MAYS LANDING, N.J. - Dramatic increases in the funding level for the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) should help thousands of struggling families across southern New Jersey pay their heating bills this winter.

LIHEAP is a block grant program which assists low-income households - both homeowners and renters - with their energy bills. The application period is through March 31, 2009.

For fiscal year 2009, the LIHEAP funding in New Jersey has increased to $185.7 million, according to the National Energy Directors Association. These funding levels represent a significant increase over previous years. The average grant will increase from $355 to $550.

Atlantic City Electric delivers electricity to more than 480,000 residential customers in southern New Jersey.

"Given the economic uncertainties that so many are facing, it is more important than ever for eligible southern New Jersey residents to know that financial help is available," said Atlantic City Electric Region President Kenneth Parker.

Atlantic City Electric is partnering with community-based organizations and social service agencies throughout southern New Jersey to ensure that their low-income and at-risk customers are made aware of the federal dollars available to help them with their utility bills.

Below are the LIHEAP program details and contact information for customers served by Atlantic City Electric:

New Jersey

New Jersey 's Home Energy Assistance Program helps very low-income residents with their heating and cooling bills, and makes provisions for emergency heating system services and emergency fuel assistance within the Home Energy Assistance Program. It is administered by the Department of Community Affairs.

For general information and income guidelines call the Department of Community Affairs at
1-800-510-3102 or visit the Web site at www.nj.gov/dca/dcr/hea/index.shtml.

Below is a list of phone numbers for the local administering agencies of LIHEAP funds in the counties served by Atlantic City Electric:

Atlantic County
Phone : 609-348-3901

Burlington County
Phone : 609-835-4329

609-835-2464

Camden County

Phone: 856-910-1180

Cape May County

Phone: 609-465-4531

Cumberland County

Phone: 856-451-2966, Ext. 290

Gloucester County

Phone: 856-423-0040

Ocean County

Phone: 732-244-9041, Ext. 16

Salem County

Phone: 856-935-0944

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Atlantic City Electric, a public utility owned by Pepco Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: POM), provides safe, reliable and affordable regulated electric delivery services to more than 545,000 customers in southern New Jersey.