AFFORDABLE HOUSING ALLIANCE

Transcription

1 Temporary Relief for Utility Expenses (TRUE) Program Report

2 AFFORDABLE HOUSING ALLIANCE The Affordable Housing Alliance (AHA) was established in 1991 and has the mission to improve the quality of life for all New Jersey residents by developing and preserving affordable housing, by providing services to maintain housing affordability, by providing housing education, and by helping communities meet their legal and moral housing obligations. AHA has been providing housing and other support services for over 25 years and presently manages a portfolio of 400 rental units and has been awarded two tax credit funded commitments to establish 148 additional family rental units. The AHA is a certified housing counseling agency and homeowner education and financial literacy provider. AHA has been a Community Action Program administrator where emergency utility assistance makes up 25% of the requested need to those whose situation is not covered by other existing programs. AHA is a member of NeighborWorks America receiving an exemplary designation in organizational and programmatic management. AHA has been a leader in Monmouth and Ocean counties for Sandy recovery services including the development of temporary and permanent replacement housing. AHA has been providing utility assistance to New Jersey residents for over eight years administering: the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the Universal Service Fund (USF) program for Monmouth County; New Jersey Natural Gas Company s Gift of Warmth program in Monmouth and Middlesex Counties; Atlantic City Company s Helping Hands program; and - the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) Temporary Relief for Utility Expenses (TRUE) and Payment Assistance for Gas and (PAGE) programs. AHA markets its programs through a combination of personal outreach events, establishing Affiliate agencies in every county, an online dedicated website including interactive application processing, and direct mailing to thousands of potential clients. Regardless of it technological sophistication, AHA still provides caring attention to clients either in person or on the phone. AHA receives approximately 8,300 callers per month. During the past several years AHA has been audited numerous times without any internal management or expense issues. AHA is one of few agencies to receive a perfect audit of its LIHEAP operations. In addition our organization was recently awarded the Community Service from the Workplace Development Board, the Leader of Distinction from Social 2

3 Community Activities Network (SCAN), Residential Zero Energy Design from the BPU, and the Innovative Partnership of the Year for its Sandy recovery efforts from New Jersey Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NJVOAD). TEMPORARY RELIEF FOR UTILITY EXPENSE (TRUE) 1. Background After a competitive bidding process, BPU awarded AHA a $25M utility assistance grant in March 2011 for administering the TRUE program. AHA administered TRUE for six and half years until all funding was disbursed in November TRUE provided grants of up to $750 per utility company to low and moderate income households in need of assistance ($49, ,207 for a household of four). During this period of time, AHA has grown as an organization while assisting thousands of NJ residents with their utility bills. The need for utility assistance in New Jersey was strong in 2011 and it remains strong today. During the duration of the TRUE program, the AHA received close to 70,000 applications at approximately 10,000 applications per year. While the general perception is that low income households are the ones that need help, moderate income families need assistance as well. The average annual income of TRUE grant recipients was approximately $60,000. The TRUE program helped close to 25,000 households struggling to pay their bills due to circumstances such as: unemployment, underemployment, Superstorm Sandy, divorce, or persistent medical issues. Families in these situations can easily fall behind on their bills and have difficulty catching up. 2. Testimonials Over the years AHA has received quite a few accolades from our grateful clients. Here are a few from our recent client satisfaction survey completed this past summer: The program is a good program on helping families that may have run into some unexpected circumstance. I'm glad to have found AHA. 3

4 Thank you all for always being a blessing to me and my family. We appreciate you very much. We pray that God continue to bless all of you and the organization as a whole for all the other families that the organization is being a blessing to as well. Again, thank you! I just wanted to thank you for helping me get my PSE&G bill paid cause I would not have been able to do this on my own this time. I will try to stay up on my bills but sometimes things come up that are not under our control. I just want you to know you are appreciated and thank you for all you do helping people in my situation. Thank you both once again for helping us through a tough time! Your speedy resolution made this whole process a breeze. We truly appreciate the fact the True/PAGE grant is available to families like ours. I am in tears with gratitude it has really been a hard year for me but I am grateful and I thank you and I thank God above all for helping me and my son I also work in Human Services Social Services to help people and I make it my business each day to do my best to help these people that are in need because I understand what it feels like to be in need.. thanks again so much and have a blessed day I am very grateful for the assistance with my electric and gas bills. Being a single parent with a modest income, and trying to keep everything paid by myself, is very difficult. I truly appreciate the help. Thank you. I was very grateful for the help I received toward my electric bill. It was the first time I have ever applied for help, and it came just in time to keep my electric on. Thank you. I was extremely impressed that there was a program for middle income families! This program was beneficial during a difficult time of need. It was greatly appreciated! Thank you again. This is a great program and greatly appreciated and needed in my community. Thank you all so very much for assisting in such hard financial times. Your program (s) is a life saver. It's very helpful and quick. Without you I don't know what I would have done The TRUE/Page program has always been a lifesaver for us. My husband works but I am at home. We now have a college student (son) and an upcoming high school student (daughter) and bills can pile up quickly. Thanks for all of your help. Truly a blessing for our family. We applied and were accepted to be part of the TRUE Grant program and it was a blessing. We are so grateful for the assistance given to us through these programs. It is just enough to help us through a difficult financial time and we are very thankful for that. 4

