Help to Pay Utility Bills in Tough Times

WILDWOOD — What happens if you lose your job or another personal crisis finds you unable to pay your heating bill?
New Jersey SHARES, a non-profit organization, helps households that have fallen behind on their utility bills due to a temporary financial crisis.
NJ SHARES provide assistance to households that are not eligible for other types of public assistance. Applicants must demonstrate a temporary financial need and a history of good-faith payments to their energy provider.
NJ SHARES can assist with up to $700 for gas, up to $300 for electric or up to $700 for electrically heated homes. A board of directors approves grants.
NJ SHARES Executive Director Jim Jacob told the Herald said the program is designed for “folks who make a dollar too much and don’t qualify for anything.”
“We work with a lot of working families, a lot of fixed income households, a lot of individuals having a tough time…” said Jacob.
Since 1988, NJ SHARES has helped more than 137,000 persons statewide.
During the first four months of 2008, NJ SHARES saw more applicants that it had in 10 years of operation at that time of year, he said. Funding is available in this county, said Jacob.
He said the organization has helped about 120 households in Cape May County for a total of approximately $37,000, so far this year.
Working with Verizon, a program is available to help low income persons get discount phone service.
Assistance is also available for oil heat and propane on a limited basis.
In Cape May County, those in need can apply for a NJ SHARES grant in person at Cape Human Resources, 4005 Route 9 South, Rio Grande, phone 609-465-4531. In Woodbine, the Puerto Rican Action Committee may be contacted at (609) 861-5800.
A typical scenario for someone needing a NJ SHARES grant is a person that has been paying their utility bills on a regular basis but a household member loses their job or has their hours cut significantly or a faces a health crisis where insurance does not cover all expenses, said Jacob.
Utility bills may exceed what a senior citizen on Social Security and a pension can handle.
“We don’t want them to make a choice between taking their medicine or cutting pills in half to be able to pay their energy bills,” said Jacob.
He said NJ SHARES doesn’t want families having to choose between buying food or paying their utility bills.
Jacob said most people who apply for a grant use it once and typically a year or two later, their situation has been resolved. A number of people who have been helped, later become contributors, he said.
NJ SHARES accepts donations so neighbors can help neighbors, he said. Contributions may be sent to NJ SHARES, 1901 North Olden Avenue Extension, Suite 1A, Ewing, NJ 08618 or from their Web site: www.njshares.org.
By notifying NJ SHARES you are an Atlantic City Electric or South Jersey Gas customer, the utility will match your donation, said Jacob.
He said 100 percent of contributions made to NJ SHARES go out as grants since foundations and other partners fund the organization’s administrative expenses.
NJ SHARES is run by a board of directors comprised of representatives of the state’s major energy providers such as Conectiv and South Jersey Gas Company and non-profit organizations including the American Association of Retired Persons, American Red Cross, Catholic Charities and the Salvation Army.