Low Income Heat and Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
(800) 510-3102
Hackensack
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 |
| Event Type |
|
| Age Groups |
|
| Community Services |
Basic Needs / AssistanceCommunityFamily & Support Services |
| Health Services |
Medical |
Last Updated: 05/05/22
Greater Bergen Community Action (GBCA)
Greater Bergen Community Action is a 501(c) (3), not-for-profit Community Action Agency. Established in 1967, Greater Bergen is part of a nationwide network of poverty-fighting enterprises which were established as part of the nation’s effort to address the intractable and persistent problem of poverty in America.
NJ Department of Community Affairs
Low Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) - Helps very low-income residents with their heating and cooling bills.
Low Income Home Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP)
LIHWAP is a federally funded program designed to help low-income households reduce the balances they have on their residential water and wastewater bills. Funds will be provided directly to the water and wastewater companies, on behalf of the residential customer.