MAYS LANDING, N.J. - The National Energy and Utility Affordability Coalition (NEUAC) has declared August as Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Action Month. Atlantic City Electric wants to remind its customers they have numerous options to apply for energy assistance including LIHEAP, which provides critical home heating and cooling assistance to those who qualify.

LIHEAP, administered by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, is a federally funded program that assists low-income households - both homeowners and renters - with their energy bills. Under the New Jersey plan, assistance is provided for an emergency crisis, and heating and medically necessary cooling costs.

Customers can apply starting Oct. 1 through April 30, 2016, through a network of local agencies. For more information or to apply for LIHEAP assistance, call 800-510-3102 or visit energyassistance.nj.gov.

"In New Jersey, we are fortunate to have a wide range of programs that offer our customers financial assistance with their electric bills," said Alita Corbett, Customer and Community Relations manager, Atlantic City Electric. "We thank the legislatures for their continued support of these critical programs and encourage residents of South Jersey to use the financial assistance available to them."

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

Additional available energy assistance programs include:

• The Universal Service Fund (USF) helps ensure energy bills are more affordable for eligible customers. Call 800-510-3102 or visit energyassistance.nj.gov for details.
• The Payment Assistance for Gas and Electric (PAGE) program provides relief on natural gas and electric bills for low to moderate-income New Jersey households that are experiencing a temporary financial crisis. For more information, call 732-982-8710 or visit njpoweron.org.
• New Jersey SHARES is a nonprofit corporation that provides assistance to income eligible New Jersey households with energy, telephone and water bills. Visit njshares.org or call 866-657-4273 for details.
• Lifeline is a utility assistance program that offers $225 to persons who meet certain income guidelines. This benefit includes utility customers as well as tenants whose utility bills are included in their rent. For more information about Lifeline, call 800-792-9745.

For more information about energy assistance programs, visit www.nj211.org or call 211, New Jersey's non-emergency helpline, available 24/7 throughout the state.

Customers can also contact Atlantic City Electric's Customer Care Center at 1-800-642-3780 and ask about Budget Billing or register for My Account, a web-based interactive tool that provides customers with a detailed analysis of their specific electric use and offers ways to save energy and save money on their monthly energy bill. 

For information about Atlantic City Electric, visit www.atlanticcityelectric.com. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/atlanticcityelectric and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/acelecconnect. Our mobile app is available at www.atlanticcityelectric.com/mobileapp.