USF is a program created by the State of New Jersey to help make natural gas and electric bills more affordable for low-income households. If you are eligible, USF can lower the amount you pay for gas and electricity.

Eligibility Requirements:

• To be eligible, a household gross income must be at or below 175% of the Federal Poverty Level, and pay more than 3% of its annual income for electric, or more than 3% for natural gas. If a household has electric heat, it must spend more than 6% of its annual income on electricity to be eligible.

USF Monthly Pre-tax Income Limits 11/1/2011—04/30/2012

Note: To determine eligibility for household sizes greater than 12, add $557 for each additional member.

Important Facts

• The amount of the USF heating benefit is determined by income, household size, fuel type, and heating region.
• The medically necessary cooling assistance benefit is set at $160, which does not affect the USFassistance.
• An eligible household that heats with natural gas or electricity will have its benefits directly forwarded to its utility company.
• In some cases eligible households directly responsible to a fuel supplier for payment of home heating costs may receive a two-party check in the name of the applicant and the fuel supplier.
• Households whose heating costs are included in their rent receive a single party check made out to the eligible applicant. A household receiving medically necessary cooling benefits also receives a single party check.
• The FFY 2012  USFapplication is also an application for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). You apply for two benefit programs at the same time using one application

Hours of Operation

317 Roseville Avenue, Newark, NJ 07107

• Monday, Tuesday, Thursday (9 am – 4pm)
• Wednesday (9 am – 7 pm)
• Closed on Fridays
• Open Every 2^nd Saturday of each month (9 am – 1pm)

Participants should anticipate a 2-hour waiting period.

Satellite Offices

I. PSE&G, Newark

80 Park Plaza, Newark, NJ

• Monday – Friday (9am -4pm)

No telephone calls accepted at this location.-Limited to 50 clients per day-First come, first serve basis

II. PSE&G, West Orange

59 Main Street, West Orange, NJ

Monday – Friday (9am – 4pm)

No telephone calls accepted at this location.  Limited to 50 clients per day-First come, first serve basis

III. 600 Central Avenue, East Orange, NJ

Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays (9am – 5pm)

Wednesdays (9am – 7pm)

*** IMPORTANT***

The 2011-12 Energy Season begins November 1st, 2011.