New Jersey Board of Public Utilities expanding Universal Service Fund for those struggling to pay bills

"More help is available for New Jersey residents struggling to pay their utility bills. The state's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) has started an expansion of its Universal Service Fund (USF) that helps connect people struggling with their utility costs with bill assistance programs. BPU president says residents may be surprised they qualify for help The USF program ensures participants pay no more than 6% of their annual income for gas and electric service. According to the BPU, the expansion raises minimum monthly credits to $20 and raises the maximum combined benefit to $200 per month. They have also streamlined the application process and are requiring mandatory utility outreach to actively enroll eligible households."

"More than 100,000 households that are currently enrolled will see immediate relief, the BPU says. State BPU President Christine Guhl-Sadovy said there are many state and federal programs available to those who can't pay their gas or electric bills and many would be surprised they qualify. "We have expanded the program to provide higher bill credits to customers who need it. It's open to anyone who is at or below 60% of the state median income, so for a family of four, that's about $92,000 a year," she said. For more information on New Jersey's USF, . To learn more about other available services, visit nj.gov/dca."

"Guhl-Sadovy joined other officials at the Boys and Girls Club of Passaic County on Wednesday to inform residents and help them enroll in state programs to help cut down their utility bills, which have been skyrocketing since June. One 59-year-old woman told CBS News New York it's a juggling game to pay bills each month. "I lost my job because of COVID, and I became disabled," she said. "Holding my house because of my daughter's help." She said because of a breathing mac"

The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities expanded the Universal Service Fund to help residents struggling with utility bills. The USF caps participant payments at no more than 6% of annual income for gas and electric service. Minimum monthly credits increase to $20 and the maximum combined benefit rises to $200 per month. The application process has been streamlined and mandatory utility outreach will actively enroll eligible households. More than 100,000 currently enrolled households will see immediate relief. Eligibility covers households at or below 60% of the state median income; for a family of four that is about $92,000 annually. In-person enrollment events and online resources are available.

Read at Cbsnews