WALL – Throughout September, New Jersey Natural Gas (NJNG) is hosting its annual Energy Assistance Days in Monmouth County.
Energy costs can add a significant burden to family budgets. Whether a family or an individual is on a limited income or faced with unanticipated financial hardship, there are energy assistance and home energy-improvement programs available.
Representatives from NJNG and state-designated agencies will team with community members to determine which programs best fit people’s needs and assist with the application process.
Participants must provide proof of identification, proof of income, proof of home ownership or rental agreement and recent copies of both natural gas and electric utility bills to qualify and apply for energy-assistance programs.
The federally funded Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) will begin Oct. 1 accepting applications for the 2014-2015 heating season. LIHEAP and the state’s Universal Service Fund (USF) help income-eligible households meet home heating and medically necessary cooling costs.
Moreover, NJNG’s Gift of Warmth fund – along with the state-sponsored Payment Assistance Gas and Electric and NJ SHARES programs – provide energy assistance to households that exceed LIHEAP and USF income thresholds but are experiencing temporary or unanticipated financial hardship. Households also may qualify for other energy assistance or home energy-improvement programs that help reduce energy costs.
Seven Engery Assistance Days are planned. They are:
- From 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17 at the Long Branch Library, 328 Broadway
- From 9:30 .m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18, at the Asbury Park Municipal Building, One Municipal Plaza
- From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19, at the Eatontown SCAN Adult Education Center at Monmouth Mall, 180 Highway 35 south
- From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 22, at the Union Beach Municipal Building’s council chambers, 680 Poole Ave.
- From 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25, at Monmouth County Connection, 3544 State Highway 66, Neptune
- From 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26, at the Bayshore Senior Center, 100 Main St., Keansburg
- From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 2, at the Howell Municipal Building’s second floor meeting room, 4567 Route 9 north
Additional information is available by contacting NJNG’s energy assistance specialists by calling 800-221-0051 or emailing energyassist@njng.com.
