AMERICANS can soon see another payment toward their energy bill credits.
The program is designed to provide one automatic payment for seven months toward residents’ utility bills.
Some residents will see two credits automatically applied to their bills this month (stock photo). Credit: Getty[/caption]
New Jersey‘s program Residential Energy Assistance Payment (REAP) provides financial relief to eligible households in the state.
Those eligible will receive $25 automatically applied toward their utility bill.
The program first began in August 2025 and will run through February 2026, providing residents $175 by the program’s end.
This year’s program is different from last year, as in 2024 there was only a one-time credit of $175.
AM I ELIGIBLE?
Residents do not need to apply for the credits as they will be applied monthly to qualifying bills.
Eligibility is determined by utility companies based on enrollment data from households that were eligible for the Winter Termination Program (WTP) between November 15, 2024 and March 15, 2025.
WTP is a program that prevents utility companies from discontinuing services for eligible residents between November and March.
Utility companies use the WTP qualifications for REAP eligibility.
Some eligibility criteria include recipients of the Federal Home Energy Assistance Program, Lifeline Credit Program and Temporary Assistance To Needy Families.
Recipients of Federal Supplementary Security Income, Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled, Universal Service Fund, Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program and General Assistance benefits are also eligible.
Other qualifications include residents who are unable to pay utility bills due to circumstances beyond their control, including illness, unemployment, medical expenses or recent death of an immediate family member.
Those who are part of a local or state program that provides assistance with sewer, water or electric bills are also eligible.
New Jersey residents who receive separate utility services for gas and electric will still receive REAP credits but it will either go toward their gas or electric bill, not both.
In 2024, REAP served about 278,000 households in the state.
More energy bill credits
MORE RELIEF
The state previously announced in August that $100 in bill credits would be applied to electricity bills in September and October.
The credit would be split into $50 for each month and would be added on top of the $25 credit for those eligible for REAP benefits.
The credit would be provided to all 3.9 million New Jersey residential ratepayers with an active electric account with one of four utility companies.
The utility companies include: Public Service Electric and Gas, Atlantic City Electric, Light and Rockland Electric Company and Jersey Central Power.
The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) is hosting an event on October 1 in Passaic County to provide residents with information about the program.
“Connecting residents with information on how to bring down energy costs is a priority of the Board of Public Utilities and why we hold Utility Assistance Day events,” Christine Guhl-Sadovy, the president of NJBPU, said in a press release.
