USF

The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities created the Universal Service Fund program to help low-income households pay for electric and natural gas service. Under the USF, eligible New Jersey customers pay no more than 6% of their income for their natural gas and electric service combined. The USF program is administered by the New Jersey Department of Human Services.

To be eligible for USF you must meet two qualifications:

1) you must have a total household income that is equal to or less than 175% of the Federal Poverty Level; and

2) you must pay more than 3% of your income on electric bills or more than 3% of your income on your gas bill. If you have electric heat in your home you must pay more than 6% of your income on electricity.

USF recipients must reside at the address provided under their utility account, and USF benefits will only be offered to the person/head of household listed on the utility account.

The maximum total annual USF benefit for any given household is $1,800.

For more information about USF, please click here.

Contact information for USF

• USF/LIHEAP Hotline: 1-866-240-1347
• For out-of-state callers: 1-609-826-4780