NEWARK, N.J., Jan. 31, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- PSE&G is reminding customers there is help to pay their winter heating bills. Those who recently lost their jobs, or are now working fewer hours because of the economic downturn, may now qualify for assistance programs.

The federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) has allocated $175 million to New Jersey to help low income households pay their winter heating bills. Individuals and families may now apply; applications will be accepted until April 30, 2011. Those who received LIHEAP benefits last year are urged to complete the recertification application to ensure they receive benefits this year as well.

During this period of major economic uncertainty, we expect that many more households will be able to participate in the program for the first time.

"We know there are many families who are not aware of the LIHEAP program," said Joseph A. Forline, PSE&G's vice president for customer operations. "LIHEAP benefits are based on last month's income, so people who were not qualified before might now be able to take advantage of these essential benefits. We are partnering with state government and community based organizations in an extensive effort to ensure that much needed assistance reaches every eligible person."

New Jersey's LIHEAP program ranks sixth in the nation in terms of dollars available to help at-risk utility customers. LIHEAP income eligibility levels are at 200 percent of the federal poverty level. That means a family of four with a monthly income at or below $3,675 may be eligible.

The chart below provides income eligibility information. 


                    LIHEAP INCOME GUIDELINES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2011
                     Monthly Gross                            Monthly Gross
    Household Size      Income            Household Size          Income
             1                                                     $5,545
                         $1,805                 7

             2                                                     $6,169
                         $2,429                 8


             3                                                     $6,792
                         $3,052                 9


             4                                                     $7,415
                         $3,675                 10


             5                                                     $7,532
                         $4,299                 11


             6                                                     $7,686
                         $4,922                 12


    To determine eligibility for household sizes greater than 12,  
     add $154 for each additional member.
    ------------------------------------

PSE&G customers can pick up an application at one of PSE&G's 16 customer service centers. Locations and hours are listed on customer bills. In addition, representatives from state designated LIHEAP agencies are available at the following centers to help income-eligible people complete the applications. 


    Bergen County
    -------------
    Bergen County CAP at PSE&G Hackensack Customer Service Center
    214 Hudson Street, Hackensack, NJ 07601
    Monday -Thursday, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

    Essex County
    ------------
    La Casa de Don Pedro at PSE&G Newark Customer Service Center
    80 Park Plaza, Newark, NJ 07102
    Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
    La Casa de Don Pedro at PSE&G West Orange Customer Service Center
    59 Main Street, West Orange, NJ 07052
    Monday-Friday  9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

    Hudson County
    -------------
    P.A.C.O. at PSE&G Jersey City Customer Service Center
    3 PATH Plaza, Jersey City, NJ 07306
    Monday-Thursday 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

    Middlesex County
    ----------------
    Puerto Rican Action Board at PSE&G New Brunswick Customer Service
     Center
    1 Penn Plaza, Albany & French Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
    Fridays, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

PSE&G households may also be eligible for other valuable assistance programs. Applications and information about these programs are available on PSE&G's bilingual Web site www.pseg.com/help or www.pseg.com/ayuda. Information can also be found by calling the LIHEAP Hot Line at 1-800-510-3102 Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G) is New Jersey's oldest and largest regulated gas and electric delivery utility, serving nearly three-quarters of the state's population. PSE&G is the winner of the ReliabilityOne Award for superior electric system reliability. PSE&G is a subsidiary of Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated (PSEG) (NYSE: PEG), a diversified energy company (www.pseg.com).

Want to know what's new at PSEG? Go to www.pseg.com/getnews and sign up to have our press releases and weekly environmental commentaries sent right to your inbox.

SOURCE Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G)