application and Agency Finder

Comfort Partners Programs

The Comfort Partners Program is a free energy conservation and education program for low-income customers of Jersey Central Power & Light. The program helps customers save energy and money by reducing their electric bills. This is done by installing energy conservation measures in the home and by educating family members on their energy and conservation choices. Participation is prioritized based on the customer's energy consumption. There are household income requirements and other program qualifications. 

Program Availability: Open year-round

To Apply:

• Contact Clear Results at 800-915-8309
• Comfort Partner Webpage

211 Helpline

This nationwide resource and information helpline will identify programs in your area that may assist you or someone you know with utility bills.

To Apply

• Contact Call 211
• Text your ZIP Code to 898211
• 211 Website*

Energy Assistance Days for 2022

If you could use some help paying your electric bill, be sure to attend an energy assistance event.  Representatives from multiple utilities as well as Community Action Partnership agencies are on hand for these events to:

• Determine which energy assistance programs are best for you
• Assist with the application process
• Answer questions about your bill
   

To apply for assistance, you’ll need to bring Social Security cards and proof of income for all household members, your deed or rental lease and a recent electric bill.

In addition to these programs, income-eligible households may qualify for other programs to help reduce energy bills.
 

• New Jersey Now Offers Expanded Assistance Programs That Can Help 
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• Apply for New Jersey's Assistance Programs Today 
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• Apply for FREE Utility Grants Online Today
  • Scan this QR Code (English)
  • Scan this QR Code (Spanish)

Upcoming Events

Tuesday June 7, 2022 from 1-3 pm Rooselt Plaza Park, 520 Market Street, Camden, NJ 08102 Event Brochure (English) Event Brochure (Spanish) QR Code - Apply Today

Critical Customer Care Program

The Critical Customer Care Program identifies customers who use certain electrically operated life sustaining medical equipment in their home. The program helps customers - for whom a service interruption could be immediately life threatening or would make operation of necessary medical or life supporting equipment impossible or impractical - prepare for planned and unplanned power outages. Please contact us if someone in your home uses this type of medical equipment.

Contact: Jersey Central Power & Light - Email or call 800-662-3115

Medical Certification

Customers with severe health problems may have a Licensed Medical Professional with prescriptive authority certify in writing that a termination of electric service would aggravate the medical condition.  A form will be sent to the licensed medical professional to complete and return.  The medical certification, if accepted, will temporarily postpone the termination of electric service.  The Company has the right to require a reasonable proof of an inability to pay as consideration of acceptance. The customer is still responsible for the past-due amount and will be given the opportunity to pay the balance in monthly installments. The certification is designed to provide the customer with additional time to pay their past-due balance.  Normal billing will continue during the hold period, but any collection-related activity will cease. 

Contact: Jersey Central Power & Light - Email or call 800-662-3115