Programs offer assistance with payments for energy
BY DAVE BENJAMIN
Staff Writer

JACKSON - Councilman Jason J. Gudaitis is informing residents who are in need of assistance in paying their energy bills that they may be eligible for help through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

Applications must be filed before March 31.

Gudaitis said LIHEAP assists in directly paying for heating costs and the Universal Service Fund provides a monthly credit on an electric bill, a natural gas bill, or both.

An eligible household that heats with natural gas or electricity may have its benefits directly forwarded to its utility company, according to the state Department of Community Affairs (DCA).

In most other cases, eligible households directly responsible to a fuel supplier for payment of home heating costs receive a two-part check in the name of the applicant and the fuel supplier.

Maximum monthly gross income eligibility levels for 2007 are listed here according to household size and monthly income: One person, $1,430 per month; two people, $1,925; three people, $2,421; four people, $2,917; five people, $3,413; six people, $3,909; seven people, $4,405; eight people, $4,900; nine people, $5,396; 10 people, $5,892; 11 people, $6,388; and 12 people, $6,703.

To determine eligibility for household sizes greater than 12 people, add $135 for each additional member.

Seniors or disabled persons receiving Lifeline benefits through the Lifeline program from the Department of Health and Senior Services are not precluded from receiving benefits through the LIHEAP and USF programs.

"In fact, they may be eligible for all three programs," Gudaitis said.

To be eligible for LIHEAP benefits, the applying household must be responsible for home heating costs either directly or through inclusion in rental payments and must meet the gross monthly income requirements.

By applying for LIHEAP, the applicant is automatically applying for the USF program as well.

Cooling costs may also be eligible for a subsidy with a doctor's note stating that cooling is medically necessary to the applicant's household.

The community organization for the Jackson area is Ocean Inc., Central Office, 22 Hyers Street, P.O. Box 1029, Toms River 08754. The organization may be reached at (732) 244-3962. Ocean Inc. is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. LIHEAP coordinator Lori Sigrist may be reached at (732) 244-9041, ext. 16.

Questions may also be directed to the DCA by calling 1-800-510-3102. The DCA Internet Web site is http://www.nj.gov/dca.

Additional information along with an application for the LIHEAP and USF programs will be available at Jackson town hall, 95 West Veterans Highway, and can also be found at the Internet link www.nj.gov/dca/dcr/hea-/index.shtml and at www.energyassistance.nj.gov. Both will be posted on the Jackson Web site, www.jacksontwpnj.net/.