Universal Service Fund Program

Frequently Asked Questions

• What are the benefits of USF?

  USF is a statewide assistance program that provides low- and moderate-income households with monthly credits on electric and gas bills to help make bills more affordable. Eligible customers may also receive a one-time elimination of their account balance at enrollment through the USF Fresh Start Program. 

• How do I qualify for USF?

  To qualify for the USF program, you must:

  • Have a household gross income (before taxes) at or below 60% of the State Median Income.
  • Pay more than 2% of annual income for utilities (electric and natural gas). If a household has electric heat, it must spend more than 4% of its annual income on electricity. 
• How long does it take to schedule an appointment to apply for USF?

  Once you have submitted a request to apply for the USF program, you will receive an email requesting to schedule an appointment with our Energy Assistance Outreach Team (EAOT) within three (3) business days of your submitted request.  

• How long does it take for me to be approved to receive USF benefit?

  While times may vary, your completed application will usually be processed within 60 days by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA).

• When will I receive my USF benefits?

  Once your application is approved, it can take up to 30 days for your USF benefit to be applied to your utility accounts, depending on the cycle of your utility bills.

• Do I need to apply separately to enroll in the Fresh Start Program?

  No. Fresh Start will automatically be applied for eligible households.

• Can I get help applying for USF in person?

  Customers can visit a local business office to receive information about how to contact our EAOT team to apply for the USF program. Hours of operation for local business offices are 8:15 a.m. to 4 p.m.

  Allenhurst Business Office
  300 Main Street
  Allenhurst, NJ, 08857

  Hopatcong Business Office
  175 Center Street
  Landing, NJ 07850

  Morristown Business Office
  300 Madison Avenue
  Morristown, NJ 07960

  Old Bridge Business Office
  1345 Englishtown Road
  Old Bridge, NJ 08857

  Phillipsburg Business Office
  400 Lincoln Street
  Phillipsburg, NJ 08865

  Tom River Business Office
  25 Adafre Avenue
  Toms River, NJ 08753

• How can I check the status of my application?

  You may contact NJ 211 at (866) 240-1347 or email utilityhelp@nj211.org to be connected to DCA to check the status of your application. 

• How will my USF benefits be calculated?

  There are several factors that will be calculated to determine the amount of USF benefits that you will receive, including annual household income, benefits your household receives from the Lifeline Utility Assistance Program and LIHEAP, and your annual energy burden, which is based on your electric and natural gas bills. 

• If I heat my home with oil or propane, can I receive USF?

  USF benefits are only credited to residential electric and natural gas bills. However, even if you use oil or propane to heat your home, any expenses you have for electric and/or natural gas service will be reviewed for USF. 

• I am a renter, am I eligible for USF?

  If you have an electric and/or natural gas account in your name, you are eligible to receive USF as a renter. 

• I live in subsidized housing, am I eligible for USF?

  If you receive a Section 8 subsidy and have an electric and/or natural gas account in your name, you may be eligible for USF. 

• I receive Lifeline/LIHEAP, will I automatically receive USF?

  Receiving Lifeline and/or LIHEAP benefits does not mean you will automatically qualify for USF, as these programs have differing eligibility criteria. View eligibility requirements for USF.

• If I receive USF, will it affect or make me lose any other assistance that I receive?

  Participating in USF will not affect the benefits you currently receive from other assistance programs. 

• Will I get USF benefits for both my electric and natural gas bill?

  If you receive separate electric and natural gas bills, you may get a USF credit on your electric bill and another on your natural gas bill. 

• How long will my USF benefits last?

  In most cases, you will receive USF benefits for the maximum 12 months per benefit year. However, certain factors such as when you submit your application, if you move during a benefit year and other circumstances may result in your USF benefit lasting less than 12 months. 

• Is my USF benefit automatically approved each year once I am enrolled?

  You will receive a notice reminding you to recertify each year, unless you are enrolled through the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program or the Lifeline Utility Assistance Program. Please note that it can take up to 90 days for your recertification to be processed, so we recommend recertifying at least three months before your USF benefit expires. 

• How can I recertify with USF?

  To recertify your USF enrollment, please contact the agency that assisted you with your initial enrollment.

• Will I receive the same USF benefit amount each year?

  Your USF benefit may change when reenrolling into the program due to factors such as a change in household income or household energy usage. 

• Can my utility service be shut off if I receive USF?

  Your utility services can be terminated if you do not pay your portion of the utility bill each month while you are enrolled in the program. 

• How can I make my home more energy efficient and save on energy costs?

  You may qualify for the New Jersey Comfort Partners program, a free program that helps income-eligible customers save energy and money while increasing their home’s safety and comfort. Learn more about Comfort Partners.

• I receive USF but I am still having trouble paying my electric bill, what should I do?

  In addition to USF, we offer additional bill assistance programs, and we are here to help get you back on track. View other bill assistance programs available in New Jersey that you may be eligible for.