For Immediate Release:	Contact: Tracy Munford
Date: 04/4/2025	609-940-1099

UAD to Connect Residents to Cost-Saving Programs

 

 

Burlington – The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) is holding a Utility Assistance Day (UAD) event on Wednesday, April 9, in partnership with Burlington County. The UAD will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Tabernacle Baptist Church (Gymnasium), 150 E. Second St., Burlington, NJ. 

 

“Connecting residents with information on how to bring down energy costs is a priority of the Board of Public Utilities and why we hold Utility Assistance Day events,” said NJBPU President Christine Guhl-Sadovy. “With summer on the horizon, we encourage everyone who needs, or foresees they may need, energy bill assistance to please join us in Burlington to meet with our customer assistance team and on-site community partners to have face-to-face discussions about all the local, state, and federal aid that is available."

 

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

 

Participating organizations include Burlington Community Action Program, NJ Shares, Catholic Charities, Light Up Your World, NJ 211, Nourish, NJ Shares, Atlantic City Electric. South Jersey Gas, JCP&L, PSE&G, New Jersey Clean Energy, New Jersey Department of Human Services.

 

"New Jersey families are worried about the prospect of having to pay even more for electricity and utilities," said Congressman Herb Conaway.  "My office is here to connect residents to resources that can help make these necessities more affordable, as well as assist constituents who are having difficulties with federal agencies."

 

“With rising inflation and soaring utility costs, hardworking families are struggling to heat their homes, keep their lights on, and frankly, pay their bills,” said Senator Troy Singleton.  “That is why we partnered with the BPU to bring their Utility Assistance Day to Burlington County. We encourage anyone who is experiencing financial hardships to come out and learn more about programs that can help them save money and make their utility bills more affordable,”

 

“The affordability crisis impacts our lives on every level. I encourage residents to take advantage of the opportunity to directly connect with the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities to learn about ways to save costs and keep more of what we earn," said Assemblywoman Carol Murphy.”

 

“No one should have to choose between keeping the lights on and putting food on the table,” said Assemblyman Balvir Singh. “Utility Assistance Day is about connecting Burlington County residents with the resources they need to stay safe and secure in their homes. I’m proud to support this effort to ensure that families facing financial hardships know help is available.”

 

“If you or a loved one are having difficulty paying utility bills, we invite you to attend a free community event sponsored by Burlington County and Senator Troy Singleton,” said Burlington City Mayor Barry Conaway. “This information session will provide details about free utility grant programs to help you, and your loved ones overcome the challenges of today’s rising utility costs.”

 

“Our message to people who need help paying their home energy bills is simple: apply for assistance right now! Many people who think they don’t qualify for utility help are actually eligible to receive benefits because of the expanded income limit for major programs like the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program and the Universal Service Fund,” said New Jersey Department of Community Affairs Commissioner Jacquelyn A. Suárez. “We recognize that utility costs are squeezing the wallets of many more New Jersey families, which is why we want to get the word out to communities about how easy it is to apply for help with heating bills and even medically necessary cooling costs.”

 

“This is a wonderful opportunity for Burlington 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 Burlington County 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.

 

Media Contact: Tracy Munford (609) 940-1099; Tracy.Munford@bpu.nj.gov

 

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.

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