Utility Aid Program Now Open, Delivering Greater Energy Affordability for New Jersey Households
| For Immediate Release: | Contact: Alonza Robertson |
| Date: 10/30/2026 | 609-913-6237 |
Universal Service Fund provides monthly bill credits of up to $200, while expanded utility outreach helps more eligible residents access aid
TRENTON, N.J. – October 30, 2026 – The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) is encouraging eligible households to take advantage of utility bill aid through the state's Universal Service Fund (USF), as the new energy aid application period officially opened October 1. Administered by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (NJDCA), USF helps eligible low-to moderate income households keep their monthly electric and natural gas bills at an affordable amount.
“Affordability is at the center of everything we're doing at the Board, and that means making sure New Jersey families can access the aid they need to manage their utility bills,” said NJBPU President Ben Hertz-Shargel. “These expanded benefits put more money back into household budgets, and our work with utilities and community partners will help connect more eligible residents with aid. We want every New Jerseyan who qualifies for these programs to know that help is available and that applying is easier than they may think.”
“Every New Jersey family deserves access to safe, reliable, and affordable energy and we are committed to making sure eligible households know about the utility aid available to them. With increased monthly benefits and expanded outreach to help residents navigate the application process, the Universal Service Fund can provide meaningful relief on utility costs for families managing tight household budgets," said DCA Commissioner Jacquelyn A. Suárez. "We encourage eligible residents to apply for USF and LIHEAP benefits and take advantage of the resources available to help make their energy bills more affordable.”
The USF program now provides minimum monthly bill credits of $20 for gas and electric each, quadruple the previous $5 minimum, and provides maximum bill credits of $200 per month, up from $180, for gas and electric combined. The Board approved these increases to USF benefits last year and these enhancements continue to provide meaningful financial relief for households struggling with energy costs. Additionally, the Board ordered the seven gas and electric utility companies to assist first-time enrollees with their applications, which has increased program access statewide.
Enrolling in USF also provides households with access to other programs, such as the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (“LIHEAP”) and the USF-Fresh Start energy debt forgiveness program. Participating in USF also provides protections from utility shut off during the winter and summer months.
The USF program is part of the Board's broader commitment to energy affordability under Governor Mikie Sherrill's administration, complementing ongoing efforts to lower energy costs, strengthen consumer protections, and ensure that New Jersey residents have access to safe, reliable and affordable utility service.
Key improvements to the Universal Service Fund over the past year include:
- Increased Benefits: Eligible households now receive a minimum monthly USF credit of $20 on their gas and/or electric bills, up from $5, and a maximum monthly benefit of up to $200 for gas and electric combined, up from $180. USF is designed so that households do not pay more than three percent of household income on energy costs, up to the cap.
- Expanded Enrollment Efforts: Electric and gas utilities are required to meet enrollment growth targets through proactive customer outreach over a three-year period. During the last program year, the utilities combined efforts resulted in exceeding the first-year statewide enrollment target, successfully enrolling over 8,000 first-time USF participants statewide.
- Greater Accountability: Utilities must submit annual outreach plans and performance reports documenting their progress toward enrollment goals.
- Direct Application Aid: Utilities are required to play a more active role in helping eligible customers apply for USF benefits. Some utility company initiatives over the past year included hosting regular enrollment days at payment centers, senior centers, and local houses of worship and creating mobile aid units that target communities or households in need of one-on-one support.
- Coordination with Energy Efficiency Programs: Utilities actively promote the Comfort Partners program, which provides qualifying residents with free home energy assessments and energy efficiency improvements, which further reduces energy burdens and as a result, reliance on aid programs.
Applications Now Open for the New Energy Aid Program Year
Starting October 1st, New Jersey households can apply with one application for both the USF and federal LIHEAP benefits at: www.nj.gov/dca/dcaid. Customers can receive benefits from both programs at the same time.
While USF delivers recurring monthly credits that help eligible households better afford natural gas and electric service, LIHEAP provides lump sum benefit aid with home heating costs, including gas, electric, deliverable fuels and help for those with energy costs included in rent. LIHEAP also provides medically necessary cooling expenses, emergency aid funds when in danger of disconnection and heating repair and replacement.
Income limits and program eligibility information is available at: www.energyassistance.nj.gov. Residents can also call 1-800-510-3102 for information about program eligibility, available aid, where they can seek in person help locally and application status updates.
The LIHEAP application period runs from October 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis while funding remains available. Eligible residents are encouraged to apply promptly.
Additional Utility Aid and Consumer Protections
Beyond USF and LIHEAP, New Jersey offers additional programs to help residents through difficult times. One such program is the NJBPU’s Winter Termination Program, which provides protection against utility service disconnections for qualifying households during the winter months, from November 15 through March 15. Customers can call their utility company during the protection period and request to be enrolled. For additional information about customer protections and aid programs, please visit www.nj.gov/bpu/assistance/programs/.
NJBPU continues to work closely with NJDCA, utility companies and community organizations to improve awareness of available aid, increase participation and ensure that residents can access these resources.
“Energy aid is an essential part of our work to make New Jersey more affordable,” Hertz-Shargel said. “We're committed to making these programs more effective, more accessible and better coordinated so that the benefits reach the households that need them most.”
Residents who are having difficulty paying their utility bills are encouraged to seek help before facing a service disruption.
New Jersey Board of Public Utilities
NJBPU is a state agency and regulatory authority mandated to ensure safe, adequate and proper utility services at reasonable rates for New Jersey customers. Critical services regulated by NJBPU include natural gas, electricity, water, wastewater, telecommunications and cable television. The Board has general oversight and responsibility for monitoring utility service, ###
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