NJ Energy Assistance Programs to Get You Through the Winter

New Jersey residents are getting out their sweaters and firing up their fireplaces as winter begins to get closer and closer. They are also starting to cut back on all sorts of luxuries in anticipation of needing that extra money to pay their winter heating bills this year. Unfortunately, many customers will still struggle to pay their NJ energy bills. What many of these people don’t realize is that help is available.

The state of New Jersey offers assistance to qualifying households that need help paying their home heating bills. This much-needed help can keep homes warm, bills low and minds at peace this winter. The three core energy assistance programs offered through the state of New Jersey are:

• The Home Energy Assistance Program. This is a program designed for low-income New Jersey residents who need help paying their heating bills this winter. Incidentally, it will also help pay high cooling costs when summer rolls around. In addition to this financial help, the Home Energy Assistance Program can help pay for the costs of emergency repairs to home heating systems and emergency home fuel assistance needed by low-income residents.


• Weatherization Assistance Program. This is a NJ state program that helps provide funds to people who need help weatherizing their homes. The grants provided by this program cover the costs of increasing the energy-efficiency of the home, which in turns lowers the cost of monthly electricity bills. The elderly, the handicapped and low-income residents in the state may all qualify for this program.


• The Universal Service Fund. This is a program designed to reduce the actual rates that customers are required to pay for their energy bills. It’s a way that the state of New Jersey makes energy more affordable for its low-income residents. Make sure that you compare this discount with your options for choosing a lower cost electricity supplier to guarantee that you’re getting the best rates on your NJ energy!

There are certainly things that you can do to reduce your NJ energy bill this winter. You can choose a lower cost energy supplier. You can limit the waste of heat in the home. But these tactics will only lower your bills so much. If you still need help paying for heat this winter, contact the State of New Jersey Department of Community Affairs and ask about their Energy Assistance Programs.