Jersey Central Power & Light
Assistance ProgramsSpecial Notice:
We continue to find ways to assist customers during the coronavirus pandemic and its aftereffects. We will NOT resume normal collections or shut-off activity until at least July 1, 2020 and will comply with any state orders to postpone these activities as long as necessary. We encourage all customers with overdue balances who are unable to reach a payment arrangement to pay what they can to keep their total balance as manageable as possible. Customers may be income-eligible for energy assistance programs during this health emergency. Please check with your local agencies to confirm how they are handling applications during this crisis.
Do you need help paying your electric bill?
A variety of assistance programs are available to help you budget your monthly payments, pay winter heating bills, catch up on past-due payments, or avoid service disconnection. To see what programs are available in your area, click the button below to see the programs for which you may qualify based on your household income and size, to help you get through your financial hardship.
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Universal Service Fund Program (USF)
Universal Service Fund Programs (USF)
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-roundTo Apply:
- Contact NJ211 by dialing 2-1-1
- Division of Housing and Community Resources - DCAid Eligibility Screening Tool*
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New Jersey Statewide Heating Assistance and Referral for Energy Services (SHARES)
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*
Make a Donation:- New Jersey SHARES Contribution Form Online*
- Mail In* your donation
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Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP/HEAP)
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:
- HEAP Cash Program - Annual grant to help with heating costs.
- 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 - July 31
To Apply:
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Lifeline
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-roundTo Apply:
- Lifeline Hotline at 609-588-7182
- Lifeline Website*
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Payment Assistance for Gas & Electric (PAGE)
Payment Assistance for Gas & Electric (PAGE)
PAGE is an annual assistance program designed to help low- to moderate-income households across the state of New Jersey who are experiencing economic hardship and struggling to pay their electric and natural gas bills.
The PAGE energy assistance program benefits homeowners and renters who are New Jersey residents; have not received Universal Service Fund in the past 6 months or Home Energy Assistance within the last heating season, face 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 toward their utility bills.
Program Availability: Open year-roundTo Apply:
- Contact Affordable Housing Alliance at 732-982-8710
- NJPowerOn Website*
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Comfort Partners Program
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-roundTo Apply:
- Contact Clear Results at 800-915-8309
- Comfort Partner Webpage
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211 Helpline
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*
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Energy Assistance Days
Energy Assistance Days for 2020
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.
Upcoming EventsThere are no current planned events. This information will be updated as events are scheduled.
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Extended Due Date
Extended Due Date
If you are at least 60 years old or receive a Social Security or pension check, or if you receive disability assistance, we can extend your payment due date until after your check arrives.
Contact: Jersey Central Power & Light - Email or call 800-662-3115 -
Payment Arrangements
Payment Arrangements
If conditions make it difficult to pay your electric bill on time, we can arrange affordable installments to be paid with your monthly bill. Payment arrangements help maintain your electric service while you make payments more suited to your financial situation.
To Apply:
- Log in to your account or register online to see if you are eligible for an installment plan or
- Contact Jersey Central Power & Light via Email or call 800-662-3115
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Third-Party Notification
Third-Party Notification
Select a third party (a friend, relative, clergy, or social service agency) to be notified, along with yourself, if your electric service is about to be disconnected. The third party is not obligated to pay overdue bills but can remind you of pending disconnection and help you make payment arrangements.
Contact: Jersey Central Power & Light - Email or call 800-662-3115 -
Military Deferred Payment Program
Military Deferred Payment Plan
This program is designed to assist customers who are having financial difficulties because their family members have been called to active military duty. Customers participating in the program may elect to defer paying either all or part of their monthly electric bill. When the family member in the military service returns home, the account will be reviewed to determine payment arrangements for the balance owed.
Customers who have switched to an alternative generation supplier may defer the charges paid to their supplier only if that supplier offers a deferred payment program. If a supplier does not offer a deferred payment program, the supplier charges must be paid each month.
Contact: Jersey Central Power & Light - Email or call 800-662-3115
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Critical Care Program
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
Medical Certification
Customers with severe health problems may have a Medical Professional certify in writing that a termination of electric service would be especially dangerous. The medical certification will postpone the termination of electric service for 30 days. The certification is designed to provide the customer with additional time to pay their past-due balance. The customer is still responsible for the past-due amount and will be given the opportunity to pay the balance in monthly installments.
Contact: Jersey Central Power & Light - Email or call 800-662-3115
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