Robert Kushner, left, with worker David McConnell, urges many of his heating oil customers to participate in New Jersey’s Low Income Energy Assistance Program. Photo by Stephen Mallon

When Robert Kushner talks with his customers in the Trenton area, he often tries to sell more than his company’s main item—home heating oil. He also pitches LIHEAP.

People who participate in New Jersey’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program don’t have to make the hard choice each winter of “do I eat or do I stay warm,” said Kushner, who owns Budny Fuel Oil Co.

Amid high unemployment and gyrating energy costs, the federally funded LIHEAP is a winter haven for homeowners as well as renters who pay their own heating bills. Last year, more than 285,000 New Jersey families received LIHEAP energy benefits, and thousands more received LIHEAP emergency aid, according to Lisa Ryan, spokeswoman for the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, which administers the energy assistance programs.

The state expects to get about $188 million from the federal government this winter, roughly the same as last year. But Ryan is bracing for an increase of 15 percent more families who need aid because of the tough economy.

Last year AARP New Jersey lobbied to change the rules about who can receive energy aid. With the less-restrictive income rules, single people could earn up to $2,031 a month, and a family of four up to $4,135 a month, and still qualify for aid.

This year’s income rules are expected to be about the same.

It’s a lot easier for families to apply for LIHEAP these days after the state made eligibility rules the same for several low-income assistance programs. Since LIHEAP’s maximum income levels now match New Jersey’s prescription drug assistance program, known as PAAD, and New Jersey’s food stamp program, anyone enrolled in those programs is automatically enrolled for LIHEAP benefits.

The state credits these changes for the automatic enrollment of 50,000 more households during the past heating season.

The amount of the LIHEAP benefit is determined by income, household size, fuel type, and what part of the state you live in.

If you heat with gas or electricity, payments may go directly to your utility company. Households directly responsible to a fuel supplier for payment of home heating costs usually receive a check made out to both the applicant and the fuel supplier. Households whose heating costs are included in their rent receive checks made out to the applicant.

The average LIHEAP benefit last year for households heated by deliverable fuels such as heating oil, coal and propane was $1,524 for the season. Those heated by natural gas received an average of $461. Those heated by electricity got an average of $644. Customers of gas and electric utilities can get additional benefits under New Jersey’s Universal Service Fund, a companion state program that is included in the LIHEAP application process.

“In the past, the vast majority of New Jerseyans 50 and older who could have received heating assistance had not even applied, partly because of an arduous application process,” said Jim Dieterle, AARP New Jersey’s senior state director.

Families that are not automatically enrolled must apply for New Jersey LIHEAP benefits in person through local agency offices or call 1-800-510-3102; they also have to be recertified each year.

To apply, families must submit Social Security cards for all household members, pay stubs, copies of checks and benefit statements from Social Security and other sources, bank statements, copies of rent receipts or home deeds, energy bills and other documents.

Doug Hulette is a freelance writer based in Lawrenceville, N.J.