BPU Asks Nonprofits to Help Distribute Grants to Low-Income Utility Customers

The state is asking nonprofit groups to lend a hand distributing grants to low- and moderate-income New Jersey residents to help them pay their gas and electric bills.

The program, one of several that aims to ensure utility customers retain their gas and electric service, has distributed between $800,000 and as much as $3 million over the past few years to homeowners and renters who have trouble paying their bills.

Unlike other programs, this one makes one-time grants available to customers to avert the turning off of their electric and gas service. To be eligible to participate, applicants must have a history of paying their utility bills in a timely manner.

The money for the program comes from unclaimed utility deposits by ratepayers. Nonprofit groups seeking to participate in the five-year initiative must submit applications to the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities by May 15, 2013. The grants are expected to be awarded at the end of the year.

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