Seniors may get some relief from heating bills BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer WOODBRIDGE - Seniors may be eligible for financial assistance to help pay for their rising heating bills. "While we are experiencing an unusually warm winter, colder weather is on the way," said Mayor John E. McCormac. "That means many low-income senior residents will face unusually high heating bills." The Woodbridge Township Office on Aging is participating in the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which is administered through the state Department of Community Affairs. The program provides funding that is available to pay for home heating oil, natural gas, electric heating, and propane and kerosene heating systems. Households, whose heating costs are included in their rent, may also be eligible for LIHEAP aid. "The LIHEAP helps directly pay for heating costs," said Township Council President Brenda Velasco. "[Another program,] the Universal Service Fund [USF] helps make utility bills affordable by providing a monthly credit on electric or natural gas bills." If any senior Woodbridge resident receives assistance from either LIHEAP or USF, it will not affect the Lifeline benefit that some seniors already receive. "In fact, qualified individuals can receive benefits from all three programs [LIHEAP, USF and Lifeline]," said Velasco. Woodbridge residents who have applied for or received LIHEAP benefits in the past should receive a renewal application by mail. First-time applicants are encouraged to call the Office of Aging at (732) 855-0600, ext. 5016 for applications and guidelines. Additionally, residents can contact the Department of Community Affairs directly at 1-800-510-3102 for LIHEAP or USF applications. Applications can also be downloaded at www.nj.gov/dca/dcr/-hea/index.shtml. The application deadline is March 31, 2007.