5 3. Making TRUE a User-Friendly and Efficient Assistance Program From day one of the TRUE program, AHA has had a simple goal: to award funds to qualified New Jersey residents as quickly as possible, while minimizing customer stress and confusion. There were several challenges that AHA needed to address in order to accomplish this goal. First, there are many available utility assistance programs in New Jersey including Lifeline, LIHEAP, USF, Gift of Warmth, NJSHARES, Helping Hands, and the PAGE program. While it is beneficial for New Jersey residents to have a multitude of assistance programs, each addressing a unique population sector, it can also be confusing for the average person to navigate through all these programs in order to determine the right one for them. AHA recognized this issue and worked hard to make the process as simple as possible for the applicant. AHA reorganized internally, developed state-of-the art systems, streamlined its operational procedures and offered multiple ways to submit an application. All this was done in order to simplify the application process and minimize applicant stress and confusion. The end result was a one-stop shop for clients. Clients can go to any AHA office or to one of the many TRUE Affiliate offices throughout the state and be guided to the utility assistance program(s) for which they qualify. Alternatively, a client can call a single number for utility assistance and be directed to the correct program. Finally, the client can go to a single website, to seek information on all available utility assistance programs. Furthermore, from this website the client can answer some simple screening questions to determine program eligibility. Other enhancements were made throughout the life of the TRUE program, all with one goal in mind: improving customer experience and satisfaction: Immediate application acceptance: Paper applications were accepted in March 2011 immediately after AHA was awarded the program. AHA did not make clients wait for the official system to be up and running, which happened in June Spanish applications: Spanish applications were made available within months after initial program launch. A Spanish section was also added to the website. Application Status Tracker: After receiving large volumes of calls from clients seeking the status of their applications, AHA introduced an online application tracker. 5

6 Single form: Clients can be easily overwhelmed with so many different programs. AHA tried to alleviate this by using a single streamlined application for TRUE and PAGE programs. Program modification: In October 2012, BPU granted AHA permission to make TRUE an annual program instead of a one-time program. Our data shows that this has allowed AHA to help many families multiple times. The initial TRUE program eligibility requirement of four good faith payments to the applicant s utility companies was replaced with two payments. This was done after AHA determined that too many needy and otherwise qualified clients were being declined due to this requirement. Knowledgeable, Helpful, & Compassionate Counselors: Bilingual. Counselors coordinate with the utility companies to ensure that no qualified client has their service disconnected. Survey results reveal the gratitude that clients have for the counselors who helped them through the process. AHA measures its own performance by doing client surveys. At least one survey has been conducted annually during the TRUE program and on average 80% of the respondents are Satisfied, Very Satisfied, or Extremely Satisfied with the overall experience. 4. Creating Statewide Awareness of the TRUE Program Another significant challenge that AHA faced with TRUE was creating program awareness within the target market. Initially, significant marketing dollars were spent on traditional radio advertising, digital newspaper advertising, and Google Adword campaigns. But AHA soon realized that this would quickly become cost prohibitive not to mention it was a gunshot approach to reach a very specific population. AHA quickly developed a new marketing strategy which was much more targeted and much more financially sustainable. This required the following: 6

7 Forging strong partnerships with key players Leveraging existing AHA resources and connections 4.1 Forging Strong Partnerships with Key Players: Utility Companies AHA has continuously worked to maintain a strong partnership with the seven utility companies in New Jersey in order to optimally serve the common client base. 1 Partnership activities and initiatives include: Marketing efforts The utility companies know which customers are having difficulty paying their bills and have not received grants from the low-income programs (USF and LIHEAP) and therefore would benefit from the TRUE program. o TRUE-specific initiatives: AHA worked closely with the utility companies, especially their collections departments, to send out TRUE-specific messages in the form of , calls and paper mail to their clients with outstanding balances. In 2017 approximately 500,000 of these messages have been sent out to delinquent customers. o TRUE has been included as part of all utility company assistance program messaging. This includes utility company websites, general newsletters, door hangers, etc. o Outreach events AHA is present at outreach events with utility companies accepting applications on site. AHA will attend close to 200 Events in o Radio At the request of the utility companies, AHA periodically has participated in radio programs to discuss TRUE. Planning Sessions AHA hosts planning sessions with the utility companies on a regular basis. During these sessions, the program performance is reviewed, suggestions are made, and ideas are exchanged to increase funds distribution. 1 Public Service and Gas Company, Atlantic City Company, Jersey Central Power and Light Company, Rockland Company, New Jersey Natural Gas Company, South Jersey Gas Company and Elizabethtown Gas Company. 7

