South Jersey Gas Customers May be Eligible for Energy Assistance
Newsroom >
South Jersey Gas News
FOLSOM, NJ – March 18, 2019 – South Jersey Gas wants to remind customers that there are several federal and state assistance programs to help manage winter energy costs.
“We recognize the importance of safe, reliable, affordable natural gas service,” said Dave Robbins, president of South Jersey Gas. “Through our Energy Assistance team, we conduct ongoing customer outreach to build awareness of critical resources to help manage energy costs.”
South Jersey Gas’ Energy Assistance team is available to help customers determine if they are eligible for any of these services and identify which program is right for each household.
- The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides federally funded energy assistance to help low- and fixed-income families meet their energy needs. LIHEAP offers an added emergency crisis benefit component, offering eligible applicants an additional monetary benefit of up to $600 to maintain or restore service. LIHEAP and its ancillary emergency grant are accepting applications through Aug. 31, 2019.
- The Universal Service Fund (USF) state program helps make natural gas and electric bills more affordable for low-income households. Customers who apply for LIHEAP automatically submit for consideration of the USF grant.
- The Payment Assistance for Gas and Electric (PAGE) grant is an annual NJ assistance program designed to assist low to moderate-income households that are experiencing economic hardship and are struggling to pay their energy bills. The PAGE grant benefits homeowners and renters who are not currently receiving USF, are facing a crisis that includes a documented notice of overdue payment for gas and/or elective service and have a history of making regular payments toward their utility bills.
- The NJ SHARES program provides a one-time grant to moderate and fixed-income households experiencing a financial crisis that do not qualify for federal and state assistance programs due to the household’s income. Grants can be up to $700 for natural gas heating source and must result in a continuance and/or restoration of service.
For additional details on these programs including eligibility requirements and for help applying to the above programs, customers can contact the South Jersey Gas Energy Assistance team at
outreachteam@sjindustries.com. Customers can also get up to date information on community outreach events via Twitter @southjerseygas and on Facebook at South Jersey Gas.