PEG Public Service Enterprise Group Inc

LIHEAP and USF Programs Available to Low-Income NJ Residents NEWARK, N.J., Nov. 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Cool weather is finally arriving and the heating season has begun. An important energy assistance program is available effective today to help low-income residents pay their heating bills, and all eligible residents are urged to apply. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is federally funded and administered by DCA through select community-based organizations. The NJ Department of Community Affairs (DCA) and PSE&G, the state's largest utility, are partnering to get the word out and to encourage residents to fill out an application. "Fewer than half the eligible families in NJ applied for energy assistance last year," said Ralph LaRossa, PSE&G president and COO. "PSE&G and the state are working with community leaders and social service agencies state-wide to ensure that individuals learn about and take advantage of this valuable program." Applications and assistance will be available at PSE&G Customer Service Centers at various locations around the state. In addition, information about the assistance programs is being posted on bus shelters in Jersey City, Newark, and in Camden County. "Thanks to Governor Corzine's leadership and with the continued support of PSE&G, LIHEAP will be run more effectively and efficiently this year," said DCA Acting Commissioner Joseph Doria. "We urge people to visit their local community action agency or community based organization, or log on to DCA's website to determine eligibility and get an application." The LIHEAP season begins today. Applications may be submitted until March 31. Individuals are urged to apply as soon as possible, as it takes approximately 4-6 weeks to process a properly completed application. The average LIHEAP grant is approximately $400. A second energy assistance program, the Universal Service Fund (USF), also is available to the low-income community. When consumers apply for LIHEAP, they automatically are applying at the same time for USF. Eligibility for USF is based on income and energy use. The chart below provides maximum monthly income guideline levels for both LIHEAP and USF. LIHEAP & USF Maximum Monthly Gross Income Levels for the Period of 10/1/07 to 9/30/08 Maximum Gross Maximum Gross Household Size Monthly Income Household Size Monthly Income 1 $1,489 7 $4,534 2 $1,997 8 $5,042 3 $2,504 9 $5,549 4 $3,012 10 $6,057 5 $3,519 11 $6,564 6 $4,027 12 $6,770 Please Note: To determine eligibility for household sizes greater than 12, add $135 for each additional member. The following PSE&G Customer Service Centers will have representatives from community-based organizations (on days and times specified) available to help customers complete the LIHEAP/USF applications: Bergen County Bergen County CAP at PSE&G Hackensack Customer Service Center 214 Hudson Street, Hackensack, NJ 07601 Monday - Thursday, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm Essex County La Casa de Don Pedro at PSE&G Newark Customer Service Center 80 Park Plaza, Newark, NJ 07102 Monday - Friday, 9:00 am - 4:30 pm LaCasa de Don Pedro at PSE&G West Orange Customer Service Center 59 Main Street, West Orange, NJ 07052 Wednesday & Friday 9 am - 4:00 pm Hudson County P.A.C.O. at PSE&G Jersey City Customer Service Center 3 PATH Plaza, Jersey City, NJ 07306 Monday - Thursday 9 am - 4 pm starting November 5 Middlesex County Puerto Rican Action Board at PSE&G New Brunswick Customer Service Center 1 Penn Plaza, Albany & French Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 Fridays, 10 am - 4 pm Passaic County UPO at PSE&G Passaic Customer Service Center 651 Main Avenue, Passaic, NJ 07055 Monday - Thursday, 9:30 am - 1:30 pm Applications for LIHEAP and USF are available at all of PSE&G's 16 Customer Service Centers. Locations and hours are listed on customer bills. More information can be found by calling the utility at 1-800-510-3102 or visiting http://www.pseg.com/billpaymentassistance. LIHEAP is a federally funded program administered by the Department of Community Affairs. For more information from DCA, please call 609-633-6200, or log on to http://www.nj.gov/dca/dcr/wap/index.shtml. Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G) is New Jersey's oldest and largest regulated gas and electric delivery utility, serving nearly three- quarters of the state's population. PSE&G is the winner of the ReliabilityOne Award for superior electric system reliability. PSE&G is a subsidiary of Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated (PSEG) (NYSE:PEG), a diversified energy company (http://www.pseg.com/). DATASOURCE: PSE&G CONTACT: Bonnie Sheppard of PSE&G, +1-973-430-7734 Web site: http://www.pseg.com/ http://www.pseg.com/billpaymentassistance http://www.nj.gov/dca/dcr/wap/index.shtml

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