Community Resource

Low Income Heat and Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

(800) 510-3102
Hackensack

Low Income Heat and Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

Greater Bergen Community Action is an Application Agency for the Bergen County Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the Universal Assistance Fund (USF). Through this, low-income individuals and families can receive financial assistance and government grants to help pay high-energy bills. Check your eligibility.

Assistance is provided on a first-come, first-served basis so applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as they are eligible. If you are eligible to receive assistance for cooling costs you should apply for this benefit at the same time that you apply for help with heating costs.

To be eligible for LIHEAP benefits, the applicant household must be responsible for home heating or cooling costs, with payments made either directly to the utility company or included in the rent; and have a gross income that falls at or below 60%  of the NJ State Median Income level. The table below gives specific gross income maximums for FFY 2022.

Those who live in public housing and/or receive rental assistance are not eligible unless they pay for their 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. The medically necessary cooling assistance benefit is set at $200, which is applied as a direct credit to an active electric account or issued as a single party check to the client.

An eligible household that heats with natural gas or electricity may have its benefits directly forwarded to its utility company. Eligible households heating with oil, propane, or kerosene receive a two-party check in the name of the client and the fuel supplier. Households whose heating costs are included in their non-subsidized rent receive a single party check made out to the eligible client. A household receiving medically necessary cooling benefits also receives a single party check.

Maximum MONTHLY GROSS Income Eligibility Guidelines

Household Size LIHEAP Program
1 $3,348
2 $4,379
3 $5,409
4 $6,439
5 $7,470
6 $8,500
7 $8,693
8 $8,886
9 $9,080
10 $9,273
11 $9,466
12 $9,659
For Each Additional Person add $193

Age Groups
  • Children
  • Adolescents
  • Adults
  • Seniors
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Last Updated: 05/05/22