Originally published on PSEG NewsRoom

NEWARK, N.J., October 28, 2022 /CSRwire/ - As winter heating season approaches, PSE&G recognizes that many households are facing challenging times and wants to remind its customers that programs exist to help people struggling with utility bills. To help manage their monthly utility bills, customers can enroll in PSE&G’s Equal Payment Plan (EPP) to avoid seasonal fluctuations. The EPP divides the total cost of your energy use into equal monthly payments, making energy bills more predictable.

“At PSE&G, we work hard to keep energy costs as low and as manageable as possible,” said David Johnson, PSE&G chief customer officer and vice president of Customer Care. “We recognize many of our customers are struggling to pay bills in the current economy. To help manage energy use and costs, we offer resources, tips and a variety of energy efficiency programs. If a customer is behind on paying their bills, we encourage them to reach out to us to learn about available utility payment assistance programs and to possibly enroll in a deferred payment plan. Colder weather is coming, which can mean higher heating costs. We urge our customers to act now, and we’re here to help.”

PSE&G natural gas bills remain the lowest in the state, despite market fluctuations. With energy costs rising due to global conflict, inflation, and high demand as the winter heating season approaches, PSE&G understands the impact this increase can have on its customers and there are many ways customers can lower their bills by using energy wisely.

How customers can lower their bills

• Lower your thermostat. Home heating is the largest user of energy and offers the greatest opportunity for savings. Set your programmable thermostat as low as is comfortable in the winter and lower the set point when you’re sleeping or away from home.
  
• Use a smart thermostat. A smart thermostat lets customers use technology to automatically adjust the temperature. PSE&G is offering a special, $0 deal to residential PSE&G customers in New Jersey. Customers will pay for taxes and shipping.
  
• More winter weather energy savings tips: use ceiling fans, remove or cover window air conditioners, move furniture that may be covering vents, and close fireplace dampers when they are not in use.
  
• Take advantage of PSE&G’s variety of energy efficiency programs, i.e. rebates, discounts. A free Quick Home Energy Check-up is an easy way to pinpoint all the ways your home can save more energy—and money. And, it only takes about an hour.
  
• For certain income-qualified customers, the Comfort Partners program provides a free inhome energy assessment and could provide thousands of dollars' worth of energy efficient appliance upgrades.
  
• Use PSE&G’s online Home Energy Assessment, an interactive, easy way to learn how your household uses energy and recommendations to make your home more energy efficient.
  
• Visit pseg.com/saveenergy to find energy saving tips, tools and resources to help you reduce your energy costs.

While payment assistance programs aren’t a way to save energy, they may be a resource to customers whose bills have become unmanageable.

Assistance available to those struggling with bills

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is now accepting applications for the 2022-2023 heating season. LIHEAP is a state-run program that helps residents with their heating and medically-necessary cooling bills.

Homeowners and renters are eligible, even if your heat is included in your monthly rent. Income limits for the 2022-2023 LIHEAP eligibility are dependent upon household size:

To apply for LIHEAP, you can download or complete an application by visiting energyassistance.nj.gov.

For assistance with applications, or to submit or mail an application, download this flyer to locate your local agency, or call 800-510-3102.

Other Payment Assistance Options

Other payment assistance programs continue to be available for customers who need help paying their energy bills. These programs have expanded to include more people at higher income levels.

• Universal Service Fund (USF) and Fresh Start Program
  The State of New Jersey’s USF and Fresh Start program helps make energy bills more affordable by lowering the amount you have to pay for your gas and electric bill, and providing forgiveness of past due balances. A family of four with a pre-tax income of $9,250 or less per month is eligible.
  
• Applications are accepted year-round. To apply, visit pseg.com/energyassistance or the local agency in the county where you live. Note: If you apply for LIHEAP, you are also applying for USF.
  
• American Rescue Plan
  ARP can help you pay past-due electric and gas bills, even if you already receive other assistance. The application process is simple and no documentation is required. To learn more or apply, visit pseg.com/energyassistance or call the New Jersey Energy Assistance hotline at 609-984-6670.
  
• If you have a shut-off notice, please call PSE&G at 800-357-2262, or visit us at one of our customer service centers after you have submitted your completed application. If you can show proof that you have applied, PSE&G will protect your electric and/or gas from being shut-off while the application is being processed. It’s important you apply soon because this protection will only be available for a limited time.
  
• PSE&G also offers flexible payment arrangements. To make a payment arrangement, visit pseg.com/MyAccount or call 800-357-2262. When asked, “What would you like help with today?” just say “payment arrangement.”

For more information about payment assistance programs and eligibility, visit pseg.com/helpnow.

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PSE&G
Public Service Electric & Gas Co. is New Jersey’s oldest and largest gas and electric delivery public utility, serving three-quarters of the state’s population, as well as one of the nation’s largest utilities. PSE&G has won the ReliabilityOne Award for superior electric system reliability in the Mid-Atlantic region for 20 consecutive years. PSE&G received the 2022 ENERGY STAR® “Partner of the Year” award in the Energy Efficiency Program Delivery category, and is a 2021 Customer Champion and Most Trusted Brand as named by Escalent. PSE&G is a subsidiary of Public Service Enterprise Group Inc., (PSEG) (NYSE:PEG), a predominantly regulated infrastructure company focused on a clean energy future and has been named to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for North America for 14 consecutive years (www.pseg.com).

Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG)

Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG)

Public Service Enterprise Group Inc. (PSEG) (NYSE: PEG) is a publicly traded diversified energy company with approximately 13,000 employees. Headquartered in Newark, N.J., PSEG's principal operating subsidiaries are: Public Service Electric and Gas Co. (PSE&G), PSEG Power and PSEG Long Island. PSEG is a Fortune 500 company included in the S&P 500 Index and has been named to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for North America for 11 consecutive years (https://corporate.pseg.com/).

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