Utility Shutoff Moratorium Extended Through March 15, 2021
Governor Murphy Announces Financial Assistance to
Protect Residential Utility Customers
Utility Shutoff Moratorium Extended Through March 15, 2021
Governor Murphy, in partnership with the New Jersey utilities, signed an Executive Order extending the COVID-19 pandemic utility shut-off moratorium through at least March 15, 2021, preventing New Jersey residents from having their gas, electric, and water utilities disconnected. The moratorium applies to all gas, electric, and water utilities in New Jersey, both public and private. The Executive Order also protects residential cable and telecommunications customers from Internet service shut-offs, especially when there are school-age children in the home.
With the shut-off moratorium now extended, NJBPU is urging all utility customers in New Jersey with past-due balances to visit: nj.gov/dca/dcaid to find out if they are eligible for one of our assistance programs.
The utilities have been communicating with customers about available assistance programs, account balances, and payment status. Beginning in September, the utilities have accelerated these outreach efforts.
Customers should contact their utility as soon as possible prior to March 15, 2021 to make arrangements to continue their utility service, to explore enrolling in a DPA, and to learn about what other assistance programs might be available. However, no customer will be shut off before March 15, 2021.
Although utility service shutoffs are still suspended, customers should make payments toward their utility bills if they can. If a customer is struggling to pay, they should ask their utility company about assistance programs and payment plans, and they can also check NJBPU’s “Assistance Programs” page for information about State programs that are available to eligible customers.
NJBPU reminds and encourages all utility customers and ratepayers who have questions about their service to first contact their utility. A list of public gas and electricity utility company phone numbers is available here.
NJ Energy Assistance Brochure and USF/LIHEAP Application
“New for 2021 Season” – Online LIHEAP-USF Application at:
https://njdca-housing.dynamics365portals.us/en-US/dcaid-services/
NJ Energy Assistance Brochure (English)
