New Jersey LIHEAP — called “HEA” (Home Energy Assistance) in DCA materials — helps low-income households pay heating, medically necessary cooling, and utility costs through the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA), Division of Housing and Community Resources.
New Jersey’s program is notable for its integrated design: one application simultaneously screens for LIHEAP/HEA, the Universal Service Fund (USF), and Weatherization Assistance. A single completed application can unlock all three programs at once.
New Jersey also has a mandatory Winter Termination Program: utility companies are prohibited from disconnecting LIHEAP and USF recipients from November 15 through March 15 for non-payment.
What Does New Jersey LIHEAP / HEA Cover?
Heating Assistance (LIHEAP/HEA) — an annual one-time payment toward residential heating costs, applied as a credit to the utility account. Benefit range: $118 minimum to $1,278 maximum for FY 2026. The benefit amount varies based on income, household size, fuel type, and heating region. Program period: October 1 through June 30.
Covers: natural gas, electricity, heating oil, propane, kerosene, and fuels included in rent.
Medically Necessary Cooling Assistance — a one-time cooling benefit for households with a medically documented need for cooling. Benefit: $300 for FY 2026, issued as a direct credit to an active electric account (or a one-party check if no electric account in the system). Apply at the same time as heating assistance — apply for both simultaneously.
Winter Crisis Assistance — emergency help when a heating emergency arises. Maximum: $800. Available October 1 through June 30. Requires a shutoff notice or documented emergency. For the 2026 season, emergency assistance funds are available March 15 through June 30, 2026 while funds last.
Universal Service Fund (USF) — a New Jersey state-funded program providing monthly credits on electric and gas bills. USF is jointly administered by DCA and uses the same 60% SMI income threshold as LIHEAP. One application covers both LIHEAP and USF simultaneously:
- Monthly credit on electric and/or gas bills — at least $5/month; up to $200/month depending on estimated annual utility use
- Larger credits for households spending more than 2% of annual income on electric or natural gas; or more than 4% on all-electric heat
- USF is available to customers of seven regulated utilities: NJ Natural Gas, Elizabethtown Gas, South Jersey Gas, PSE&G, Rockland Electric, JCP&L, and Atlantic City Electric
- USF Fresh Start — first-time USF recipients with a past-due balance of $60 or more may automatically be enrolled; after one year of on-time payments, past-due balances of $60+ are forgiven (once every five years per the NJ Board of Public Utilities rules; 2026 DCA press release says once every five years)
Weatherization Assistance — free home energy efficiency upgrades. Maximum: $13,497. Same 60% SMI income threshold. Administered through the same DCA application network.
Lifeline Assistance Program — a New Jersey state program providing a $225 annual credit on electric or natural gas bills for disabled and senior homeowners and tenants. Funded from the NJ general fund. Beneficiaries of Medical Assistance to the Aged, Medical Assistance Only, or NJ Care receive automatic Lifeline applications each August.
NJ SHARES (Statewide Heating Assistance and Referral for Energy Services) — a year-round independent emergency energy fund for households not eligible for other programs. Statewide, non-welfare program. Contact through 211 or energyassistance.nj.gov.
New Jersey HEA/USF Income Limits 2026
New Jersey uses 60% of State Median Income (SMI) for both LIHEAP/HEA and USF. The FY 2025 income table — the most recently published official table from DCA’s USFHEA Fact Sheet — is:
| Household Size | Monthly Gross Income Limit | Annual Gross Income Limit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3,991 | $47,896 |
| 2 | $5,219 | $62,633 |
| 3 | $6,448 | $77,370 |
| 4 | $7,676 | $92,108 |
| 5 | $8,904 | $106,845 |
| 6 | $10,132 | $121,582 |
| 7 | $10,362 | $124,345 |
| 8 | $10,592 | $127,109 |
| 9 | $10,823 | $129,872 |
| 10 | $11,053 | $132,635 |
| 11 | $11,283 | $135,398 |
| 12 | $11,514 | $138,162 |
| Each additional | +$231/month | +$2,763/year |
Published by NJ DCA in the FY 2025 USFHEA Fact Sheet; the FY 2026 table may be slightly higher. Confirm current 2026 figures at energyassistance.nj.gov or by calling 800-510-3102.
For a national comparison of LIHEAP income thresholds, see the LIHEAP eligibility guide.
No asset limit: New Jersey HEA/USF has no asset test.
Categorical eligibility: Households receiving SNAP, TANF, or Medicaid are automatically deemed categorically eligible for LIHEAP. NJ DHS transmits this information to the DCA LIHEAP program — eligible households who receive these benefits may receive assistance without a separate income verification step, though additional documentation may be needed in some cases.
Public housing residents NOT eligible: Households in public housing or receiving rental assistance are not eligible for LIHEAP/HEA heating assistance — unless they pay their heating or cooling costs directly to the fuel supplier rather than through rent.
Program Year: October 1 Through June 30
| Program | Dates |
|---|---|
| HEA Heating & Medically Necessary Cooling | October 1 – June 30 |
| Winter Crisis | October 1 – June 30 (emergency funds March 15–June 30) |
| Weatherization | October 1 – June 30 |
| USF (monthly credit) | Year-round (after initial enrollment) |
Applications are first-come, first-served. Apply as early as possible — funding may run out before June 30.
