ATLANTIC CITY, NJ, November 12, 2025 – As the arrival of seasonal cold weather quickly approaches the region, South Jersey Gas wants to remind customers that several federal and state assistance programs are available to help manage winter energy costs.
“At South Jersey Gas, we’re committed to ensuring that our customers have access to safe, reliable and affordable natural gas service no matter their financial circumstances,” said Bubba Schomber, President and COO, South Jersey Gas. “With winter on the horizon, our dedicated Energy Assistance teams are proactively building awareness around resources, tips and tools that customers can leverage to meet their energy needs now and well into the future.”
In response to the ongoing economic challenges experienced by residential utility customers, the following assistance programs are available for low- to moderate-income families. For instance, a family of four can make up to $160,276 and may be eligible to receive assistance through the SHARES/ PAGE program. South Jersey Gas’ Energy Assistance team is available to help customers determine if they are eligible for any of these services and identify which program is suitable for each household.
The programs available to customers include the following:
The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides federally funded energy assistance to help low- to moderate-income families meet their energy needs. LIHEAP also offers an added emergency crisis benefit component, offering eligible applicants an additional benefit to maintain or restore service. Grants are provided on an average of $300. Emergency LIHEAP is an additional grant of up to $800. LIHEAP accepts applications from October 1 through June 30 each year and accepts applications for its ancillary emergency grant from March 16 through June 30 each year. For more information on the application process or to apply online, visit the Department of Community Affairs’ website www.energyassistance.nj.gov.
The Universal Service Fund (USF) state program helps make natural gas and electric bills more affordable for low-income households. Customers who apply for LIHEAP automatically submit for consideration of the USF grant. The USF program provides customers with a monthly benefit between $20 and $200 to assist with the increase in energy costs. USF customers will be able to participate in the USF Fresh Start program once in a five (5) year period if arrears are greater than $60.
The Payment Assistance for Gas and Electric (PAGE) is a state-funded utility assistance program that helps low- to moderate-income families in New Jersey pay their utility bills. The PAGE grant is administered by SHARES and is funded by the Board of Public Utilities (BPU). It is a financial assistance program designed to help households across the state of New Jersey who are experiencing economic hardship and struggling to pay their electric and natural gas bills. New Jersey residents who rent or own a home and are facing a crisis situation that includes a documented notice of overdue payment for gas or electric service may qualify.
The SHARES program provides a one-time grant to moderate- or fixed-income households experiencing a financial crisis that do not qualify for federal and state assistance programs due to a household’s income. Grants can be up to $700 for customers with natural gas as a heating source and must result in a continuance and/or restoration of service.
The SHARES SMART program provides utility (gas and electric) assistance grants to income- qualified households experiencing a temporary financial crisis and do not qualify for federal and state programs. Eligibility is based on household size and income that is at or below state median income guidelines. Grant amounts can be up to $500 for heating sources (natural gas – including cooking gas and electric heat) and up to $500 for electric services.
NJ Comfort Partners is a free energy efficiency and education program for qualified low-income customers offered through the New Jersey Clean Energy Program. The program helps customers save energy and money while making their homes more energy efficient. Eligible customers will receive all energy-saving education services free of charge. The program also includes the installation of cost-effective energy efficiency measures in the home. To apply visit www.njcleanenergy.com.
For more information on how to apply, visit southjerseygas.com, the Department of Community Affairs at www.energyassistance.nj.gov or https://apply.sharesnation.org
For additional details on these programs, including eligibility requirements and help applying to the above programs, customers can contact the South Jersey Gas Energy Assistance team at contactus@sjindustries.com.
For more information about SJI and its subsidiaries, please visit sjindustries.com.
About South Jersey Gas
South Jersey Gas, subsidiary of SJI, aims to deliver safe, reliable, affordable natural gas and promotes energy efficiency to more than 400,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland, Salem, and portions of Gloucester, Burlington and Camden counties in New Jersey. For more information, visit southjerseygas.com.
About SJI
South Jersey Industries (SJI), an energy infrastructure holding company based in Folsom, NJ, delivers energy services to customers through two primary subsidiaries: SJI Utilities (SJIU) and SJI Energy Enterprises Group. SJIU houses the company’s regulated natural gas utility operations, delivering safe, reliable and affordable natural gas to more than 730,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers across New Jersey via its South Jersey Gas and Elizabethtown Gas subsidiaries. SJI Energy Enterprises Group, a non-utility subsidiary of SJI, specializes in the ownership, development, construction, and operation of diverse renewable energy projects. These projects include the development of solar, fuel cell, and Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) sourced from a variety of feedstocks including dairy manure, landfill gas, and organic food waste. With a robust portfolio and pipeline of future projects, SJI Energy Enterprises Group is positioned to be a national leader in advancing sustainable energy solutions. Visit sjindustries.com for more information about SJI and its subsidiaries.