Find how the New Jersey SHARES program helps pay utility bills, either water, telephone or heating. The statewide program offers everything from grants to free conservation programs and more. Find how to apply for SHARES, and get more information on the service and application phone number below.

Heating bill assistance

Tens of thousands of people across the state get help from the New Jersey SHARES program each year. Many of those that receive assistance are mode moderate income families. The fund has millions in dollars of funds and grants to distribute each year to people in need. The funding for the program comes from the state government, individual donations, local businesses, and matching grants from utility companies.

The official name of the program is the New Jersey Statewide Heating Assistance and Referral for Energy Services (New Jersey SHARES). The program and organization that provides the aid is structured as a non-profit organization, and their goal is to provide cash grants and other forms of assistance to families and individuals who need short term help for paying heating and utility bills.

People who apply can receive cash grants of up to $300 towards their electricity bills. In addition, participants can receive an additional $700 towards propane, natural gas, and/or heating bills. Last year, the average grant provided to applicants was just under $700.

The NJ SHARES program is not intended to be a long term charity program. However, what it will do is it will pay enough towards someone’s bill so that their service will not be shut off. It is intended to provide people struggling with paying their energy bills time so that they can work out a payment plan or some other type of solution with their utility company.

Another one of the huge benefits and one of the pros to the New Jersey SHARES program is that it will assist low to moderate income households who may not qualify for other state or federal programs because their income is too high. So it may benefit those who don’t qualify for LIHEAP. The income levels of people who apply can be much greater than a typical program. For example, a family of three with a gross household income of less than $6,100 per month can apply to the NJ SHARES program.

Please apply at:  https://apply.njsharesgreen.org/login?returnUrl=%2F