Latest news with #HomeEnergyAssistanceProgram
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
NJ power bills are spiking this month. What to know.
Major electricity rate increases are in effect across New Jersey as of June 1 — just in time for what the National Weather Service expects to be a summer hotter than normal. The figure for 'average' residential kilowatt hour usage varies, but generally is around 650 kWh per month. Consumers at those levels could see monthly bill increases of approximately 17-20%. Businesses are similarly affected. These estimated increases vary by which utility serves your region. More: Atlantic City Electric is giving customers another break. What to know. In South Jersey, those are: Jersey Central Power & Light, 20.20%; Atlantic City Electric, 17.23%; and PSE&G, 17.24%. In cash terms that's an additional $22.67 to $28.02 per month for the average customer. The administration of New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities have pressed electric providers to come up with ways to lessen the impact. Electric company representatives have said they're paying more to buy the power they sell and aren't making money on these rate increases. Atlantic City Electric spokesman Brian Ahrens said on Friday that the utility has worked hard since the increases became public early this year at putting information in front of customers. This company is the utility provider for most southern counties in the state, including parts of Gloucester County. Ahrens and other utility representatives have echoed state government calls for consumers to seriously consider various conservation strategies and to look for financial assistance options. Company representatives have said they also expect results from more use of 'smart' meters. Other tips include: Conduct home efficiency evaluations. Search for rebates for energy efficient equipment and appliances. Looks for discounts on products such as programmable thermostats. Apply for budget billing to spread out seasonal cost spikes. Sign up for flexible payment plans. Utilities also are using their websites to steer customers to local, state and federal assistance programs. The increase in electricity costs is being put down to two reasons: Demand is higher, and energy production and/or delivery capacity have not kept pace. The growth in artificial intelligence data centers is claimed to be behind much of the demand for more electricity. Data centers are almost entirely in North Jersey. More: Electric bill increases in New Jersey: How much, and when, your bill will spike. Some of the assistance programs are as follows: Low Income Home Energy Assistance — helps low-income residents with heating and cooling bills, and makes provisions for emergency heating system services and emergency fuel assistance within the Home Energy Assistance Program. Call 1-800-510-3102 or visit for more information. Universal Service Fund — provides a monthly credit on natural gas and/or electric bills. USF shares an application with the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Visit or call toll-free at 1-866-240-1347. NJSHARES — provides grants to moderate- and fixed-income households in a temporary financial crisis. Eligibility is based on household size and income. Grants are to be used for energy consumption only — not deposits, reconnection fees or repairs. Grants are to result in continuance and/or restoration of service. Payments go to the utility company. Call 1-866-657-4273 or visit New Jersey Lifeline — assistance for older adults and people with disabilities. This may provide a $225 annual benefit to people who meet the Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled eligibility requirements or who receive Supplemental Security Income. This includes utility customers as well as tenants whose utility bills are included in their rent. Call 1-800-792-9745 or visit Joe Smith is a N.E. Philly native transplanted to South Jersey 36 years ago, keeping an eye now on government in South Jersey. He is a former editor and current senior staff writer for The Daily Journal in Vineland, Courier-Post in Cherry Hill, and the Burlington County Times. Have a tip? Support local journalism with a subscription. This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: NJ electric bills are set to increase by 20%
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump plan to zero out energy assistance would be a deadly blow to Eastern Kentucky
Installing insulation to weatherize homes, which saves energy and lowers costs, is part of what the Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) does. In fiscal year 2023, the program weatherized more than 60,000 homes nationwide, averting power disconnections. (Mountain Association photo) By any measure, the economy of Eastern Kentucky and the wider Appalachian region is struggling. The collapse of the coal industry, the opioid crisis and the recurring natural disasters have left scars that are slow to heal. Families and individual households trying to make ends meet rely on an array of federal assistance. Recently, there have been cuts or threats to these assistance programs, including a proposed total elimination of a vital energy assistance program that supports 6 million low-income households each year across the country. The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is zeroed out in the proposed federal budget for the fiscal year that begins in September 2025. LIHEAP provides life-saving aid to millions of Americans by helping them afford their heating and cooling bills. For many, it is the difference between choosing food or heat, medicine or air conditioning. In 2024 alone, the program was utilized more than 219,000 times by Kentucky households. These are small disbursements — a max of $250 per season — that function as safety nets for working families, elderly residents and people with disabilities who are trying to survive on limited incomes in one of the most energy-burdened regions in the country. Despite this need, the Trump administration's 2026 budget