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What we found for New Jersey heating help
Each card names the official page we read on October 21, 2026. Dollar amounts are the state's own; anything it does not publish, we do not show.
LIHEAP heating benefit
Set by income, household size, fuel type and heating region. Helps with home heating costs and medically necessary cooling.
Medically necessary cooling
The cooling benefit for fiscal year 2027, for households that need cooling for medical reasons.
The dates
The Department of Community Affairs announced on October 2, 2026 that the federal fiscal year 2027 LIHEAP period opened on October 1, 2026 and runs through June 30, 2027. Applications are processed first come, first served while funding is available, so the state asks eligible people to apply as soon as they can.
Who qualifies
Your household must be responsible for home heating or cooling costs, either directly or as part of its rent, and have gross income at or below 60 percent of State Median Income. The yearly limits are $51,273 for one person, $67,049 for two, $82,825 for three, $98,602 for four, $114,378 for five and $130,154 for six. The state lists limits up to twelve people. For each person beyond twelve, add $2,952.
Two programs, one form
The Universal Service Fund, called USF, helps make natural gas and electric bills more affordable for low-income households. The LIHEAP application also works as the USF application, so you apply once for both. Ask about USF even if you are not sure you will get LIHEAP.
How to apply
Apply online at energyassistance.nj.gov or contact the local agency in your county. People who are 60 or older or who have a disability can apply by mail or ask for a home visit. Other households may apply by mail at the local agency's discretion. For help finding an agency, call 1-800-510-3102.
What we could not confirm
The release says the heating benefit depends on income, household size, fuel type and region, but it does not print the dollar amounts, so we do not show a heating figure. Use the state or your agency for your estimate.
Beyond bill help
LIHEAP pays bills, but many New Jersey homes lose heat through poor insulation. See the New Jersey pages below for appliance and thermostat rebates that cut use for years.
When money runs out
The state says applications are processed first come, first served while funding is available. That means a household that applies in November may be treated differently from one that applies in May. The state says it encourages people not to wait. If you meet the income rules, apply now and keep your confirmation.
Cooling help matters here too
New Jersey is one of the few states that lists a cooling benefit in the same release. It is $300 for medically necessary cooling, which means someone in your home needs cooling for health reasons. Ask your agency what medical paperwork they want.
Ask for it in writing
When an agency approves or denies you, ask for the decision in writing and keep it with your bills. If you are approved, ask which utility accounts the credit will go to and when it should appear, so you can spot a missing payment early.
What to do in New Jersey this winter
- Check your annual income against the limit for your household size.
- Apply online at energyassistance.nj.gov, or call 1-800-510-3102 for your county agency.
- Do not wait: funds run out and applications are first come, first served.
- Ask about the $300 cooling benefit if someone in the home needs cooling for health.
- Look at efficiency rebates to cut next year's bill.
More for New Jersey homes
- New Jersey home rebates: every program in one place
- New Jersey appliance rebates: efficient replacements
- New Jersey smart thermostat rebates: lower heating use
- Heating bill help in every state and province: all programs, dates and amounts
Common questions
When can I apply for LIHEAP in New Jersey?
Applications opened October 1, 2026 and run through June 30, 2027, while funding is available.
What is the income limit for New Jersey LIHEAP?
Gross household income must be at or below 60 percent of State Median Income, for example $51,273 a year for one person and $98,602 for four.
Do I apply separately for the Universal Service Fund?
No. The LIHEAP application also serves as the application for USF.
How much is the cooling benefit?
The medically necessary cooling benefit for fiscal year 2027 is $300.
By Sam Menard. Sources, last read October 21, 2026: New Jersey DCA: LIHEAP application period now open, LIHEAP Clearinghouse (HHS), U.S. HHS ACF: LIHEAP.