8 Monthly Performance Reports Each utility company s performance in terms of outreach efforts and the corresponding number of TRUE grants received is shared with all seven companies, along with all TRUE marketing initiatives. AHA engages utility companies during the application approval process to minimize/avoid customer service disruption AHA has specific contacts with each utility company to ensure timely communication. The utility personnel are contacted as soon as a client qualifies for a TRUE grant so that AHA can negotiate the restoration process and also avoid a disconnection if one is pending. 4.2 Forging Strong Partnerships with Key Players: Affiliates Since 2011, many agencies have been added as TRUE Program Affiliates. Currently there are 23 Affiliates throughout the state and new ones are added in one of the following ways: Agency approaches AHA and AHA feels that the agency has the ability to support the TRUE program with respect to staff and resources. AHA seeks out agencies who it determines would serve TRUE clients well. This could be due to their geographic coverage, common client base, etc. Utility companies suggest an agency to AHA. Since 2011, several agencies have also stopped being a TRUE Affiliate. This is usually due to the Affiliate not producing the desired results (in which case AHA terminates the relationship) or the Affiliate is no longer interested in processing TRUE applications. AHA has a well-established process with establishing a TRUE Affiliate: On-site initial meeting during which AHA provides explanation of the TRUE program and the partnership requirements to the potential affiliate. AHA provides an on-site training regarding program requirements, processing procedures and an overview of the database system. AHA provides annual on-site training visits and more on an as-needed basis, or per the affiliate s request. AHA staff is present at local outreach events hosted by the Affiliate, whenever a request is made. 8

9 Quality control measures are in place. AHA is available to answer any Affiliate questions and address any concerns. AHA also monitors Affiliate performance and follows up on any issues with additional training when necessary. AHA recently completed an Affiliate survey and is in the process of following up on program improvements suggested by the affiliates. 4.3 Forging Strong Partnerships with Key Players: Legislative Districts AHA believes that legislative offices are instrumental in helping create awareness of the TRUE program among their constituents and in helping constituents complete and submit applications. Therefore, over the past six years AHA has hosted five Legislative Days during which TRUE training is conducted. A few legislative offices serve as TRUE intake locations where clients can walk in and complete an application. TRUE program information packets are periodically sent out to the districts and AHA remains available to provide information about the organization s services to any district upon request or participate in any legislative event. 9

10 4.4 Forging Strong Partnerships with Key Players: Community Organizations Over the last several years, AHA has partnered with many local community organizations whose members would benefit from TRUE. Below are some of the organizations AHA has partnered with in Community Partners 180 Turning Lives Around, Inc Little Egg Community Center AARP Local 54 ACE & Family Success Center of Cape May Lunch Break ACT NOW Foundation Mental Health Antipoverty Network Monmouth County Social Services Asbury Park Police Department Monmouth day Care Center Bayshore Family Success Center Monmouth Mall Brick Library Monmouth y Sheriff's Office Burlington County CAP Neptune Murc Catholic Charities & ACE Neptune Police Department City of Asbury Neptune Township Clinton Chapel NEUAC Conference Community Network Association of Passaic New Day Family Success Center Community Network Association of Hudson NJ State League of Municipalities DCA North Hudson Community Action Corporation Resources for Monmouth county families & DELIVERANCE TEMPLE children Festival Committee Chair Rowan College Food Bank of South Jersey SCAN Freehold Borough The Homeownership Event Health Resource Fair The Red Bank American Youth Football, Inc Horizon Blue Cross and Blue Shield Union Beach Borough Hall HSAC Meeting United Way JBJ Soul Kitchen Veterans & DAV Retired Educators The World of the Latino Cuisine Keyport NJ Carpenters 4.5 Utilizing AHA s Resources While partnering with the key players has been critical to the success of the TRUE program, AHA has sought out activities and initiative that could be done independently to maximize program awareness and funds distribution. Examples of these initiatives include: ing AHA s housing clients about the TRUE program. Partnering with Department of Community Affairs to reach clients found ineligible for the low income utility assistance programs. 10