proposes defunding LIHEAP entirely. Their reasoning is that lower energy prices are on the horizon thanks to a move toward American energy dominance and the America First platform. But here in Kentucky, the future hasn't arrived yet. Energy bills are still going up, not down. In some Eastern Kentucky counties, low-income families pay up to 14.5% of their income on utility bills — more than double the 6% threshold that experts define as a 'high' energy burden. Rural residents, especially those living in older, less energy-efficient homes, feel this pain the most. Rural areas often pay disproportionately high electricity costs due to utilities charging higher rates, in part due to infrastructure costs utilities incur covering more miles of transmission lines, etc., and in part due to utilities being owned by investors who are guaranteed a certain rate of return on their investment. And while some cities have access to local programs that might soften the blow of high bills, rural communities often don't. That's where LIHEAP comes in. It funds weatherization improvements that make homes more efficient — reducing future energy costs and minimizing the need for repeated emergency assistance. In fiscal year 2023, the program weatherized more than 60,000 homes nationwide and helped prevent countless power disconnections. The federal government allocated approximately $54 million in LIHEAP funds to Kentucky in fiscal year 2025. To access these funds, individuals must meet certain requirements and provide documentation showing their need for assistance. These requirements are designed to support Kentucky's most vulnerable residents and some examples include households where someone has a health condition or disability (verified by a doctor's note), someone is 65 or older, or a child under the age of 6 is present. This money is especially important during the extreme summer and winter temperatures Kentucky experiences. Kentucky is one of just 10 states where utility shutoffs due to nonpayment are allowed even during dangerous weather events. Sometimes families are cut off because they owe as little as $6. Cutting LIHEAP cannot just be a budget decision — this is an issue that needs to consider the survival of our most vulnerable neighbors. Because it's so critical, the program is housed under the Department of Health and Human Services and has received bipartisan support for nearly 45 years. The Trump administration recently acknowledged that Appalachia is at a disadvantage due to loss of coal jobs and the opioid crisis, and because of that, it was leaving funding for another program in the budget that benefits this area. We argue that many low-income communities across the country face similar systemic challenges that have them needing a little extra help to stay and revitalize these areas of the United States. If you have an experience to share about how LIHEAP has impacted you or your community in a time of need, now is the time to share your story. Chris Woolery is the Energy Projects Coordinator at Mountain Association. Over his career, Chris has helped deliver residential energy efficiency upgrades to more than 800 households. He can be reached at chris@
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Yahoo
Carthage woman charged with alleged $40,000 in welfare fraud
WATERTOWN, N.Y. (WWTI) – A 38-year-old Carthage woman is facing multiple charges after allegedly stealing $40,000 in assistance that she wasn't entitled to. According to the Watertown Police Department, they charged Shannon Ball with a number of felony charges: Third-degree welfare fraud Third-degree grand larceny First-degree offering a false instrument for filing Misuse of food stamps Authorities allege that Ball lied about her household income on applications for SNAP, or food stamp, benefits. It was also alleged that she lied about this information on HEAP or Home Energy Assistance Program, applications. Ball was arraigned in Watertown City Court and released. Watch: Man gets 20th impaired driving arrest while allegedly driving drunk in Ohio Flash flooding forces evacuation of elementary school, fire station in western Maryland Not Just Lyme: Two other tick-borne illnesses quickly spreading in CNY Mexico opposes proposed US tax on remittances 'Love Island' contestant charged with domestic violence in Salt Lake City Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
How HEAP can get low-income New Yorkers air conditioning
NEW YORK (ABC22/FOX44) – New Yorkers can now apply to receive free air-conditioning through the Home Energy Assistance Program. Low-income individuals that meet HEAP's threshold may get a fan or cooling unit, with installation, using one Cooling Assistance benefit. Only one air conditioner or fan per applicant household can be provided. Those who are eligible include people with medical conditions that worsen from heat, individuals that receive Temporary Assistance and more. Applications opened Tuesday, April 15. Benefits are provided on a a first come, first served basis. Additional information on how to apply can be found on the HEAP website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Deadline for HEAP fuel assistance applications is April 30
BOSTON, Mass. (WWLP)– Many Massachusetts residents saw a steep increase in energy costs this winter, with some struggling to pay those bills. Eligible Massachusetts residents still have time to apply for the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP). Households do not need to be on public assistance or have unpaid bills to qualify. It is open to both renters and homeowners. LIST: April snow showers bring totals to western Massachusetts The program sends a one-time payment directly to the heating provider. The funding is made available through a grant and does not have to be repaid. Residents can find out if they are eligible and apply online, or contact their local administering agency. The application deadline is Wednesday, April 30, 2025, for the 2024-2025 winter heating season. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
