State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
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Utilities and phone
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) in New Jersey
New Jersey's Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), also called Home Energy Assistance, helps pay heating bills and, with a doctor's note, a $300 cooling benefit.
The same application also covers the Universal Service Fund (USF), a state program that lowers gas and electric bills. Applications for 2026–27 are taken from Oct. 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027, first come, first served.
How to apply in New Jersey
- By phone
- 1-800-510-3102
- In person
- Apply through the local application agency in your county, usually a community action agency. The state lists them by county on its LIHEAP/USF agency page, or you can call the hotline to find yours.
Applying is free. Nobody should charge you to apply.
Apply on the official siteWho may qualify in New Jersey
| Gross income limit, one person (FFY 2027) | $4,273 a month for one person (60% of state median income) |
|---|---|
| Gross income limit, two people (FFY 2027) | $5,587 a month for two people (60% of state median income) |
| Who pays the bill | Your household must pay for heating or cooling, either directly or as part of the rent. People in public housing or with rental help usually can't get heating help unless they pay the fuel company themselves. |
| Savings limit | No limit |
Source: New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (source 2)
What you may get
| Heating benefit (2027 benefit grid) | $118 to $1,278, depending on fuel, income, household size and county |
|---|---|
| Medically necessary cooling benefit | $300 once, if a doctor says a household member's health is at serious risk without cooling |
| Emergency help | Up to $800 for fuel when you are without heat or about to lose it, plus up to $100 for reconnection. Available December through June 30; gas and electric emergencies open after the winter shut-off ban ends March 15. |
| Most a household can get in a year | $4,878 in program benefits, plus emergency and furnace repair payments |
Source: New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (source 4)
Dates, renewals and waiting lists
| Application period (FFY 2027) | Oct. 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027, first come, first served |
|---|---|
| Cooling help | Requested on the same application, during the same Oct. 1 to June 30 period |
Source: New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (source 2)
How New Jersey is different
Where New Jersey's rules differ from the federal rules for LIHEAP heating and cooling help.
- The LIHEAP application also signs you up for the Universal Service Fund, a state program that caps gas and electric bills as a share of income.
- People 60 or older or disabled can apply by mail or ask for a home visit.
- Some households on SNAP get a heating payment automatically, without applying.
- Cooling help is a flat $300 and needs a medical form from a doctor.
Source: New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (source 2)
Good to know
- If you heat with gas or electricity, the benefit usually goes straight to your utility. Oil and propane customers usually get a check made out to them and the fuel dealer.
- If your application isn't decided within 30 days and you are elderly or disabled, you can ask for a fair hearing (60 days for other households).
Source: New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (source 2)
Free help
Free help with this in New Jersey
Division of Aging Services (DoAS)
Your local Area Agency on Aging can help with meals, rides, help at home, caregiver support and applying for benefits.
More help in New Jersey
Help with heating and cooling bills in another state
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Sources
- New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, Low Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program and Universal Service Fund FFY 2027 Fact Sheet (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, LIHEAP FY2027 Handbook (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, FY2027 Benefit Matrix (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, LIHEAP/USF Local Application Agencies (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
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