Effective:
4/23/04
General Information for Household Grant Applications
1.
New
Jersey SHARES energy assistance applicants must be New
Jersey residential customers of the participating energy
providers and have a temporary, one-time need for assistance.
2.
The
electric or gas utility bill must be in the applicant's
name. (Oil, water, or telephone bills are not covered.)
Acceptable
exceptions to bill being in the applicant's name:
a.
The
bill is in the spouse's name and the spouse still
resides in the home or is deceased.
b.
The
applicant is elderly or disabled and a volunteer,
family member, or social worker that has a letter
of authorization, is applying on his/her behalf.
3.
A
household that is coded for the Universal Service Fund
(USF) or has received a LIHEAP grant between November
2003 and the close of the program is not eligible for
NJ SHARES.
4.
The applicant should also be encouraged to apply for other
energy assistance programs, including Lifeline, EFSP (FEMA),
and Comfort Partners.
5.
The
energy provider service must be established. Grants cannot
be used for deposits.
6.
The applicant cannot currently be receiving cash assistance
from the New Jersey Division of Family Development. More
specifically this means TANF and GA (General Assistance).
7.
The
customer must be shut off or "at risk" of service
termination which can be documented by ANY of the following:
The
customer's service is actually off - this would
be a first priority.
The
customer has received a "shut-off' notice.
The
customer has received a written notice of arrears
or a credit notice.
The
customer's bill shows an arrears balance.
The
customer has or is about to default a payment agreement,
The
customer has a written termination warning on his/her
bill.
Documentation
required for Household Grant Applications:
1.
Personal
ID for applicant, (driver's license, county welfare agency
ID, voter registration card, etc.)
2.
Proof
of income: Pay stubs (last four weeks), written unemployment
notice, unemployment benefit letter. Social Security or
SSI statement or award letter, etc.
