New Jersey’s winter utility shutoff protections begin Sunday, November 15, giving qualifying households a way to keep essential services on while they work through financial hardship.
The Winter Termination Program runs through March 15. It protects eligible residential customers from disconnection of electric, gas, water and wastewater service during that period. It is not a blanket suspension of shutoffs for every customer.
According to the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, qualifying categories include recipients of LIHEAP, the Universal Service Fund, SSI, TANF, Lifeline, PAAD and General Assistance, along with certain water-assistance applicants.
Protection can also cover residents unable to pay because of circumstances beyond their control, including unemployment, illness, medical expenses or the recent death of an immediate family member. Those customers may self-certify their inability to pay to the utility or the BPU’s Division of Customer Assistance.
Residents should call their utility company to request protection. Customers who have questions the utility cannot answer can call the BPU at 800-624-0241.
The program prevents qualifying winter disconnections; it does not erase overdue bills. Customers remain responsible for what they owe and should discuss payment arrangements and available assistance with their provider.
For municipal utilities and local authorities, the Department of Community Affairs operates a parallel winter protection program for eligible electric, water and sewer customers.
Families who need help paying their bills can also review New Jersey’s heating-assistance application information.
