The County of Mercer will accept applications for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) until Wednesday, June 30, 2021. The County will continue accepting applications for the Universal Service Fund (USF) Program throughout the year. Residents who pay their own heating costs, and meet the income guidelines, may be eligible to receive financial assistance with their winter heating bill. Residents with medical conditions may also be eligible to receive cooling assistance.

The United States Treasury has just launched a new website to help renters find local emergency rental assistance programs. NJ renters can also still apply to the state’s Emergency Rental Assistance lottery program until the funding runs out. NJ renters, landlords and homeowners can also get assistance by visiting www.housinghelpnj.org or calling 888-691-3002.

The Murphy Administration announced that the application period for the 2nd Phase of COVID-19 Pandemic Emergency Rental Assistance Program is open as of last week. The program will remain open until an adequate number of applications have been received to distribute the approximately $353 million allocated to the program. Applicants for the COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program Phase II (CVERAP Phase II) may be eligible for up to 12 months of rental assistance to help pay for rent arrears incurred after March 13, 2020, and future rent to the extent that funds are available. To apply, click here.

FEMA has created a funeral reimbursement program, for any family member who lost loved ones to COVID-19. To apply, you must call 844-684-6333; this call center is open from Monday through Friday, 9am to 9pm. Applicants are eligible for up to $9,000 per burial to cover transportation, urns or caskets, death certificate fees, or the arrangement of the services. This program will reimburse families as far back as January 20, 2020, and is in effect nationwide. The deceased person in question can also be recognized as a documented or undocumented resident . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgHYxw8ifRM