LOW
INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LIHEAP)
and
UNIVERSAL
SERVICE FUND (USF)
FFY
2009 FACT SHEET
The
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is designed
to help low-income families and individuals meet home heating
and medically necessary cooling costs. This year, the application
period is November 1, 2008 to April 30, 2009. To apply for
LIHEAP, contact the authorized local community action agency
or community based organization in your area. A list of these
agencies is enclosed. For persons age 60 or over, or who are
disabled, applications may be received and returned by mail.
Other households may apply by mail at the discretion of the
local agency.
To
be eligible for LIHEAP benefits, the applicant household must
be responsible for home heating or cooling costs, either directly
or included in the rent; and have gross income at or below
225% of the federal poverty level. The chart below gives specific
monthly gross income maximums for FFY 2009. Persons who live
in public housing and/or receive rental assistance are not
eligible unless they pay for their own heating/cooling costs
directly to the fuel supplier. The amount of the LIHEAP heating
benefit is determined by income, household size, fuel type,
and heating region. This year, the medically necessary cooling
assistance benefit is set at $200.
An
eligible household that heats with natural gas or electricity
may have its benefits directly forwarded to its utility company.
Otherwise, in most cases eligible households directly responsible
to a fuel supplier for payment of home heating costs 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.
Please
Note: The FFY 2009 LIHEAP application is also an
application for the Universal Service Fund Program (USF).
You apply for two benefit programs at the same time. 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. To be eligible, a household
gross income must be at or below 175% of the Federal Poverty
Level, (please refer to income guidelines listed below), 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. For more information about USF, call: 1-866-240-1347.
For
further information on LIHEAP or to locate the nearest application
agency, call 1-800-510-3102. Additional information about
LIHEAP and USF, including an application, is also available
at www.energyassistance.nj.gov.
LIHEAP/WAP
MAXIMUM
MONTHLY GROSS INCOME ELIGIBILITY LEVELS - FFY 2009
Household
Size |
Monthly
Gross Income |
1 |
$1,950 |
2 |
$2,625 |
3 |
$3,300 |
4 |
$3,975 |
5 |
$4,650 |
6 |
$5,325 |
7 |
$6,000 |
8 |
$6,675 |
9 |
$7,350 |
10 |
$8,025 |
11 |
$8,677
|
12 |
$8,854
|
Note:
To determine eligibility for household sizes greater than
12, add $177 for each additional member.
***********
USF
MAXIMUM
MONTHLY GROSS INCOME ELIGIBILITY LEVELS - FFY 2009
Household
Size |
Monthly
Gross Income |
1 |
$1,517 |
2 |
$2,042 |
3 |
$2,567 |
4 |
$3,092 |
5 |
$3,617 |
6 |
$4,142 |
7 |
$4,667 |
8 |
$5,192 |
9 |
$5,717 |
10 |
$6,242 |
11 |
$6,767 |
12 |
$7,292 |
Note:
To determine eligibility for household sizes greater than
12, add $525 for each additional member.
|