Approximately 135,000 New Jersey seniors and disabled households will receive a $100 benefit to help with home cooling expenses this summer.
Announced earlier this week by New Jersey Governor, Chris Christie, the supplemental benefit will arrive in August and help residents to cope with the heat wave that has blasted the state.
“With this summer’s temperatures peaking around 100 degrees, many New Jerseyans are struggling with higher utility bills to stay cool and beat the heat,” said Governor Christie. “That’s why I am pleased that my Administration is able to expand our support services to provide these emergency benefits that will ease the strain on our seniors and disabled citizens to help pay their cooling bills this summer.”
Eligible households do not need to reapply for the program to receive supplemental benefits. These funds will be issued as credits to utility accounts or issued by check, if a credit cannot be processed. The benefits are available because additional LIHEAP funding was provided by the Federal Government after the initiation of the LIHEAP season.
“The combination of the record-setting heat and humidity make for a dangerous situation for our elderly and disabled populations, who are most at risk during summer heat waves. These emergency funds are just one of the ways the LIHEAP program provides invaluable help to thousands of New Jersey’s most vulnerable low-income households,” said New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Commissioner Lori Grifa.