11 Providing outreach to past TRUE recipients who may apply again if still in need. Proactively reaching out to clients who are close to completing their application to ensure that the client follows through. Proactively reaching out to clients who don t qualify for TRUE because of a missing utility payment and encouraging them to make the payment. Marketing: Over the years, AHA has taken advantage of many low cost or no cost marketing/public relations opportunities. Examples include: o Comcast Newsmaker 10 minute interview with AHA management discussing the program ( ) o Newspaper articles in local publications. o Housing Outreach events TRUE applications are always sent to all AHA outreach events even if the focus is not utility assistance. o Facebook advertisement of the program or specific outreach events. Opening new offices. Over the years AHA has added new offices throughout Monmouth County and has partnered with the Food Bank of Monmouth and Ocean counties in Toms River which can support more walk in clients. AHA will be opening its first Ocean County office at the end of 2017 which will be supporting utility assistance programs as are all AHA offices. 5. TRUE Grant Eligibility Requirements There are several key eligibility requirements for TRUE. Eligible applicants must: Be within the Income Eligibility Bracket; Be a NJ resident and customer of one of the seven participating regulated utility companies; Not be eligible for or enrolled in USF or LIHEAP; Have a history of making good faith payments toward utility bills and have an outstanding overdue balance; and Provide all required documentation to substantiate the above requirements. 11

12 Income Requirements The TRUE minimum income requirement is$1 above the maximum income guidelines for LIHEAP. By having the minimum guidelines begin at $1 above the LIHEAP maximum, it ensures that the applicant does not qualify for the low-income utility assistance program and it also prevents an income gap between assistance programs. The maximum income for TRUE is the median income for the state of New Jersey. These income guidelines change every heating season to match the timing of the changing LIHEAP income guidelines and updated state median income. Effective October 1, 2017, annual income per client household size must fall within the following range: Household Size Min. Annual Income Max. Annual Income 1 Person 2 Person 3 Person 4 Person 5 Person 6 Person 7 Person 8 Person 9 Person $24,132 $32,496 $40,860 $49,212 $57,576 $65,940 $74,292 $82,656 $91,020 $57,307 $74,940 $92,573 $110,207 $127,840 $145,473 $148,778 $152,085 $155,392 Past Due Utility Account Requirement Applicants must demonstrate that the gas and/or electric account is past due and/or have received a disconnection notice by submitting a copy of the most recent utility bill. Clients who have already been disconnected could qualify for a grant as long as the amount of the grant would result in restoration of service. Any additional balance amount required by the utility company to restore service would need to be borne by the applicant. Payment History Requirement Utility billing should also indicate that the applicant has made at least two payments to the utility company for which they are seeking a grant of at least $25 within the last six months or $75 in the past 90 days ($150 combined utility). The purpose of setting this requirement was to help delinquent customers establish payment compliance with their utility companies. 12

13 LIHEAP/USF Requirement As required by the BPU, AHA verified the applicant had not received or was not eligible for a USF or LIHEAP benefit. This is because clients in need sometimes adjust household size and income to qualify for multiple assistance programs. Asset Requirement Applicant must have less than $15, in liquid assets (e.g. savings, stocks and bonds) in order to qualify for TRUE. However, exceptions were sometimes made by appeal for extenuating circumstances. Utility Assistance Required Documentation All standard supporting documents were required to prove that TRUE applicants met income requirements, was a NJ resident, was a legal US resident, and lived in the house for which they are seeking utility assistance. Clients provided copies of the following documentation: Copy of a valid New Jersey driver s license with current address for the main applicant or a New Jersey State ID card Copy of social security card(s) for all household members Copy of the prior year federal tax return (1 st and 2 nd page) Proof of income for all household members above the age of 18 o If you get paid weekly: 4 most recent consecutive paystubs o If you get paid biweekly: 2 most recent consecutive paystubs o Social Security: Copy of 2015 letter or latest bank statement o Pension: Copy of recent monthly statement o If the person does not have any income they must write a letter stating I, (name), certify that I have zero income. The letter must be signed and dated. o If the person is a full time student, they need to provide current school schedule showing a minimum of 12 credits. Proof of Residency: o If you own: copy of current mortgage statement, tax bill or Deed 13

14 o If you rent: Copy of the current lease or letter from the landlord Copy of the most recent gas and electric bill Proof of payments on the gas and electric bill 14

