Last updated: May 20, 2026
Bottom line
If you are behind on electric, gas, heating fuel, water, or sewer bills in New Jersey, start with the DCAid portal and the NJ 211 Home Energy Assistance Hotline. One state application can screen many households for LIHEAP and USF. Other help may come from PAGE, Fresh Start, Weatherization, Comfort Partners, Winter Termination protections, payment plans, and utility-specific water programs.
Do not wait until the shutoff date. Call your utility, ask for a payment plan, apply for state aid, and save proof that you applied. If the utility will not work with you, contact the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities.
If a shutoff is close
Call the phone number on your utility bill today. Ask for a deferred payment plan, ask the account to be marked as pending assistance, and ask which shutoff protection applies to your household. Then call 2-1-1 or 800-510-3102. The HEA Hotline can help with the energy assistance application, status questions, and other utility needs.
If your service is already off, ask the utility what is needed to reconnect. NJBPU says some gas, electric, water, and wastewater customers may request reconnection once per year per service when they show proof of an assistance application and pay a required down payment. Check NJBPU programs before you agree to a plan you cannot afford.
Where to start in New Jersey
Start with the program that matches your problem. If your bill is high every month, USF may be more useful than a one-time grant. If you have a heating bill, LIHEAP may help. If you are over income for LIHEAP or still behind after state help, PAGE or a utility hardship fund may be the next step.
I have a shutoff notice
Call the utility first, then apply through DCAid. Ask about Winter Termination, a payment plan, and whether proof of application can stop or delay action.
My bill is too high
Apply for USF and ask about Comfort Partners or Weatherization to lower future usage. Budget billing may also help, but it does not erase debt.
I need water help
Ask NJ 211 and your water provider about water-specific funds. These programs vary by utility and funding can open or close.
Main utility help programs
New Jersey has several programs that sound similar, but they solve different problems. The table below shows the best first step for most single mothers.
| Program | What it helps with | Best first step | Reality check |
|---|---|---|---|
| LIHEAP | Heating costs, some medically necessary cooling, emergency fuel, and certain heating repairs. | Use the LIHEAP page or DCAid. | Applications for the 2026 season run from October 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026, while funds last. |
| USF | A monthly credit on eligible gas and electric bills. | Use the USF page or DCAid. | Your credit depends on income and energy burden. It may change if you move or your usage changes. |
| Fresh Start | Forgiveness of old gas or electric arrears for some USF customers. | Ask your utility after USF approval. | You do not apply separately. You must keep paying current charges to earn forgiveness. |
| PAGE | Supplemental help for gas and electric arrears. | Apply through SHARES programs. | Funding is limited. Many households must apply for LIHEAP or USF first. |
| Weatherization | Energy-saving repairs and improvements. | Contact your county agency through Weatherization. | It is not same-day bill help. It can lower bills over time. |
| Comfort Partners | No-cost energy-saving work for eligible customers. | Check Comfort Partners. | It depends on income, home needs, and utility participation. |
2026 income guide for LIHEAP, USF, and Weatherization
NJ 211 lists the FFY 2026 gross income limits for LIHEAP, USF, and Weatherization at 60% of the New Jersey State Median Income. Use this only as a starting point. The agency will decide eligibility after checking your full application.
| Household size | Monthly gross income | Annual gross income |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $4,167 | $50,005 |
| 2 | $5,449 | $65,392 |
| 3 | $6,732 | $80,778 |
| 4 | $8,014 | $96,165 |
| 5 | $9,296 | $111,551 |
Tip
Household size usually means everyone who lives with you and shares income or expenses. If your situation is not simple, such as shared housing, child support, zero income, or a utility bill in someone else’s name, call 2-1-1 before you submit.
How to apply without losing time
Use DCAid for the combined energy application and to check your status later. The portal says LIHEAP and USF are open for the 2026 season on a first-come, first-served basis, and Weatherization is open all year. If you cannot apply online, call 2-1-1 or 800-510-3102 and ask for your local application agency.
