Murphy administration urges nj residents to apply for home energy assistance before deadline

TRENTON, NJ – The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) is issuing a final reminder for residents to apply for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) before the application period ends on June 30, 2024. DCA Commissioner Jacquelyn A. Suárez emphasized the importance of this program, which helps low-income families manage the costs of winter heating and medically necessary cooling.

LIHEAP offers not only regular assistance but also emergency benefits for those who have received shut-off notices or are unable to pay for essential heating fuels like oil. Applications are currently open and can be accessed online at www.energyassistance.nj.gov or through local community agencies.

“The assistance provided by LIHEAP is critical for thousands of New Jersey households struggling to cover home energy costs,” Commissioner Suárez stated. This aid allows recipients to allocate their financial resources to other vital needs like food and housing. Residents in need, particularly those who haven’t applied this season, are urged to meet the June 30 deadline to secure their benefits.

The LIHEAP program also doubles as an application for the Universal Service Fund (USF), which assists with electric and natural gas bills for low-income families. Eligibility for both programs requires a household income at or below 60% of the State Median Income, with additional spending thresholds for energy costs.

For further details on LIHEAP and USF, including how to apply, residents can visit the LIHEAP website or call the helpline at 1-800-510-3102.

Phil Stilton Latest posts

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.