15 Temporary Relief for Utility Expenses (TRUE) Program Report: Attachments

16 Applications by County and Utility March 2011 December 2011 County Applications by County 2011 Utility Co. Applications by Utility Co. Atlantic 457 Elizabethtown Gas 377 Bergen 602 New Jersey Natural Gas Co. 762 Burlington 958 Other 47 Camden 1,012 PSE&G 8,939 Cape May 75 South Jersey Gas 452 Cumberland 182 Atlantic City 839 Essex 2,006 JCP&L 1,906 Gloucester 422 Rockland 31 Hudson 806 Total 13,353 Hunterdon 90 Mercer 857 Middlesex 1,174 Monmouth 1,209 Morris 275 Ocean 985 Passaic 639 Salem 111 Somerset 351 Sussex 166 Union 840 Warren 136 Total 13,353 16

17 Applications by County and Utility County Applications by County Utility Co. Applications by Utility Co. Atlantic 239 Elizabethtown Gas 336 Bergen 536 New Jersey Natural Gas Co. 486 Burlington 779 Other 30 Camden 866 PSE&G 7,604 Cape May 52 South Jersey Gas 281 Cumberland 128 Atlantic City 547 Essex 1,590 JCP&L 1,355 Gloucester 283 Rockland 23 Hudson 711 Total 10,663 Hunterdon 75 Mercer 641 Middlesex 895 Monmouth 763 Morris 305 Ocean 699 Passaic 629 Salem 67 Somerset 335 Sussex 138 Union 805 Warren 127 Total 10,663 17

18 Applications by County and Utility County Applications by County Utility Co. Applications by Utility Co. Atlantic 349 Elizabethtown Gas 350 Bergen 583 New Jersey Natural Gas Co. 452 Burlington 905 Other 26 Camden 1,022 PSE&G 8,472 Cape May 46 South Jersey Gas 425 Cumberland 150 Atlantic City 663 Essex 1,858 JCP&L 868 Gloucester 400 Rockland 12 Hudson 781 Total 11,268 Hunterdon 47 Mercer 784 Middlesex 866 Monmouth 696 Morris 200 Ocean 478 Passaic 683 Salem 74 Somerset 328 Sussex 69 Union 886 Warren 63 Total 11,268 18

19 Applications by County and Utility County Applications by County Utility Co. Applications by Utility Co. Atlantic 340 Elizabethtown Gas 366 Bergen 522 New Jersey Natural Gas Co. 594 Burlington 858 Other 26 Camden 949 PSE&G 7,700 Cape May 52 South Jersey Gas 478 Cumberland 177 Atlantic City 652 Essex 1,622 JCP&L 943 Gloucester 315 Rockland 16 Hudson 788 Total 10,774 Hunterdon 52 Mercer 697 Middlesex 789 Monmouth 784 Morris 219 Ocean 563 Passaic 714 Salem 92 Somerset 311 Sussex 67 Union 774 Warren 89 Total 10,774 19

20 Applications by County and Utility County Applications by County Utility Co. Applications by Utility Co. Atlantic 273 Elizabethtown Gas 211 Bergen 435 New Jersey Natural Gas Co. 367 Burlington 529 Other 15 Camden 682 PSE&G 4,953 Cape May 33 South Jersey Gas 387 Cumberland 95 Atlantic City 481 Essex 1,016 JCP&L 568 Gloucester 263 Rockland 10 Hudson 517 Total 6,990 Hunterdon 27 Mercer 439 Middlesex 499 Monmouth 475 Morris 98 Ocean 334 Passaic 433 Salem 66 Somerset 201 Sussex 38 Union 507 Warren 30 Total 6,990 20

21 Applications by County and Utility County Applications by County Utility Co. Applications by Utility Co. Atlantic 779 Elizabethtown Gas 238 Bergen 440 New Jersey Natural Gas Co. 457 Burlington 537 Other 26 Camden 1,102 PSE&G 5,183 Cape May 147 South Jersey Gas 785 Cumberland 288 Atlantic City 1,552 Essex 1,029 JCP&L 829 Gloucester 547 Rockland 8 Hudson 540 Total 9,077 Hunterdon 37 Mercer 374 Middlesex 580 Monmouth 650 Morris 92 Ocean 534 Passaic 388 Salem 193 Somerset 171 Sussex 51 Union 534 Warren 65 Total 9,077 21

22 Applications by County and Utility January 2017 October County Applications by County Utility Co. Applications by Utility Co. Atlantic 482 Elizabethtown Gas 143 Bergen 415 New Jersey Natural Gas Co. 359 Burlington 489 Other 15 Camden 781 PSE&G 4,773 Cape May 85 South Jersey Gas 480 Cumberland 136 Atlantic City 879 Essex 1,094 JCP&L 611 Gloucester 362 Rockland 11 Hudson 481 Total 7,271 Hunterdon 15 Mercer 412 Middlesex 475 Monmouth 469 Morris 86 Ocean 392 Passaic 351 Salem 113 Somerset 164 Sussex 45 Union 387 Warren 37 Total 7,271 22

