RELEASE: March 30 , 2004

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Deadline Extended for Low-Income Heating Assistance

The deadline to apply for grants under the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) has been extended from March 31 to May 1, Acting Human Services Commissioner James Davy announced today.

“The federal government released an additional $9.5 million in funding for New Jersey, so we felt more low-income families should have an opportunity to take advantage of the program,” Davy said. “Winter may be behind us, but many individuals and working families are still struggling with leftover bills.”

“Given the long, harsh winter, we are particularly pleased that more of New Jersey’s low-income families will be able to avail themselves of this program,” said Governor James E. McGreevey. “We have an obligation to help working families make ends meet and through programs like LIHEAP, we are fulfilling that commitment.”

The additional $9.5 million will be available to serve new applicants, households seeking medically necessary cooling assistance, and those who need emergency assistance. Households that pay directly for heating costs and receive LIHEAP benefits this year will receive a supplemental benefit of $50.

LIHEAP is a federally funded program administered jointly by DHS and the Department of Community Affairs to subsidize heating costs every winter for low-income households. Households with incomes up to 175 percent of the Federal Poverty Level are generally eligible for LIHEAP. That amounts to annual income of $21,210 for a two-member household and $26,705 for a household of three.

Last year, 151,333 households in New Jersey received an average benefit of $338 from the program. For information on where to apply, call 1-800-510-3102.

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