- Make a DCAid account or sign in as a returning applicant.
- Choose the utility assistance application.
- Upload all documents before submitting.
- Save the confirmation number or screenshot.
- Call your utility and give the confirmation number if you have a shutoff notice.
If you already get SNAP, TANF, SSI, PAAD, or other help, tell the worker. It may help them screen you for the right protections, but it does not always mean automatic approval.
LIHEAP, USF, and Fresh Start
LIHEAP
LIHEAP helps low-income New Jersey households with heating bills, medically necessary cooling costs, emergency fuel help, and certain heating system needs. Renters may still qualify if heating costs are included in non-subsidized rent. The benefit is not the same for every household because it depends on income, household size, fuel type, heating region, and funding.
USF
USF gives a monthly credit on eligible natural gas and electric bills. NJBPU says all income-eligible participants receive at least a $20 monthly credit, and the maximum combined gas and electric credit is $200 per month. USF is meant to make ongoing bills more affordable, not just handle one emergency.
Fresh Start
Fresh Start is tied to USF. Eligible USF gas and electric customers with overdue balances of $60 or more may be enrolled by their utility. NJBPU says each month you pay your current charges in full, one-twelfth of the Fresh Start overdue balance can be forgiven. You cannot apply for Fresh Start by itself.
PAGE and SHARES help
PAGE is for gas and electric bills when a household needs more help. NJBPU says households that are income eligible for USF should apply for USF first before using PAGE as supplemental help. PAGE is administered through SHARES and is subject to available funding.
SHARES may also connect households with other programs for energy, phone, internet, water, wastewater, rent, mortgage, or property tax bills. Ask which program fits your exact utility company and balance. Do not assume every SHARES program is open in every county or for every utility.
Shutoff protections in New Jersey
The Winter Termination Program protects certain residential customers from gas, electric, water, and wastewater shutoff between November 15 and March 15. This can include households receiving LIHEAP, USF, TANF, SSI, PAAD, General Assistance, Lifeline, certain water help, or households unable to pay because of hardship beyond their control. Read the Winter Termination rules and call your utility to request protection.
If someone in your home uses life-sustaining electric medical equipment, call the utility and ask about medical protection. You may need medical proof. If the utility does not respond, call NJBPU. If you need legal advice about a shutoff or landlord issue, start with LSNJ utilities or a local legal aid office.
Watch out
Shutoff protection is not the same as bill forgiveness. Keep paying what you can and keep copies of every payment, application, letter, email, and call note.
Water and sewer bill help
Water help in New Jersey can be confusing because some programs depend on your water company, municipality, and available funding. NJ 211 keeps a page for water bill help, including programs connected to New Jersey American Water, Aqua New Jersey, Veolia, and SHARES. Call your provider and ask if it has a customer assistance program, hardship fund, leak adjustment, payment plan, or medical protection.
If your water or sewer is with a town or local authority, NJBPU may not handle every complaint. Ask the town, municipal utility authority, or local water office what appeal or payment-plan process exists. If you are not sure who regulates the account, call 2-1-1 and ask where to start.
Documents to gather before you apply
Missing documents can slow down an application. Gather copies before you start, especially if your shutoff date is close.
| Document | Why it matters | Helpful note |
|---|---|---|
| Photo ID | Shows who is applying. | Ask 2-1-1 what to do if your ID is expired or lost. |
| Social Security numbers | Needed for some programs and household checks. | Rules vary by program. Ask before assuming you cannot apply. |
| Proof of income | Shows gross household income. | Use pay stubs, benefit letters, unemployment proof, or zero-income forms when allowed. |
| Utility bill | Shows the account, balance, and service address. | Upload the full bill, not only a screenshot of the balance. |
| Shutoff notice | Shows urgency. | Send it to the utility assistance agency and call the utility after applying. |
| Lease or rent proof | Helps if utilities are included in rent. | Ask for a tenant lease form if the portal requests one. |
Common mistakes that delay help
- Waiting until the shutoff day to call.
