Newsroom & Public Notices

UAD to Connect Residents to Cost-Saving Programs

TRENTON - The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) will host the Passaic County Utility Assistance Day (UAD) on Wednesday, October 1, in partnership with Passaic County and the City of Passaic. The event will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Boys and Girls Club, 14 Hudson Street, Passaic, 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 winter weather on the horizon, we encourage everyone who needs or foresees they may need energy bill assistance to please join us in Passaic to meet with our customer assistance team and on-site community partners to learn about and apply for the energy bill assistance programs available for New Jersey ratepayers."

UADs have proven to be highly effective in helping connect residents with social services and assistance programs offered by State and utility providers. The Passaic County UAD is the latest in a series of successful UADs. More than 9,700 residents have attended a UAD, including recently in Ewing, Cliffside Park, Linden, Burlington City, Phillipsburg, and Bridgeton. For a video of a previous UAD, click here.

“I commend the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities and its partners for hosting this wonderful event to assist Passaic County families struggling with high energy costs,” said Senator John McKeon. “Events like this are a crucial way to connect with residents in need directly. By bringing together representatives from various programs to help navigate the application process, the NJBPU has successfully created a one-stop shop to get people the relief they urgently need.”

“Rising energy costs remain one of the most pressing concerns I hear about from residents,” said Assemblywoman Aura K. Dunn. “I thank the Board of Public Utilities for hosting this event to connect families with the resources they need to save on their bills.”

“Skyrocketing utility charges are forcing families to have to choose between paying for heat and covering other essentials, including food,” said Assemblyman Gary S. Schaer. “NJBPU’s Community Utility Assistance Day is an opportunity for Passaic’s residents to be connected to experts and learn about the resources available to them, so that hard-working families do not need to worry about keeping the heat running or the lights on during the harsh months of the winter.”

"Access to reliable, affordable utilities is not a luxury – it is a basic necessity,” said Assemblyman Clinton Calabrese. “As we work toward long-term energy affordability through legislation, events like Utility Assistance Day provide residents with the immediate support they need. I urge families across Passaic County to take advantage of this opportunity on October 1st to connect with programs that can ease the burden and help build financial stability."

“Utility Assistance Day is about putting money back in the pockets of the people,” said Mayor Hector C. Lora. “This is a free event that connects our residents with programs that lower their bills and cut their costs. It is long-term savings that give families more breathing room each month.”

“Utility costs continue to put pressure on households in Passaic County and across New Jersey,” said New Jersey Department of Community Affairs Commissioner Jacquelyn A. Suárez. “We want residents to know that help is within reach. Programs such as the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program and the Universal Service Fund can ease the burden, and applying is straightforward. Don’t wait to explore these resources if keeping up with energy bills has become difficult.”

“This is a wonderful opportunity for Passaic 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.”

Participating Organizations include Public Service Electric & Gas, Paterson Task Force, Passaic County Weatherization, SHARES, and NJ Clean Energy.

To determine eligibility for utility assistance on-site, residents attending the Passaic County UAD in Paterson 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.