23 Dollar Amount of & Number of by County March 2011 December 2011 Note: Total Gas & and No. of Gas & indicates a household receiving both electric and gas service from PSE&G No. of No. of Gas No. of Gas & Avg Avg. Gas & County Total Total Gas Total Gas & Avg. Gas Atlantic $116,067 $40, $585 $476 $905 Bergen $20,508 $5,682 $156, Burlington $79,376 $6,551 $282, Camden $164,649 $65,255 $202, Cape May $14,384 $2, Cumberland $37,906 $13, Essex $31,624 $1,842 $770, Gloucester $85,757 $30,683 $35, Hudson $8,256 $623 $205, Hunterdon $14,292 $3, Mercer $34,367 $7,216 $300, Middlesex $118,765 $36,456 $170, Monmouth $263,039 $157,845 $3, Morris $58,030 $21,328 $2, Not Avail $342 1 Ocean $212,622 $72, Passaic $12,771 $4,019 $150, Salem $20,863 $2, Somerset $21,307 $2,811 $115, Sussex $32,540 $2, Union $101,339 $62,097 $84, Warren $22,364 $2, Total $1,470,826 $543,307 $2,480,564 2,516 1,141 2,741 $4,494,697 6,398 23

24 Dollar Amount of and Number of by County 2012 Note: Total Gas & and No. of Gas & indicates a household receiving both electric and gas service from PSE&G No. of No. of Gas No. of Gas & Avg Avg. Gas & County Total Total Gas Total Gas & Avg. Gas Atlantic $77,462 $20, $566 $439 $834 Bergen $18,381 $3,183 $167, Burlington $67,262 $5,848 $254, Camden $106,997 $37,726 $177, Cape May $13,314 $1, Cumberland $26,793 $8, Essex $25,081 $2,403 $551, Gloucester $46,659 $16,870 $26, Hudson $8,743 $750 $175, Hunterdon $20,006 $2, Mercer $17,780 $1,720 $217, Middlesex $105,844 $35,936 $108, Monmouth $195,965 $80,535 $2, Morris $61,862 $14, Ocean $189,311 $64, Passaic $11,818 $4,292 $163, Salem $17,993 $2, Somerset $24,816 $3,991 $123, Sussex $40,191 $1, Union $99,387 $49,199 $75, Warren $28,544 $6,335 $ Total $1,204,205 $364,511 $2,044,985 2, ,452 $3,613,701 5,409 24

25 Dollar Amount of and Number of by County 2013 Note: Total Gas & and No. of Gas & indicates a household receiving both electric and gas service from PSE&G No. of No. of Gas No. of Gas & Avg Avg. Gas & County Total Total Gas Total Gas & Avg. Gas Atlantic $86,149 $32, $589 $537 $891 Bergen $18,276 $4,257 $188, Burlington $72,488 $10,147 $402, Camden $113,181 $57,851 $195, Cape May $14,509 $1, Cumberland $36,892 $11, Essex $36,838 $1,923 $716, Gloucester $76,109 $34,275 $36, Hudson $12,413 $236 $209, Hunterdon $16,632 $3, Mercer $19,197 $486 $319, Middlesex $98,587 $42,736 $141, Monmouth $150,588 $122,417 $2, Morris $48,242 $23, Not Avail $1,990 $437 $ Ocean $120,649 $79, Passaic $10,059 $5,971 $225, Salem $19,344 $5, Somerset $15,740 $3,064 $115, Sussex $26,231 $ Union $106,064 $68,119 $73, Warren $17,006 $2, Total $1,117,184 $513,007 $2,628, $4,258,785 5,803 25

26 Dollar Amount of and Number of by County 2014 Note: Total Gas & and No. of Gas & indicates a household receiving both electric and gas service from PSE&G No. of No. of Gas No. of Gas & Avg Avg. Gas & County Total Total Gas Total Gas & Avg. Gas Atlantic $15,831 $8, $589 $568 $874 Bergen $11,984 $630 $111, Burlington $40,808 $3,961 $194, Camden $48,776 $24,877 $78, Cape May $5,901 9 Cumberland $19,198 $7, Essex $16,164 $1,188 $263, Gloucester $18,817 $12,981 $18, Hudson $3,352 $120, Hunterdon $12,079 $1,884 $ Mercer $13,161 $1,703 $147, Middlesex $42,163 $15,880 $62, Monmouth $64,679 $50,894 $1, Morris $33,672 $16, Not Avail $593 $2, Ocean $51,401 $31, Passaic $7,346 $1,366 $106, Salem $6,310 $2, Somerset $8,381 $51, Sussex $8,879 $1, Union $37,037 $31,730 $32, Warren $5,649 $2, Total $471,583 $218,584 $1,191, ,363 1,881,972 2,549 26

