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WOODBRIDGE PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT |
Jan. 4, 2007
SENIOR RESIDENTS MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR STATE ASSISTANCE TO PAY HEATING AND ENERGY BILLS… ENCOURAGED TO CONTACT TOWNSHIP DIVISION ON AGING @ 732-855-0600 X5016
Woodbridge Township Mayor John E. McCormac today announced that Township senior residents facing high heating bills this winter season may be eligible for financial assistance to help pay rising energy costs.
According to Mayor McCormac, the Woodbridge Township Office on Aging is participating in the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) administered through the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. Under LIHEAP, funding is available to pay for home heating oil, natural gas, electric heating, propane and kerosene heating systems. Households whose heating costs are included in rent may also be eligible for LIHEAP aid.
“While we are experiencing an unusually warm winter, colder weather is on the way and that means many low income senior residents will face unusually high heating bills,” Mayor McCormac said. “I encourage every senior resident struggling to pay utility costs to contact the Township Office on Aging to find out how to apply for aid.”
Woodbridge Township Council President Brenda Velasco said that LIHEAP helps directly pay for heating costs while the Universal Service Fund (USF) helps make utility bills affordable by providing a monthly credit on electric or natural gas bills. Receiving assistance from either LIHEAP or USF will not affect the Lifeline benefit some senios already receive – in fact, qualified individuals can receive benefits from all three programs.
Woodbridge residents who have applied for or received LIHEAP benefits in the past should receive a renewal application by mail. First-time applicants are encouraged to call the Office on Aging at 732-855-0600 x5016 for applications and guidelines. Additionally, Township residents can contact the Department of Community Affairs directly at 1-800-510-3102 for LIHEAP or USF applications. Applications can also be downloaded at http://www.nj.gov/dca/dcr/hea/index.shtml. The application deadline is March 31, 2007.
John R. Hagerty
Mayor’s Office of Communications
732-602-6039
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MIS Department
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