Need Help with Your Electric Bill? JCP&L Makes it Easy to Apply for the Universal Service Fund

Rhea-AI Summary

JCP&L (NYSE: FE) is offering free, in-person help for customers who want to apply to the Universal Service Fund (USF), a year-round New Jersey program that provides monthly bill credits and a possible one-time account balance elimination through the USF Fresh Start Program. The Energy Assistance Outreach Team will assist eligible households with applications and paperwork.

A free assistance event will be held Dec. 4, 2025, 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. at Country Lakes Firehouse, 103 Firehouse Rd., Browns Mills, NJ; community partners and program resources will be available. More info at firstenergycorp.com/USF.

Company hosting free assistance event in Burlington County on Dec. 4

MORRISTOWN, N.J., Dec. 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- With many households facing financial challenges, Jersey Central Power and Light (JCP&L), a FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) company, is here to help. JCP&L's Energy Assistance Outreach Team (EAOT) provides personalized support to eligible customers applying for the Universal Service Fund (USF) – a program designed to lower monthly electric bills.

JCP&L's EAOT is a dedicated team that connects customers with bill assistance programs and partners with local organizations to raise awareness about available resources. EAOT will work directly with eligible customers to help them complete and submit USF applications. To get help, customers can attend a local utility assistance event or contact EAOT directly at firstenergycorp.com/USF.

Doug Mokoid, President, FirstEnergy New Jersey: "We understand many customers are concerned about home energy costs. We want them to know that JCP&L has their back! Our Energy Assistance Outreach Team can help customers get back on track and keep their homes comfortable." 

What is USF? 

USF is a year-round statewide program designed to help low- to moderate-income households manage their energy costs. Eligible customers receive monthly credits to make their energy bills more affordable, and qualifying participants may benefit from a one-time elimination of their account balance through the USF Fresh Start Program.

To qualify, a household must:

• Have a gross income at or below 60% of the state median income level.
• Pay more than 2% of its annual income for electricity if it does not have electric heat, or more than 4% of its annual income on electricity if it uses electric heat.

Applying for USF

Customers can visit firstenergycorp.com/USF to schedule a session with a team member to learn more about USF and receive dedicated help completing and submitting their application.

Burlington County Assistance Event

JCP&L is hosting a free utility assistance event in Burlington County on Dec. 4, 2025. The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Country Lakes Firehouse (Station 3) located at 103 Firehouse Rd., Browns Mills, NJ 08015.

EAOT team members will be on hand to assist customers with applying for USF and to provide information about additional bill assistance programs and payment plans.

Community partners will also be at the event help provide support and answer questions regarding assistance programs, including:

• New Jersey Board of Public Utilities
• New Jersey Department of Community Affairs
• New Jersey Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP)
• BoldAge PACE
• Community Affairs and Resource Center (CARC)
• Comfort Partners
• Light Up Your World
• O.C.E.A.N., Inc.
• Pinelands Family Success Center
• SHARES

Customers may also visit firstenergycorp.com/billassist to learn about additional bill assistance programs or to see if they qualify for a payment arrangement. 

JCP&L serves 1.1 million New Jersey customers in the counties of Burlington, Essex, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren. Follow JCP&L on X @JCP_L, on Facebook at facebook.com/JCPandL or online at jcp-l.com.    

FirstEnergy is dedicated to integrity, safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its electric distribution companies form one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, serving customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and New York. The company's transmission subsidiaries operate approximately 24,000 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy online at firstenergycorp.com and on X @FirstEnergyCorp.  

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

FAQ

What is the Universal Service Fund (USF) and who is eligible in New Jersey for FE customers?

USF is a year-round New Jersey program that gives monthly bill credits to low- to moderate-income households; eligibility requires gross income at or below 60% of state median and paying above specified electricity-cost thresholds.

When and where is JCP&L's free assistance event for USF applications on Dec. 4, 2025?

The event is Dec. 4, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Country Lakes Firehouse (Station 3), 103 Firehouse Rd., Browns Mills, NJ 08015.

How can FE customers schedule one-on-one help applying for USF if they cannot attend the Dec. 4 event?

Customers can schedule a session or request assistance online at firstenergycorp.com/USF to get dedicated help completing and submitting their application.

What documentation or criteria should FE customers have ready to apply for USF?

Applicants should be prepared to provide household gross income information and account and address details to demonstrate income eligibility and electricity-cost thresholds.

Does qualifying for USF include relief for past-due balances for JCP&L (FE) customers?

Qualifying participants may be eligible for a one-time elimination of their account balance through the USF Fresh Start Program.