27 Dollar Amount of and Number of by County No. of No. of Gas No. of Gas & Avg Avg. Gas & County Total Total Gas Total Gas & Avg. Gas Atlantic $8,604 $5, $594 $542 $852 Bergen $4,052 $750 $19, Burlington $9,470 $1,500 $34, Camden $6,019 $1,143 $17, Cape May $1,440 2 Cumberland $1,132 $ Essex $4,999 $468 $32, Gloucester $4,973 $4,496 $ Hudson $17, Hunterdon $2,250 3 Mercer $1,404 $19, Middlesex $18,252 $1,526 $10, Monmouth $13,451 $8, Morris $4,111 $ Not Avail $479 1 Ocean $8,022 $3, Passaic $1,798 $11, Salem $2,920 4 Somerset $2,989 $750 $6, Sussex $2,863 5 Union $10,120 $3,651 $3, Warren $1,170 2 Total $110,516 $32,542 $172, $315, Note: Total Gas & and No. of Gas & indicates a household receiving both electric and gas service from PSE&G. 27

28 Dollar Amount of and Number of by County 2016 Note: Total Gas & and No. of Gas & indicates a household receiving both electric and gas service from PSE&G No. of No. of Gas No. of Gas & Avg Avg. Gas & County Total Total Gas Total Gas & Avg. Gas Atlantic $132,079 $59, $625 $471 $869 Bergen $22,837 $1,602 $132, Burlington $32,597 $4,356 $118, Camden $155,871 $63,921 $72, Cape May $18,932 $2, Cumberland $38,684 $13, Essex $14,249 $750 $286, Gloucester $113,195 $41,637 $23, Hudson $7,872 $139, Hunterdon $6,062 $ Mercer $12,645 $268 $109, Middlesex $58,906 $19,581 $87, Monmouth $122,732 $78,098 $1, Morris $19,844 $7, Ocean $117,055 $44, Passaic $9,630 $1,398 $90, Salem $34,267 $7,368 $1, Somerset $10,825 $3,052 $48, Sussex $10,423 $ Union $78,155 $39,221 $29, Warren $14,477 $1, #N/A $1,410 2 Total $1,031,337 $392,142 $1,142, $2,565,870 3,796 28

29 Dollar Amount of and Number of by County January 2017 October 2017 Note: Total Gas & and No. of Gas & indicates a household receiving both electric and gas service from PSE&G No. of No. of Gas No. of Gas & Avg Avg. Gas & County Total Total Gas Total Gas & Avg. Gas Atlantic $45, $605 $483 $928 Bergen $22,672 $3,078 $142, Burlington $30,677 $5,920 $162, Camden $149,170 $78,215 $91, Cape May $18,333 $2, Cumberland $28,691 $6, Essex $24,475 $225 $354, Gloucester $85,746 $39,262 $17, Hudson $12,171 $408 $166, Hunterdon $3,750 $ Mercer $15,295 $765 $158, Middlesex $63,574 $24,380 $76, Monmouth $110,162 $79, Morris $15,070 $12, Ocean $50, Passaic $8,762 $3,514 $102, Salem $34,487 $9,408 $ Somerset $11,160 $2,544 $56, Sussex $12,423 $ Union $61,328 $34,939 $38, Warren $8,227 $1, Total $916,203 $402,417 $1,368, $2,686,889 3,822 29

30 Dollar Amounts & Number of TRUE by Utility Company March 2011 Dec Utility Name Total Utility Name Total Gas Gas Utility Name Total Gas & ACE $403, ETG $ 80, PSE&G $ 2,480,564 2,741 JCP&L $696,807 1,206 NJNG $ 237, PSE&G $362, PSE&G $ 66, RE $7, SJG $ 158, Total $1,470,826 2,516 Total $543,307 1,141 $4,494,697 6, Utility Name Total Utility Name Total Gas Gas Utility Name Total Gas & ACE $271, ETG $74, PSE&G $2,044,985 2,452 JCP&L $618,571 1,116 NJNG $155, PSE&G $308, PSE&G $44, RE $5, SJG $90, Total $1,204,205 2,126 Total $364, $3,613,701 5,409 Note: Gas & indicates number of households who received a combined electric and gas grant, with PSE&G providing both electric and gas service. 30

