Gov. Phil Murphy highlighted the Residential Energy Assistance Payment initiative Monday in Perth Amboy, saying it will provide financial relief to thousands of eligible households — including a one-time $175 bill credit automatically issued to approximately 278,000 qualifying residential ratepayers on their electric or gas bills in September.
“Making our state more affordable for New Jersey families has been the top priority since day one,” Murphy said. “Costly utility bills can stress household budgets and directly impact the bottom line, making it difficult for residents to afford other necessities.
“Through the REAP initiative, we are putting money back into the pockets of ratepayers across the state, delivering critical assistance to individuals and families by easing the financial burden of high utility bills.”
In April, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities approved the Fiscal Year 2024 Clean Energy Program true-up budget and committed nearly $22 million in carryover Arrearage Relief Funding as well as an additional $30 million in Clean Energy Program funds to the REAP initiative, for a total of more than $51 million. (To see if you’re eligible, click here.)
Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin (D-Woodbridge) applauded the announcement.
“The REAP initiative highlights our dedication to making New Jersey a more affordable place to live, ensuring every resident can keep their lights on and their homes warm — or cool — without sacrificing other essentials,” he said.
“The initiative offers relief to those who need it most, especially as utility costs continue to challenge family budgets. It’s great to see this resource added to the growing list of support available to residents who need a little extra help in our state.”
Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez (D-Perth Amboy) said the initiative will have a great impact.
“After a historic summer of record-breaking heat, New Jersey’s ratepayers will certainly be facing higher utility costs,” she said. “Thanks to the BPU’s Residential Energy Payment initiative, ratepayers will be getting a break with a $175 bill credit to nearly 300,000 residents.
“I applaud this program’s efforts as we continue to do everything we can to make New Jersey more affordable.”
BPU President Christine Guhl-Sadovy said the one-time payment is another example of how the BPU constantly works to assist the ratepayers.
“During another summer of record-breaking temperatures, the NJBPU remains committed to ensuring those struggling to make utility bill payments have the help they need,” she said. “Through this one-time bill credit, the NJBPU is returning unspent clean energy funds to ratepayers who shoulder a disproportionately high energy burden.”
Households deemed eligible for the 2023-2024 Winter Termination Program based on electric and gas utility enrollment data are also automatically eligible for REAP. The 2023-2024 WTP was in effect between Nov. 15, 2023, and March 15.
Customers must call their utility company each winter to request enrollment in WTP.
Utility companies are directed to use the WTP eligibility criteria described below:
- Recipients of benefits under the Lifeline Credit Program
- Recipients of benefits under the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
- 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 (USF) assistance, 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 that might cause financial hardship.
Eligible households receiving utility service from separate gas and electric public utilities will see the one-time REAP credit applied to either their gas or electric utility bill, but not both.
For more information regarding REAP eligibility criteria, click here.
