Utility Assistance

Need Help Paying Your Utilitiy Bills?

PROCEED has been teaming up with the State Department of Community Affairs for over 25 years to provide these services for the residents of Union County. 

To schedule an appointment for a representative to assist with submitting an application please call 908-351-7727 Ext. 292

Applications may be submitted online by creating an NJ.gov account at the link below:  NJ DCAid Online Application Portal 

Low-income residents of the State of New Jersey can apply for financial assistance via the online portal or have an agency representative submit an online application to assist in paying for their heating and energy costs.  Applicants who submitted their application online should submit their UAP applciation ID to energy@proceedinc.com to begin the review process.  

To be eligible for PROCEED’s services, individuals must be residents of Union County and meet specific income guidelines and provide all required documenation.   Applicants must submit all required documetnation for the application to be in a SUBMITTED status for processing, any applications submitted with missing required documents are not considered as submitted and will not be reviewed until all required documentation is submitted. 

Required Documents

• Social Security cards for all household members **(undocumented individuals who may provide a passport)
• Renters must provide Full lease agreement (all pages) or Tenant Verification Form, or if you own you must provide a Mortgage Statement or Tax bill
• Full utility bills ( Elizabethtown Gas, PSEG, JCPL, or Oil receipt)
• Proof of INCOME for everyone over the age of 18
• Examples:
  • Pay stubs must be consecutive, provide 4 pay stubs if paid weekly, provide 2 pay stubs if paid bi-weekly or bi-monthly. 
  • Self employed individuals must provide their Schedule C Profit and Loss Statement 
  • Home owners who rent must submit Schedule E showing home expenses deductions
  • SSI, SSD, or SSA award letter, Pension paystub, General Assistance award letter from Social Services
  • For persons receiving assistance from friends or family, and have an income less than $500 a month, a Family contributions letter and the Monthly Expense Report will be required as proof of household support.

Click the link below to download required verification forms and program requirements if needed:

• Physician Certification Form
• Landlord Tenant Verification Form
• Affidavit of Zero Income
• Household Monthly Expense Report
• Required Documents List
• Fair Hearing Acknowledgement

Completed required forms must be returned to PROCEED, Inc. through any of the following methods:

1. Via email at Energy@proceedinc.com (Preferred method)
2. By Fax: 908-393-7620
3. By appointment - 1122 East Grand Street Elizabeth, NJ 07201
4.  Standard U.S. mail - 1126 Dickinson Street Elizabeth, NJ 07201  (copies only)
5. Online: https://dcaid.dca.nj.gov  (for those who have a NJ.gov user account)

Low-Income Home Energy Assistance — Heating

Clients who qualify for LIHEAP can have the cost of heating their homes deferred during the winter months. Benefits are given on a one-time per application period basis. This is not a continuing service. Applications must be filled out and submitted annually even if they were submitted the year before and the household was approved.

The application period for LIHEAP is October 1 through June 30. Households should be advised that completed applications take 4-6 weeks to process, so the sooner the completed application is submitted, the sooner the benefits will be received. 

Low-Income Home Energy Assistance — Cooling

Those eligible to receive cooling assistance must provide proof that at least one person in the household has a medical necessity for air conditioning during the summer months. Benefits are given on a one-time per application period basis. Applications must be completed every year, even if you were approved in prior years. A doctor's note must be provided to receive a $300 credit towards the cost of cooling.

The application period for the Cooling Assistance Program is October 1 through June 30.

Universal Service Fund

Households eligible to benefit from the Universal Service Fund may receive a monthly credit towards utilities costs that are above 2% of the household’s annual income. Qualifying households receive a monthly credit for twelve months that totals this cost. 

PROCEED accepts applications for the Universal Service Fund year-round. 

Recertifications

Clients who have previously applied and been approved should receive an annual recertification form via email to shorten the application process. 

If you believe you are eligible for a recertification form, and have not yet received one, or would like more information on our programs please contact us at (908) 351-7727 ext. 292 or energy@proceedinc.com.

PROCEED, Inc.
Home Energy Assistance
1122 E. Grand St.
Elizabeth, NJ 07201

Dee Perez, Program Supervisor
Email: dperez@proceedinc.com
Ph# 908-351-7727 Ext. 239