Utility Shutoffs Resume In NJ: How To Find Help Paying Bills

NEW JERSEY — Officials are asking New Jersey residents to get caught up on their utility bills, as a moratorium on gas and electric shutoffs ends Wednesday.

The annual "winter termination program" protects certain NJ residents from having their water, gas, sewer, or electric service shut off in the winter, between Nov. 15 and March 15 of each year. This includes people enrolled in Supplemental Security Income, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, and recipients of benefits under the Federal Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP). See below for a list of resources to help pay utility bills.

People unable to pay bills because of circumstances beyond their control, such as illness, unemployment, or recent death of a family member, can also be included in WTP.

The Board of Public Utilities and Department of Community Affairs encouraged residents to bring their bills up to date by Wednesday, or risk having service shut off.

Higher gas rates went into effect on Oct. 1 of last year, after state regulators approved double-digit hikes for four gas providers serving millions of residential customers across the Garden State. Nearly 2 million customers were impacted when the state’s largest utility, PSE&G, increased rates by 25 percent. Read more: NJ To Pay More For Heat As State Approves Gas Rate Hikes for Millions

Similarly, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities approved rate hikes for New Jersey Natural Gas, Elizabethtown Gas, and South Jersey Gas in September.

Republican senators Joseph Pennacchio (District 24) and Declan O'Scanlon Jr. (District 13) introduced legislation last November proposing a tax moratorium for residential customers who use natural gas and electricity to heat their homes. An identical bill in the Assembly was also introduced, but it appears neither have progressed past legislative committees. Related article — Gas, Electricity Tax Break For NJ Homeowners Proposed: What To Know

There are utility assistance programs and payment plans available to help customers, but residents should act now, said BPU president Joseph L. Fiordaliso.

“...applying for assistance programs takes time, so I encourage everyone to apply for help now so they don’t receive a shut off notice or experience disconnection after March 15,” Fiordaliso said in a statement last week.

The state 211 website has a variety of resources for assistance with utility bills for low-income customers, senior citizens, and other residents who are having trouble making ends meet.

Universal Service Fund (USF) customers with a balance of more than $60 or more on their energy bill may be eligible for additional benefits under the New Jersey Fresh Start Program. Click here for a county-by-county contact guide to USF and New Jersey Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

Those not eligible for LIHEAP may be eligible for a number of other programs, including the Payment Assistance for Gas and Electric (PAGE) and the NJ SHARES program, which stands for Statewide Heating Assistance and Referral Energy Service, Inc.

New Jersey American Water's "H2O Help to Others Program" also offers assistance for low-income customers, including grants and a discount on the service charge. NJ American Water also has payment assistance programs for customers.

“While water service is a tremendous value at just a penny per gallon, we understand that many customers may be facing financial hardships, especially when it comes to paying their monthly bills,” said Mark McDonough, president of NJ American Water, in a statement Wednesday.

The state also offers water assistance to Suez Water customers in need, and low-income households.