31 Dollar Amounts and Number of TRUE by Utility Company Utility Name Total Utility Name Total Gas Gas Utility Name Total Gas & ACE $325, ETG $95, PSEG 2,628,594 2,949 JCP&L $423, NJNG $218, PSE&G $364, PSE&G $49, RE $3,723 7 SJG $149, Total $1,117,184 1,898 Total $513, $4,258,785 5, Utility Name Total Utility Name Total Gas Gas Utility Name Total Gas & ACE $99, ETG $49, PSEG $1,191,804 1,363 JCP&L $195, NJNG $97, PSE&G $175, PSE&G $13, RE $1,615 4 SJG $58, Total $471, Total $218, $1,881,972 2,549 Note: Gas & indicates number of households who received a combined electric and gas grant, with PSE&G providing both electric and gas service. 31

32 Dollar Amounts and Number of TRUE by Utility Company Utility Name Total Utility Name Total Gas Gas Utility Name Total Gas & ACE $23, ETG $4, PSEG 172, JCP&L $37, NJNG $12, PSE&G $48, PSE&G $2,307 4 RE $750 1 SJG $12, Total $110, Total $32, , Utility Name Total Utility Name Total Gas Gas Utility Name Total Gas & ACE $474, ETG $54, PSEG $1,142,390 1,315 JCP&L $298, NJNG $127, PSE&G $257, PSE&G $18, RE $1,670 3 SJG $192, Total $1,031,337 1,649 Total $392, $2,565,870 3,796 Note: Gas & indicates number of households who received a combined electric and gas grant, with PSE&G providing both electric and gas service. 32

33 Dollar Amounts & Number of TRUE by Utility Company January 2017 Oct Utility Name Total Utility Name Total Gas Gas Utility Name Total Gas & ACE $418, ETG $44, PSEG $1,368,268 1,474 JCP&L $258, NJNG $137, PSE&G $235, PSE&G $34, RE $3,840 7 SJG $185, Total $916,203 1,514 Total $402, $2,686,889 3,822 Note: Gas & indicates number of households who received a combined electric and gas grant, with PSE&G providing both electric and gas service. 33

34 Households Assisted, Average Income of TRUE Recipients & Statistics of Denied Applicants (March 2011 December 2014 Year Total No. of Household s Assisted Average Income of Households Assisted ,604 $54,012 Denial Denied Applicants Reason Top Denial Reason % Applied for or Receiving Universal Service Fund/Home Energy Assistance 47% Under Minimum Income Requirement 25% Customer has not paid at least 4 payments of $25 each in last 6 months 9% Over Maximum Income Requirement 6% ,715 $55,364 Applied for or Receiving USF/HEA 41% Under Minimum Income Requirement 25% Customer has not paid at least 4 payments of $25 each in last 6 months 18% Over Maximum Income Requirement 6% ,144 $56,062 Applied for or Receiving USF/HEA 37% Under Minimum Income Requirement 31% Customer has not paid at least 4 payments of $25 each in last 6 months 17% Over Maximum Income Requirement 6% ,301 $57,030 Under Minimum Income Requirement 45% Applied for or Receiving USF/HEA 32% Over Maximum Income Requirement 6% Over 10K in Assets 6% Customer has not paid at least 4 payments of $25 each in last 6 months 5% 34

35 Households Assisted, Average Income of TRUE Recipients & Statistics of Denied Applicants (January October 2017) Year Households Assisted Average Income of Households Assisted Denied Applicants Top Denial Reason Denial Reason % $57,661 Applied for or Receiving Universal Service Fund/Home Energy Assistance 33% Under Minimum Income Requirement 34% Over Maximum Income Requirement 6% Over 10K in Assets 6% Past True/Page Recipient 4% ,130 $59,240 Under Minimum Income Requirement 49% Applied for or Receiving USF/HEA 27% Over Maximum Income Requirement 5% Not 45 days Past Due 5% Over 10K in Assets 3% ,071 $59,361 Under Minimum Income Requirement 49% Applied for or Receiving USF/HEA 24% Not 45 days Past Due 6% Over Maximum Income Requirement 4% Past True/Page Recipient 3% Total 24, The low number of assisted households in 2015 is due to the first TRUE contract between the Board of Public Utilities and the Affordable Housing Alliance (AHA) expiring in mid-march After a competitive bidding process, the remaining funding amount of $6.3M was awarded again to the AHA which resumed administration of the program in late October Total number of households assisted (24,380) does not match total number of grants provided (28,226) due to some households receiving grants on two separate gas and electric utility accounts. 35