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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

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

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

8. 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%

9. 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

10. 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.)

11. 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.

12. *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

13. 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

14. 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.

15. 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

16. 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:
Scan and application to a verified AHA representative
In person, at the Affordable Housing Alliance or a designated affiliate
Main number for PAGE:

17. AHA Locations & Affiliate Agencies
Affiliates
AHA Locations

18. 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

19. 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:

20.
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.

21. Application Tracker
Our application tracker- Once an application is reviewed by the case worker, the client is sent an 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

22. PAGE APPLICATION PROCESS FLOW

23. Contact Information
Kathleen Kerr
Utility Assistance Director
Phone: (732) (not for clients)

24. Questions?