Common Program Questions - How to Apply for LIHEAP and Other Utility Bill Assistance

Sep 19, 2026

FAQ汇总了用于按月支付水电/燃气账单的项目说明与申请指引，重点覆盖Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program（LIHEAP）及Universal Service Fund（USF）。内容阐明资格条件、可接受的取暖燃料类型、申请流程与可用设备（手机/电脑）、申请材料与上传方式，以及申请后处理时长与福利到账时间。另含登录与账户信息找回、资格与收入/租约/抚养费等信息填报规则，并解释搬家、配偶过世或离异情况下的材料更新与转移申请要求。

LanguageEnglish

CategoryForms

FormatPDF

Pages9

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Common Program Questions

LIHEAP and USF overview

Eligibility requirements and income information

How to apply and upload documentation

Recertification and account updates

Common Program Questions What programs are available to assist me with monthly utility bills? What is the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)? Who is eligible for LIHEAP? My primary heating fuel is not electric or natural gas (i.e., oil, wood). Can I still apply? How do I apply? Can I apply using my smart phone? Which household members should I include on my application? How long will it take to process my application? When will I get my benefits? Should I pay my bill or wait until I get my benefits? How long does it take for benefits credits to show on my account? What happens if I move while receiving benefits? If my spouse has passed away or we are now divorced (and the spouse was the applicant), what documents can I provide to transfer the application to myself? How do I upload documentation? I submitted my application, but I want to make some changes, or upload additional documentation. What can I do so can update my application? I do not have a computer, a mobile device, or internet access. I am not able to fill out the application on my own. Login Credentials How do I access my application? I don’t know my login credentials. How do I reset myNJ password? How do I get my Login ID? I forgot it. I still need help logging in. Citizenship Requirements What are the program rules related to citizenship? Income Information How do I provide my income information? Do food stamps count as income/TANF? Additional Names on Lease/Mortgage or Utility Bill? Does child support count as income? Is the Child tax credit reported as income? Is the child tax credit considered income? How do I qualify for recertification? How are benefits calculated? Common Program Questions What programs are available to assist me with monthly utility bills? • Universal Service Fund (USF): Provides a monthly credit on gas and electric bills for income eligible customers (example: up to $96,165 annual income for a family of four) . USF also offers energy debt forgiveness through the USF-Fresh Start program. As long asthe household pays their current monthly charges in full for one year, old overdue balances are forgiven through Fresh Start. See income limits here: Review the Energy Assistance Program Fact Sheet and Income Guidelines. • Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): Helps income eligible residents (example: up to $96,165 annual income for a family of four) with their heating and cooling bills and makes provisions for emergency heating system services and emergency fuel assistance within the Home Energy Assistance Program. See income limits here: Review the Energy Assistance Program Fact Sheet and Income Guidelines. • If you are not sure if you are enrolled in any of these programs, you can log in to the DCA Service Portal using this link – click the Login with myNJ button: [o ](o dcaid.dca.nj.gov)[ dcaid.dca.nj.gov](o dcaid.dca.nj.gov) o Scroll down. Check the UAP Applications section for any current applications. You may see older applications in separate sections for each program. What is the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)? • LIHEAP helps income eligible residents (example: up to $96,165 annual income for a family of four) with their heating and cooling bills and makes provisions for emergency heating system services and emergency fuel assistance within the Home Energy Assistance Program. See income limits here: Review the Energy Assistance Program Fact Sheet and Income Guidelines. Who is eligible for LIHEAP? • 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. LIHEAP is not available for business accounts, estates, or property management companies. Income eligibility limits available here: Review the Energy Assistance Program Fact Sheet and Income Guidelines. • Persons who live in public housing and/or rece

FAQs

What programs are available to assist me with monthly utility bills?

The document lists Universal Service Fund (USF) and the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) as programs that may provide monthly credits and help with heating and cooling bills, including emergency assistance in LIHEAP.

Who is eligible for LIHEAP?

Eligibility requires the applicant household to be responsible for home heating or cooling costs, either directly or included in the rent. It also states LIHEAP is not available for business accounts, estates, or property management companies, and certain public housing or rental assistance situations require paying heating costs directly to the fuel supplier.

How do I apply and can I apply using a smart phone?

Applicants can navigate to the DCAid Service Portal to begin an application. The document states you can apply using a mobile device such as a smart phone or tablet, or apply on a computer/laptop, then complete the Program Qualifications card first and proceed to Program Applications to submit.

Sep 19, 2026

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