Payment Assistance for Gas & Electric PSE&G Energy Assistance Conference 2018 Kathleen Kerr Utility Assistance Director

Today’s Agenda Overview of the Alliance The Win-Win of Energy Assistance History and Statistics of Energy Assistance at AHA PAGE Program Overview What’s new How clients can apply Questions

About AHA We make NJ a better place for all to live Started in 1991 in Monmouth County to address overwhelming need for quality affordable housing in Monmouth County Over 75 employees plus volunteer staff and community partners The Alliance is a community catalyst that provides housing and related relief to all who need it, giving every NJ resident the opportunity to live a better life Manage affordable rental properties Offer rental assistance Housing Counseling and First time Buyer programs Mortgage counseling and foreclosure intervention Financial Capability training Housing Resource Recovery Center (Sandy Assistance) Utility Assistance Homeless prevention Summer STEAM camp and Mathnasium Transportation program

Win-Win of Energy Assistance Energy Efficiency = lower bills Lower bills = more affordable Energy Assistance reduces Utility Accounts Receivable Communication! Communication! Offering customers options such as equal payment plan Power of persuasion

TRUE/TRUE2/PAGE/PAGE2 Program - Timeline TRUE (2 year contract) started in March 2011 TRUE extended for 2 years in March 2013 PAGE (5 year contract) started January 2014 TRUE ends in March 2015 TRUE 2 started in November 2015 TRUE 2 ends in October 2017 PAGE 2 (3 year contract) started August 1st 2018

Applications Received Note: 2018 Numbers are projected using September YTD results

Grants Distributed Note: 2018 Numbers are projected using Sept YTD results

Fund Distribution by Utility Company   2016 2017 2018 ETG 2.0% 1.5% 2.9% NJNG 4.9% 5.0% 6.5% PSE&G 55.7% 60.1% 64.8% SJG 7.2% 6.7% 7.9% JCP&L 11.8% 9.9% ACE 18.4% 16.6% 9.8% RE 0.1% 0.2% Total 100.0%

PAGE2 - Program Overview Low to moderate income families One time, annual assistance Eligible to receive up to $750, per utility Must be past due, received disconnection notice, or already disconnected Must have good faith payment(s) Must not be receiving USF benefits Must not currently be applying or receiving or have received any benefit through the HEA programs within the current heating season

PAGE2 - Program Specifics Gas and/or electric account: Is past due, or disconnected Has a minimum balance of $100 Payments: Two payments of at least $25 within last 6 months One of the payments must have been made at least 10 days prior to the application Or payment of $75 to each utility within last 90 days ($150 if combined) Assets: Have less than $15,000 in liquid assets (savings, stocks, bonds, etc.)

Required Documents for PAGE2 One valid form of New Jersey Identification Social security card(s) for all household members Prior year federal tax return Proof of income for any household member(s) age 18 or older Proof of Residency Most recent gas and/or electric bill(s) Payment history for the last 6 months for the gas and/or electric bill(s) *PLEASE NOTE: Additional documents may need to be requested once the application is reviewed.* All supporting documents will be required to prove that applicant meets income requirements, is a NJ resident, and lives in the house for which they are seeking utility assistance. Clients must provide copies of the following documentation: One valid form of New Jersey Identification, such as: Driver’s license ID card issued by federal, state or local government agencies. U.S. Military or Veteran ID card Voter registration card. Proof of income for all household members age 18 or above If paid weekly: 4 most recent consecutive pay stubs If paid biweekly: 2 most recent consecutive pay stubs Social Security: copy of current award letter or bank statement. Pension: copy of recent monthly statement or previous year 1099 form If the person does not have any income they must write a letter stating “I, (name), certify that I have zero income.” The letter must be signed and dated. Proof of Residency: Property owner: copy of mortgage statement, tax bill or Deed Renter: copy of the current lease, letter from the landlord or tenant verification form.

*IRA no longer considered an asset* New aspects of PAGE2 PAGE2 award will be a maximum of $750/per utility once every twelve months instead of the current $700 under PAGE Restoration of service with grant Liquid asset restrictions (savings, bonds, stocks etc.) will be increased from up to $10,000 to up to $15,000 *IRA no longer considered an asset* A formal recertification process Senior citizens – one non-filing letter sufficient Income guidelines will be adjusted during September ($1) above the LIHEAP maximum during HEA season ($1) above the USF maximum when HEA is not available

Recertification IF CLIENT RECEIVED THE PAGE GRANT WITHIN THE LAST THREE YEARS   Can reapply if it has been at least 12 months since your received the grant and meet the current program requirements and at the same address Can download the recertification form and submit the recertification form with copies of the following documents: Proof of 4 consecutive weeks of income for all members of the household 18 and older Current Utility Bill Six month payment history for each utility Tax return for the previous year if applicable

Income Guidelines for PAGE2 (effective 10/01/2018) Household Size 1 Person 2 Person 3 Person 4 5 6 7 8 9 Minimum Annual Income $ 24,300 $ 32,940 $ 41,580 $ 50,220 $ 58,860 $ 67,500 $ 76,140 $ 84,780 $ 93,420 Maximum Annual Income $ 58,941 $ 77,078 $ 95,213 $ 113,350 $ 131,487 $ 149,622 $ 153,023 $ 156,425 $ 159,827 As you can see, there is a wide range of income to qualify households for this program.

Processing PAGE2 Applications Applications in English and Spanish Case workers will determine for which program applicants qualify Up to $1,500 in benefits every 12-months Clients that receive benefits can recertify

How can clients apply? Mail paper applications to the Affordable Housing Alliance or affiliate 59 Broad Street, Eatontown, NJ 07724 20 Gibson Place, Suite 200, Freehold, NJ 07728 3535 Route 66, Building 4, Neptune, NJ 07753 Online, through our website: www.NJPowerOn.org Scan and email application to a verified AHA representative In person, at the Affordable Housing Alliance or a designated affiliate Main number for PAGE: 732-982-8710

AHA Locations & Affiliate Agencies Affiliates AHA Locations

Affiliate Agencies Atlantic: Cape May: Hammonton Family Success Center Shore Family Success Center AtlantiCare Behavioral Health People for People Foundation Cumberland: Bergen: Greater Bergen County CAP Essex: Burlington: New Community Corp. Family Resource Center Resources for Independent Living (Disabled clients only and by appointment) Essex County Division of Community Action United Community Corporation in Newark Camden: Center for Family Services Gloucester: Hispanic Family Center of Southern NJ

Affiliate Agencies Hudson: PACO (Puertorriqueños Asociados for Community Organization) Passaic: New Destiny Family Success Centers BEOF (Bayonne Economic Opportunity Foundation) Salem: People for People Foundation Mercer: Mercer County Hispanic Association Sussex: Samaritan Inn Middlesex: Project Self-Sufficiency Puerto Rican Action Board Jewish Renaissance Foundation Union: Homefirst Interfaith Housing & Family Services, Inc. Morris: Morris County Organization for Hispanic Affairs Warren:

www.NJPowerOn.org The main page of our website where clients can go on to download the application, apply online, view our affiliate agencies in their area or check the status of their application.

Application Tracker Our application tracker- Once an application is reviewed by the case worker, the client is sent an email with their application number. They can take the application number and go on our website to track the status of their application. For example, If their application is approved, it will list it here as well as the amounts

PAGE APPLICATION PROCESS FLOW

Contact Information Kathleen Kerr Utility Assistance Director Email: aha-utilitydirector@housingall.org Phone: (732) 982-8691 (not for clients)

Questions?