The HEAP/USF income limits have gone up significantly.
➢ Applications are currently being processed for the new season. If your income is below the limits in the chart and you live in Ocean County, you should apply to HEAP and USF through O.C.E.A.N. Inc. Households approved for USF may be eligible for the Fresh Start forgiveness program to help with past-due balances.
➢ The LRRC will be collaborating with O.C.E.A.N. Inc to accept new HEAP and USF applications. You can access the LRRC/HEAP Utility Assistance Application Portal here: heap.lrrcenter.org
➢ The portal includes links to download the application and required forms. The portal also allows you to upload complete applications and documentation for the LRRC to submit to O.C.E.A.N. Inc on your behalf. Do not submit an incomplete application using this portal. Should you have any questions or need assistance completing the paperwork, schedule a call with an LRRC case worker by calling 732-523-1789 or walk into our office during open hours. If you would prefer not to utilize the portal, you can also bring complete applications to the LRRC for us to submit on your behalf.
➢ If you received a notice from the NJ Department of Community Affairs (DCA) stating that you are eligible for utility relief from the American Rescue Plan, follow the instructions in the letter to apply. This program has a deadline of November 4, 2021. Benefit amounts will be determined after that deadline. This program is separate from the HEAP/USF program described above, and you should still follow the instructions above for applying for HEAP/USF from O.C.E.A.N. Inc. If you did not receive this notice from the DCA, you are not eligible for this additional benefit.
➢ If you received HEAP/USF benefits last year, you likely received recertification paperwork from the State. The LRRC does not recommend e-mailing completed paperwork to the e-mail address on the recertification paperwork.
Those e-mails go directly to the State and are difficult to follow-up on. Complete the recertification and e-mail it directly to O.C.E.A.N. Inc. at [email protected].
Those e-mails go directly to the State and are difficult to follow-up on. Complete the recertification and e-mail it directly to O.C.E.A.N. Inc. at [email protected].
The LRRC updated HEAP/USF program information can be accessed here: https://bit.ly/lrrcheapusf
Additional Assistance:
There is additional utility assistance available through NJShares, PAGE, and the Gift of Warmth for those that are above and below the HEAP income limits shown above. To hear about these programs, schedule an appointmentwith the LRRC through our automated scheduling system by calling 732-523-1789.
These increased limits make sense; a family today must at least earn these limits just to survive.
Each generation has it harder and harder.
My Parents (Holocaust Survivors) Generation: Yeshiva Tuition: $15 per month per child; Food for a family: $12 per week; Rent for a 3 bedroom apartment on the Lower East Side: $45 per month; To buy a House in Boro Park: $16,000.
My Generation ( my older siblings had it easier than me, I’m the youngest) A Home: $150,000; weekly food bill: $200; Tuition: $250 per month per child etc.
Today’s (my children’s) Generation: a decent Home for a large family: over $1,000,000.00 ; weekly food bill at least $600 ; Yeshiva’s: to run and build them is no longer thousands , it millions. I don’t know young families do it.
@mutty, we don’t! Thank you for noticing.
Most people do what they need to do to get by. Most seniors are only receiving $16.00 per month food allotment. So it appears to be survival of the fittest.