- Submitting a portal application without all documents.
- Not checking email or portal messages after applying.
- Ignoring a utility payment plan because you hope a grant will pay the full balance.
- Moving without telling the new utility that you had USF at the old address.
- Assuming water, gas, and electric programs all use the same rules.
If you are denied, delayed, or ignored
A denial does not always mean there is no help. Read the reason. It may be missing proof, income over the limit, a wrong account number, a lease issue, or a program that ran out of funds. Call 2-1-1 and ask what can be corrected. If a utility will not honor a payment plan, Fresh Start issue, reconnection rule, or shutoff protection, file a utility complaint with NJBPU after first trying the utility.
Backup options
Ask NJ 211 about local charities, churches, county human services, municipal funds, and Community Action agencies. Also check related help: bill help, emergency help, housing help, and job loss help.
Phone scripts you can use
Calling your utility
Hello, my name is ____. I am calling about account number ____. I have a shutoff notice or past-due balance. I am applying for LIHEAP, USF, or PAGE. Can you mark my account as pending assistance, explain any shutoff protection, and offer a payment plan I can keep?
Calling 2-1-1
Hello, I am a single parent in New Jersey and I need help with a utility bill. My shutoff date is ____. Can you help me with the LIHEAP/USF application, check if PAGE or water help is open, and tell me what documents I need?
Calling NJBPU
Hello, I tried to resolve a utility issue with my company, but I still need help. My service is at risk or already off. Can you explain my rights, payment-plan options, and how to file a complaint?
Calling legal aid
Hello, I need legal information about a utility shutoff or landlord utility problem. I have children in the home. Can you tell me if your office can help or where I should call next?
Resumen en español
Si necesita ayuda con luz, gas, calefacción, agua o alcantarillado en New Jersey, empiece con DCAid y llame al 2-1-1 o 800-510-3102. LIHEAP puede ayudar con calefacción y algunos gastos de enfriamiento médico. USF puede dar un crédito mensual en la factura de gas o electricidad. PAGE puede ayudar cuando todavÃa debe dinero o no califica para otros programas.
Si tiene aviso de corte, llame a la compañÃa de servicios públicos hoy. Pida un plan de pago, pregunte por protección contra corte, y guarde prueba de su solicitud. Si la compañÃa no coopera, llame a NJBPU al 800-624-0241.
FAQ
Can single mothers get utility assistance in New Jersey?
Yes. Single mothers can apply if the household meets the program rules. Approval depends on income, household size, utility account details, documents, program funding, and the type of bill.
What is the fastest way to apply?
The fastest starting point for many households is the online DCAid application. If you cannot use the portal or have a shutoff notice, call 2-1-1 or 800-510-3102 for help.
Can LIHEAP help if heat is included in rent?
Sometimes. New Jersey says renters may qualify when heating costs are included in non-subsidized rent. You may need lease proof or a tenant form.
Does USF erase old utility debt?
USF is a monthly credit. Fresh Start may forgive old gas or electric arrears for eligible USF customers if they pay current monthly charges as required.
What if my water bill is the problem?
Ask NJ 211 and your water provider about current water assistance, hardship funds, payment plans, and Winter Termination protections. Water programs can vary by provider and funding.
Who do I call if the utility will not help?
Call the utility first and write down what happened. If the problem is still not fixed, contact the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities at 800-624-0241 or file a complaint online.
About this guide
This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources mentioned in the article.
A Single Mother is independent and is not a government agency, benefits office, lender, law firm, medical provider, or tax advisor.
Program rules, funding, local availability, and eligibility can change. Always confirm details with the official program before you apply or make decisions.
Verification: Last verified May 20, 2026, next review August 20, 2026.
Corrections: If you see something wrong or outdated, email suggestions@asinglemother.org.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. It is not legal, financial, medical, tax, immigration, disability, safety, or government-agency advice.