Newsroom & Public Notices

TOMS RIVER – The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) will host the Ocean County Utility Assistance Day (UAD) on Wednesday, February 19, in partnership with Toms River and Ocean County. The event will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Ocean County Library, 101 Washington St., Toms River, NJ. 

UADs have proven to be highly effective in helping connect residents with social services and assistance programs offered by State and utility providers. Ocean County is the latest in a series of successful Utility Assistance Days. Approximately 9,000 residents have cumulatively attended events held in Bridgeton, Newark, Camden, Trenton, Passaic, Elizabeth, and Union City. 

“Keeping energy costs down is a priority at the BPU. This event in Toms River is part of our ongoing commitment to connecting residents face-to-face with agencies that can help provide energy bill assistance,” said NJBPU President Christine Guhl-Sadovy. “Whether you need assistance now or anticipate you may in the future, it is never too soon to learn about the wide variety of local, county, state, and federal aid that is available. Thank you to our state and local partners who will be on-site to speak with all in attendance.”

Participating organizations are Ocean, Inc., Catholic Charities, New Jersey Natural Gas, Jersey Central Power and Light, NJ Family Care, NJ Shares, Care Connect, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, and the New Jersey Department of Human Services – Lifeline Program.

“Utility assistance is a critical issue for your constituents who are confronting utility cost increases,” said Senator Carmen Amato, Jr., Assemblyman Brian Rumpf, and Assemblyman Gregory Myhre. “As such, we want our constituents to be informed of the utility programs and services that are available to them. Certainly, we appreciate the BPU scheduling this event to assist the people of Ocean County.  Several months ago, our Delegation formally requested that the BPU hold a Utility Assistance Day for our constituents. We encourage our constituents, and all Ocean County residents interested in applying for utility assistance to attend the BPU’s event for any opportunity to receive financial relief.” 

“Utility assistance serves as a vital lifeline for individuals and families navigating economic hardship, ensuring access to essential services like heat and electricity,” said Department of Community Affairs Commissioner Jacquelyn A. Suárez. “This support aligns with the core principles of the Housing First model, which prioritizes stable and secure housing as the foundation for overall well-being. By helping households maintain these critical utilities, utility assistance fosters the stability necessary for families to maintain their households.”

“This is a wonderful opportunity for Ocean County residents to learn about the utility assistance programs available and how to apply. Many of the individuals and families that we serve at the New Jersey Department of Human Services are eligible for utility assistance but may not know it. This includes individuals and families participating in the Work First New Jersey program, the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, and older adults or people with disabilities participating in the Lifeline Utility Assistance Program,” said Human Services Commissioner Sarah Adelman. “I encourage residents concerned about higher utility bills to attend this informative event to learn what assistance may be available.”

To determine eligibility for utility assistance on-site, residents attending the Ocean County Community Utility Assistance Day event should bring the following:

• One month of income statements from within the past eight weeks (or a zero-income statement) for all adult household members;
• Copies of social security cards or residency status for all household members;
• Proof of address (i.e., copy of rental lease or housing authority letter). (If you are a homeowner, please bring your tax bill, mortgage statement, or deed.); and
• All pages of electric, natural gas, and/or heating bills

Additionally, customers in arrears who enroll in the Universal Service Fund (USF) program will be automatically screened for the Fresh Start program. Fresh Start provides eligible USF customers an opportunity to have their overdue gas and electric balances forgiven by paying only their current monthly bills on time and in full. Fresh Start is available to customers once every five years. To self-screen for USF eligibility or apply online, please visit www.nj.gov/dca/dcaid or call 2-1-1 for more information.

For those unable to attend, please call 2-1-1 to learn more about New Jersey’s utility assistance programs. Those with complaints or concerns regarding their utility company are encouraged to call the NJBPU at 800-624-0241 or file online here.

About the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) 

NJBPU is a state agency and regulatory authority mandated to ensure safe, adequate and proper utility services at reasonable rates for New Jersey customers. Critical services regulated by NJBPU include natural gas, electricity, water, wastewater, telecommunications and cable television. The Board has general oversight and responsibility for monitoring utility service, responding to consumer complaints, and investigating utility accidents. To find out more about NJBPU, visit our website at www.nj.gov/bpu.