Officials Outline Available Assistance, Highlight Partnerships Helping to Better Promote and Disperse Federal Energy Aid Throughout the State TRENTON, N.J., Nov. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Beginning today, New Jersey residents can apply for funding to help offset the cost of their winter heating bills. Getting the word out is critical, because while there's a tremendous need for energy assistance, just 40% of those eligible actually apply. The NJ Department of Community Affairs (DCA) and PSE&G, the state's largest utility, are working to change that. "We are teaming with DCA and working with hundreds of social service agencies and community leaders across the state to build awareness and increase program participation," said Ralph LaRossa, president of PSE&G. "It's critical that we make people aware of the support available." LIHEAP, formally known as the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, provides low-income households with money to help pay their winter heating bills. It is federally funded and state administered. Income eligible residents can apply through select community-based organizations. "As a result of Governor Corzine's direction and leadership, and with the continued support of PSE&G, the LIHEAP program will be run even more effectively and efficiently this year. This will ensure that those most in need will receive quick assistance," said Department of Community Affairs Commissioner Susan Bass Levin. "It is critically important that people go to their local community action agency or community based organization in their area, or go to DCA's website, to determine eligibility and get an application as soon as possible." The LIHEAP season started today, and applications may be submitted until March 31, 2007. The average LIHEAP grant is approximately $400 and it generally takes 4-6 weeks to process a properly completed application. The Universal Service Fund (USF) is a second energy assistance program geared to the low-income community. When consumers apply for LIHEAP, they are automatically applying for this program too. 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 10/1/06 to 9/30/07 Maximum Gross Household Maximum Gross Monthly Household Size Monthly Income Size Income 1 $1,430 7 $4,405 2 $1,925 8 $4,900 3 $2,421 9 $5,396 4 $2,917 10 $5,892 5 $3,413 11 $6,388 6 $3,909 12 $6,703 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 PSE&G Hackensack Customer Service Center 214 Hudson Street in Hackensack PARTNER AGENCY: Bergen County CAP Monday - Thursday (through March 31st), 9:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. * Essex County PSE&G Newark Customer Service Center 80 Park Plaza in Newark PARTNER AGENCY: La Casa de Don Pedro Monday - Friday (through March 31st), 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. * PSE&G West Orange Customer Service Center 59 Main Street in West Orange PARTNER AGENCY: La Casa de Don Pedro Fridays only (through March 31st), 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. * Union County PSE&G Plainfield Customer Service Center 120 West Seventh Street in Plainfield PARTNER AGENCY: PROCEED Monday - Friday (through March 31st), 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. * Hudson County PSE&G Jersey City Customer Service Center 3 PATH Plaza in Jersey City PARTNER AGENCY: PACO Every Tuesday and Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (starting November 8th) Applications for LIHEAP and USF are available at all of PSE&G's 16 Customer Service Centers. Locations and hours are listed in their customer's 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 National Achievement 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: Public Service Electric and Gas Company CONTACT: Jenn Kramer of PSE&G, +1-973-430-7734, or Sean Darcy of DCA, +1-609-292-6055 Web site: http://www.pseg.com/ http://www.nj.gov/dca/dcr/wap/index.shtml http://www.pseg.com/billpaymentassistance

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