![Page 1: Universal Service Fund Program & Home Energy Assistance Program Overview NJ Dept. of Community Affairs PSE&G LIHEAP Agency Conferences 2015](https://reader036.vdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022083009/5697bfa61a28abf838c98694/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
Universal Service Fund Program & Home Energy Assistance Program
Overview NJ Dept. of Community Affairs
PSE&G LIHEAP Agency Conferences
2015
![Page 2: Universal Service Fund Program & Home Energy Assistance Program Overview NJ Dept. of Community Affairs PSE&G LIHEAP Agency Conferences 2015](https://reader036.vdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022083009/5697bfa61a28abf838c98694/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
Funding Source for the USF Program
• The USF program was created by the NJ Board of Public Utilities to help low income households pay for their electric and natural gas costs
• Funding source – – Societal Benefit Fund – Rate payers
![Page 3: Universal Service Fund Program & Home Energy Assistance Program Overview NJ Dept. of Community Affairs PSE&G LIHEAP Agency Conferences 2015](https://reader036.vdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022083009/5697bfa61a28abf838c98694/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
What criteria are used to establish benefit eligibility and amount?
Universal Service Fund• Eligibility
– Annual energy burden ( how much is spent in electric and gas)
– Household income = or < 175% of FPL
– Head of household or spouse name on utility bill
• Monthly Benefits are calculated
– Household energy burden exceeds 3% of Household annual income for Gas expense or 3% for Electric expense. If you heat your house with electricity, you must spend more than 6% of your income on Electricity.
![Page 4: Universal Service Fund Program & Home Energy Assistance Program Overview NJ Dept. of Community Affairs PSE&G LIHEAP Agency Conferences 2015](https://reader036.vdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022083009/5697bfa61a28abf838c98694/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
Universal Service Fund
• Only seven large Gas & Electric Utility companies regulated by BPU can participate
• Electronic data Transfers between USFHEA system and the utilities
(Send & Receive Process)
![Page 5: Universal Service Fund Program & Home Energy Assistance Program Overview NJ Dept. of Community Affairs PSE&G LIHEAP Agency Conferences 2015](https://reader036.vdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022083009/5697bfa61a28abf838c98694/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
How USF benefits are paid?
• USF benefits are paid as a monthly direct credit to the utility account
• Maximum USF benefit monthly of $150, combined gas and electric, up to $1,800 a year
• Fresh Start Component – Handled between BPU and Utility company
![Page 6: Universal Service Fund Program & Home Energy Assistance Program Overview NJ Dept. of Community Affairs PSE&G LIHEAP Agency Conferences 2015](https://reader036.vdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022083009/5697bfa61a28abf838c98694/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
Home Energy Assistance
• The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is designed to help low-income families and individuals meet home heating and medically necessary cooling costs
![Page 7: Universal Service Fund Program & Home Energy Assistance Program Overview NJ Dept. of Community Affairs PSE&G LIHEAP Agency Conferences 2015](https://reader036.vdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022083009/5697bfa61a28abf838c98694/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
• US Department of Health & Human Services
• Fiscal year 2015 was $126 Million
• Fiscal year 2016 allocation? We expect to be around 2015 level.
Funding Source for the Home Energy Assistance Program
![Page 8: Universal Service Fund Program & Home Energy Assistance Program Overview NJ Dept. of Community Affairs PSE&G LIHEAP Agency Conferences 2015](https://reader036.vdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022083009/5697bfa61a28abf838c98694/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
What criteria are used to establish benefit eligibility and amount?
H E A
• Eligibility– Household size
– Household income = or < than 200% FPL
– Applicant or household member must be responsible for heating payments
– Social Security Numbers Automatic Validated through the Social Security Administration
![Page 9: Universal Service Fund Program & Home Energy Assistance Program Overview NJ Dept. of Community Affairs PSE&G LIHEAP Agency Conferences 2015](https://reader036.vdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022083009/5697bfa61a28abf838c98694/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
What criteria are used to establish benefit eligibility and amount?
H E A
• Benefit amount– Household income – Size– Fuel type– Region in NJ
• Cooling– Meet income guidelines for HEA– Doctor’s note
![Page 10: Universal Service Fund Program & Home Energy Assistance Program Overview NJ Dept. of Community Affairs PSE&G LIHEAP Agency Conferences 2015](https://reader036.vdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022083009/5697bfa61a28abf838c98694/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
How is the information acquired?Electronic File Transfer from DHS - FAMIS
• The following program participants will be automatically processed for HEA and USF:
• SNAP (Food Stamp) applications.
• PAAD applications.
• Electronic file transfer from FAMIS to USF/HEA System
![Page 11: Universal Service Fund Program & Home Energy Assistance Program Overview NJ Dept. of Community Affairs PSE&G LIHEAP Agency Conferences 2015](https://reader036.vdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022083009/5697bfa61a28abf838c98694/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
USFHEA Recertification & Paper Applications- CAP/CBO Offices
• Home Energy Assistance – Universal Service Fund and Weatherization Program Applications
CAP/CBO agency staff enters information Verifications provided by client
• Recertification Process –
Only clients who submitted an application and received benefit the previous year will receive a recertification
• Clients who received a cooling benefit the previous year will automatically receive benefits thorough the recertification process.
![Page 12: Universal Service Fund Program & Home Energy Assistance Program Overview NJ Dept. of Community Affairs PSE&G LIHEAP Agency Conferences 2015](https://reader036.vdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022083009/5697bfa61a28abf838c98694/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
When are applications accepted?
USF• Any time during the year• Applicant must reapply
each year
HEA• October 1st to April 30
• Applicant must reapply each year
• Cooling – automatic recertification – Credits will be sent to an active electric account
![Page 13: Universal Service Fund Program & Home Energy Assistance Program Overview NJ Dept. of Community Affairs PSE&G LIHEAP Agency Conferences 2015](https://reader036.vdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022083009/5697bfa61a28abf838c98694/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
Maximum HEA benefit amount per household per year
Heating Assistance up to $2,000.00
which includes the regular HEA benefit and…emergency fuel purchase up to $450.00 restoration of service (one per year) up to $100.00cold air infiltration (one per year) up to $100.00supplemental payments If funds are
available Cooling $200.00 Heating Repairs up to $1,000.00
![Page 14: Universal Service Fund Program & Home Energy Assistance Program Overview NJ Dept. of Community Affairs PSE&G LIHEAP Agency Conferences 2015](https://reader036.vdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022083009/5697bfa61a28abf838c98694/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
What Emergency Benefits can HEA provide?
Deliverable Fuels • EA period starts after first regular HEA payment• Emergency benefit for a fuel delivery if
– Client brings a statement certifying fuel has run out – Local CAP/CBO agency verifies lack of fuel
Gas/Electric• Emergency benefit to cancel pending service
interruption – Shutoff notice to the CAP/CBO– No emergency payments before March 16th
![Page 15: Universal Service Fund Program & Home Energy Assistance Program Overview NJ Dept. of Community Affairs PSE&G LIHEAP Agency Conferences 2015](https://reader036.vdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022083009/5697bfa61a28abf838c98694/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
LIHEAP & USF
• All information about these programs can be found at the Department of Community Affairs website:
• www.energyassistance.nj.gov
• Applications and local agency information can be obtained at this site
• 1-800-510-3102