Murphy administration highlights Residential Energy Assistance Payment to advance affordability for New Jersey ratepayers
NEW JERSEY – The Murphy Administration Monday highlighted the Residential Energy Assistance Payment (REAP) initiative, which will provide financial relief to thousands of eligible households, further advancing the Administration’s efforts to improve affordability across the Garden State.
During the September bill cycle, a $175 one-time bill credit will be automatically issued to approximately 278,000 qualifying residential ratepayers on their electric or gas bills.
“Making our state more affordable for New Jersey families has been the top priority since day one. Costly utility bills can stress household budgets and directly impact the bottom line, making it difficult for residents to afford other necessities,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “Through the REAP initiative, we are putting money back into the pockets of ratepayers across the state, delivering critical assistance to individuals and families by easing the financial burden of high utility bills.”
“During another summer of record-breaking temperatures, the NJBPU remains committed to ensuring those struggling to make utility bill payments have the help they need,” said New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) President Christine Guhl-Sadovy. “Through this one-time bill credit, the NJBPU is returning unspent clean energy funds to ratepayers who shoulder a disproportionately high energy burden.”
In April, the NJBPU approved the Fiscal Year 2024 Clean Energy Program true-up budget and committed nearly $22 million in carryover Arrearage Relief Funding (ARF) as well as an additional $30 million in Clean Energy Program funds to the REAP initiative for a total of more than $51 million.
Households deemed eligible for the 2023-2024 Winter Termination Program (WTP) based on electric and gas utility enrollment data are also automatically eligible for REAP. The 2023-2024 WTP was in effect between November 15, 2023, and March 15, 2024.
Customers must call their utility company each winter to request enrollment in WTP.
Utility companies are directed to use the WTP eligibility criteria described below:
- Recipients of benefits under the Lifeline Credit Program;
- Recipients of benefits under the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP);
- Recipients of Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF);
- Recipients of Federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI);
- Recipients of Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled (PAAD);
- Recipients of General Assistance (GA) benefits;
- Recipients of Universal Service Fund (USF) assistance; or
- Persons unable to pay their utility bills because of circumstances beyond their control which shall include, but not be limited to unemployment, illness, medically related expenses, recent death of an immediate family member, and any other circumstances that might cause financial hardship.
Eligible households receiving utility service from separate gas and electric public utilities will see the one-time REAP credit applied to either their gas or electric utility bill, but not both.
For more information regarding REAP eligibility criteria, click here. Residents should contact their electric or gas utilities for more information regarding receipt of this one-time bill credit.