Who Qualifies for New Jersey HEA / LIHEAP
To be eligible:
- New Jersey residency as primary dwelling
- Income at or below 60% NJ SMI (see table above, or categorically eligible through SNAP/TANF/Medicaid)
- Responsibility for home heating or cooling costs — either paid directly to the utility or included in the rental agreement
- Not in public housing or receiving rental assistance (unless paying heating costs directly to fuel supplier)
- SSN: At least one household member must have a Social Security number — undocumented households without SSNs may apply for USF only (see USF-only eligibility rules at energyassistance.nj.gov)
60-day processing: Applications are processed approximately 60 days after submission. Incomplete applications significantly delay processing.
How to Apply for New Jersey HEA / LIHEAP
Step 1 — Apply Online at DCAid (Fastest)
Online: Apply at dcaid.dca.nj.gov — New Jersey’s DCA self-service portal. The DCAid portal screens for multiple programs simultaneously and is available 24/7. The online application at energyassistance.nj.gov also links directly to DCAid. For a general process overview, see how to apply for LIHEAP.
Check application status (after applying online): Sign in at dcaid.dca.nj.gov as a Returning Applicant to view your status. See also how to check your LIHEAP application status.
Phone: Call 1-800-510-3102 or dial 211 (the HEA Hotline, available Monday–Friday 8 AM–8 PM) to speak with a hotline specialist or be directed to a community action agency. New Jersey’s LIHEAP hotline contact is in the LIHEAP phone number directory.
In person: Contact a local community action agency or community-based organization (CBO) partnering with DCA. A list of agencies is at nj.gov/dca/divisions/dhcr/offices/agencydirectorylist.html.
Step 2 — One Application for LIHEAP, USF, and Weatherization
New Jersey uses a single combined application for HEA/LIHEAP, USF, and Weatherization. Complete it carefully — incomplete applications are the primary source of processing delays.
- Mark that you are applying for both LIHEAP and USF
- If you are seeking medically necessary cooling assistance, apply at the same time as heating assistance
- If you have a past-due utility balance, indicate this — you may be enrolled in USF Fresh Start
Step 3 — Required Documents
- Proof of identity and residency
- Social Security numbers for all household members
- Proof of 4 consecutive weeks of income within the last 3 months — pay stubs, Social Security/SSI award letters, SNAP/TANF/Medicaid benefit letters
- Disconnection notice (for crisis assistance)
- Most recent utility bill for each fuel type (gas, electric, oil/propane if applicable)
- For undocumented households seeking USF only: contact your CAA for specific document requirements
Step 4 — After Approval
- LIHEAP/HEA heating: credit applied to your utility account (natural gas or electric) or you may receive a check for deliverable fuels
- USF: monthly credit appears on your utility bill automatically
- Contact your utility about payment plans in the meantime — make good-faith payments to avoid additional shutoff fees during processing
Winter Termination Program — Shutoff Protection
New Jersey law requires utility companies to not disconnect customers who are enrolled in LIHEAP or USF from November 15 through March 15 for non-payment. This protection applies automatically to approved LIHEAP/USF recipients. Contact your utility company if you receive a shutoff notice during this period and you are enrolled in LIHEAP or USF.
New Jersey HEA Funding 2026
New Jersey received $134,638,747 in federal LIHEAP funding for FY 2026, including an additional $3,548,829 from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. In FY 2024, New Jersey served 237,983 heating households, 45,624 cooling households, 19,211 winter crisis households, and 675 weatherization projects. Browse LIHEAP funding by state to compare New Jersey with other states.
Additional Resources for New Jersey Families
New Jersey SNAP: Check New Jersey SNAP income limits and see how to apply for SNAP in New Jersey.
New Jersey Medicaid: Check New Jersey Medicaid eligibility and income limits.
WIC: For families with a pregnant woman, breastfeeding mother, or child under 5. Check New Jersey WIC income eligibility.
211: Dial 211 for referrals to local energy assistance, food, housing, and other programs across New Jersey.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is HEA in New Jersey?
HEA (Home Energy Assistance) is New Jersey’s branded name for LIHEAP, administered by the Department of Community Affairs (DCA). One application at dcaid.dca.nj.gov covers HEA/LIHEAP, the Universal Service Fund (USF), and Weatherization Assistance simultaneously.
What are the income limits for New Jersey HEA?
New Jersey uses 60% of State Median Income — approximately $7,676/month ($92,108/year) for a household of 4 in FY 2025 (the most recently published table). The FY 2026 figures are likely slightly higher. No asset limit applies. Confirm current figures at energyassistance.nj.gov.
What is the USF (Universal Service Fund)?
USF is a New Jersey state-funded program providing monthly credits on electric and gas bills for households at or below 60% SMI. Eligible households receive at least $5/month; up to $200/month depending on expected energy use versus income. USF Fresh Start forgives past-due balances of $60+ after one year of on-time payments.
Who cannot get New Jersey HEA?
Public housing residents and rental assistance recipients are not eligible unless they pay their heating/cooling costs directly to a fuel supplier. Also, households over 60% SMI do not qualify for HEA or USF, though they may qualify for NJ SHARES or other programs.
How long does processing take?
Approximately 60 days from submission of a complete application. Incomplete applications significantly delay processing. Make good-faith utility payments during the processing period to avoid additional fees.
For current New Jersey HEA/LIHEAP information and to apply, visit dcaid.dca.nj.gov or energyassistance.nj.gov, or call 800-510-3102 (211).