For Immediate Release:	Contact: Tracy Munford
Date: 03/14/2025	609-940-1099

Winter Termination Program ends on March 15

 

TRENTON—The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) encourages residents to bring their utility bills up to date before the Winter Termination Program (WTP) ends on March 15. The WTP is a seasonal program that prevents utility shutoff for eligible customers during the cold winter months. Utility assistance programs and utility payment plans are available to help customers remain current on their bill payments or pay down overdue balances.

 

“While the Winter Termination Program ensures access to essential utility services during the winter months, there is still help available when the seasonal program ends on March 15,” said NJBPU President Christine Guhl-Sadovy. “Don’t wait to apply for help until you're faced with a service disruption. Please call your utility or the NJBPU Customer Assistance hotline to learn more about ways to manage your bill and keep your gas and electricity on.”

 

If you received protections from the Winter Termination program, contact your utility company to request a deferred payment arrangement. If you need help, call the NJBPU at 1-800-624-0241 after talking to your utility company. From there, NJBPU Staff can connect you with other year-round customer assistance programs to help you secure long-term bill savings.

 

There are several assistance programs available through the NJBPU or New Jersey Department of Customer Affairs: Universal Service Fund, Fresh Start Program, Payment Assistance for Gas and Electric (PAGE) Program, Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, Lifeline, NJ Shares and NJ Comfort Partners. A more detailed description of these programs, as well as the requirements and guidelines can be found on the Board’s NJBPU’s website at https://nj.gov/bpu/.

 

Additionally, you can visit the DCAid portal at www.nj.gov/dca/dcaid to submit one online application for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the Universal Service Fund (USF) program. The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (NJDCA) also implements a Winter Termination Program for customers of local and municipal utility authorities. Even if you don’t need assistance yet but think you may in the future, please don’t wait to contact your utility or the NJBPU to learn more about the help available.

 

The NJBPU is committed to ensuring energy affordability for all ratepayers. Last year, BPU unveiled a historic $51 million in customer bill credits for over 275,000 families via a one-time $175 bill credit for qualifying ratepayers.

 

If you do not have access to computers or the internet, you can call 1-800-510-3102 to be directed to one of the community action agencies partnering with NJDCA to assist with starting, completing, and submitting an application online. A list of the community organizations providing such assistance is available at https://www.nj.gov/dca/.

 

 

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.