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Residential Energy Assistance Payment
Residential Energy Assistance Payment
To advance the Murphy Administration’s ongoing efforts to build a stronger and fairer Garden State, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities is initiating the Residential Energy Assistance Payment (REAP) to provide financial relief to eligible households in New Jersey. Eligible households will receive a one-time bill credit automatically applied to their utility bill during summer 2024.
New Jersey’s Residential Energy Assistance Payment (REAP) is an initiative aimed at providing financial relief to New Jersey households that qualify for utility assistance. Qualifying households will receive a one-time bill credit automatically applied to their utility bill.
Utility companies have already identified eligible households. There is no need to apply or enroll – if you qualify, a one-time bill credit will automatically be applied to your next utility bill.
Utility companies determine REAP eligibility based on enrollment data of households that were deemed eligible for the Winter Termination Program (WTP) between the dates of November 15, 2023 and March 15, 2024.
Utility companies are directed to use the WTP eligibility criteria described below.
- Recipients of benefits under the Lifeline Credit Program;
- Recipients of benefits under LIHEAP;
- Recipients of Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (“TANF”);
- Recipients of Federal Supplemental Security Income (“SSI”);
- Recipients of Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled (“PAAD”);
- Recipients of General Assistance (“GA”) benefits;
- Recipients of Universal Service Fund; or
- Persons unable to pay their utility bills because of circumstances beyond their control which shall include, but not be limited to unemployment, illness, medically related expenses, recent death of an immediate family member, and any other circumstances, which might cause financial hardship.
Eligible households who receive utility service from separate gas and electric public utilities will receive the one-time REAP credit applied to either their gas or electric utility bill, but not both.
Qualifying households will receive a one-time bill credit of $175 applied automatically to their utility bill.
Households can expect to see REAP credited on their August utility bill and applied to their September bill cycle.
Please contact your utility company with questions regarding the Residential Energy Assistance Payment (REAP).