Governor Corzine Announces $17.6 Million in Home Energy Assistance

 Over 118,000 Households in New Jersey to Receive LIHEAP Assistance

TRENTON, N.J. – Governor Jon S. Corzine today announced that $17.6 million in Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) benefits will be given out to over 118,000 households in New Jersey this summer.

“Having sufficient energy resources is essential to maintaining an acceptable quality of life for many low income New Jersey families,” said Governor Corzine.  “Programs like LIHEAP make certain that those in need get the assistance they require.”

9,235 households heated by deliverable fuel will receive $400 per household.  99,349 households heated by gas or electricity will receive $100 per household.  Many of these households receive Universal Service Fund benefits as well.  The first supplemental checks were sent out over the past week to current LIHEAP recipients.  A second round of checks will be sent out later this summer to the approximately 23,126 LIHEAP recipients whose applications are currently in process.

"Governor Corzine's direction and leadership on this issue has ensured that people will receive the home heating assistance they need,” said Department of Community Affairs’ (DCA) Commissioner Susan Bass Levin. "The Governor and DCA’s proactive stance to enhance awareness of LIHEAP has resulted in thousands of people taking advantage of this program."

LIHEAP provides low-income households with money to help pay their winter heating bills.

LIHEAP funding is administered through the DCA’s Division of Community Resources.

For further information on LIHEAP and USF, call toll-free: 1-800-510-3102, or log on to http://www.nj.gov/dca/dcr/hea/index.shtml.