New Jersey State Public Benefit Funds for Rate Assistance
- Utility restructuring
legislation established a nonlapsing Universal Service Fund.
In March 2003, The Board approved a statewide permanent Universal
Service Fund to assist low-income customers who heat their
homes with electricity and gas through a fixed credit percentage
of income payment plan under which participants will be required
to pay no more than six percent of their annual income toward
electric and gas bills. The permanent USF got underway late in
2003. The FY2006 program includes $111.2 million for USF
benefits; $11.7 million for the USF Fresh Start program, which helps USF
customers pay off their arrearages and $70 million for the Lifeline Assistance Program that provides a heating assistance benefit to elderly and disabled citizens.
LEVERAGING
Universal Service Fund
2006: $122.9 million
2005: $110.8 million
2004: $142.9 million (includes Lifeline)
2002: $11.8 million
Lifeline Assistance Program
2006: $70 million
2005: $71.1 million
2003: $70.8 million
2002: $71.9 million
2001: $71.6 million
2000: $70.8 million
1999: $70.3 million
1998: $70.8 million
1997: $69.9 million
1996: $72.3 million
1995: $72.7 million
1994: $72.5 million
1993: $65.7 million
1992: $64.5 million
1991: $59.9 million
LEGISLATIVE CODE
New Jersey Statutes, Title 48, 2-29.16
Page Last Updated: September 11, 2007