Bill help · New Jersey

How to get help paying your electric bill in New Jersey

If there's a shutoff date on your notice — or you're just dreading the next bill in this heat — you're in the right place, and you have more options than most people realize. You usually don't need the money today to stop a disconnection. Asking for help is something millions of households do every summer; it's a process, not a confession.

Facing a shutoff this week? Do this first.

You may already be protected right now — the summer ban runs Jun 15–Aug 31. Call your utility, say you're covered by the Summer Termination Program, and ask for a deferred payment agreement. Then call 211 for crisis LIHEAP/USF.

Before you call, have your account number, the shutoff notice, and a rough sense of your household income ready. When you hang up, you should have three things: a confirmation number, the new amount due, and the new date. If you don't, ask for all three before you go.

Your summer shutoff protection in New Jersey

New Jersey now bans summer shutoffs outright: no disconnection for nonpayment between June 15 and August 31 if you qualify.

The Summer Termination Program (2025 law) blocks electric shutoffs Jun 15–Aug 31 for customers who meet Winter Termination Program eligibility or who can show an inability to pay. It's a calendar ban, not a temperature trigger.

Source: NJ Board of Public Utilities — assistance programs. Rules and thresholds can change — confirm the current rule before relying on it.

Ask your utility for a deferred payment agreement and, if anyone in the home has a medical need, a medical-hold — both can stop a pending shutoff.

Assistance programs in New Jersey

LIHEAP + Universal Service Fund (USF)

Run by NJ Dept. of Community Affairs.

LIHEAP closes June 30 — apply now if you haven't. USF is accepted year-round.

Apply on DCAid → · 1-800-510-3102

  • USF (Universal Service Fund) credits your bill $20–$200 a month based on income — an ongoing discount, not a one-time grant.
  • Fresh Start forgives your arrears in twelfths: pay on time for 12 months and the old balance is wiped (available once every 5 years).

Your utility's own programs

Which help you get depends on who your electric company is, not just your state. Find yours below — these programs are often the biggest, most durable relief, because they lower the bill going forward, not just once.

Step by step, when a shutoff is looming

  1. 1

    Read your notice for the real deadline

    Find the shutoff date and the exact amount needed to avoid termination — it's often less than your full balance.

  2. 2

    Call your utility before that date

    Even with no money in hand. Ask for a payment plan and whether enrolling in assistance or a payment plan pauses the shutoff.

  3. 3

    Apply for assistance

    Apply for LIHEAP + Universal Service Fund (USF) (1-800-510-3102) and ask your utility about its own program. A pending application can hold off a disconnection.

  4. 4

    Use a medical certificate if anyone is vulnerable

    Ask your utility for a deferred payment agreement and, if anyone in the home has a medical need, a medical-hold — both can stop a pending shutoff.

  5. 5

    Escalate if the rules are broken

    If your utility won't follow the rules, contact NJ Board of Public Utilities at 1-800-624-0241.

If your utility won't play by the rules

Your state regulator can halt an improper disconnection. They enforce the notice periods, the summer rules, and the medical-certificate protections — and a complaint can stop a shutoff while it's reviewed.

NJ Board of Public Utilities → · 1-800-624-0241

How often does this actually happen in New Jersey?

More than most people think — which is exactly why these protections exist. In 2024, federal data shows New Jersey utilities cut power to households for nonpayment at very different rates. PSE&G disconnected about 4.8 per 100 customers — the highest of the New Jersey utilities we track. You're not an outlier for needing help; you're one of many.

See how every utility ranks on disconnections →

If the main programs are tapped out

When government funds run dry or you're just over the income line, these are the backstops:

One warning, because this audience gets targeted: your real utility will never demand a gift card, and a genuine shutoff never happens in the next hour over the phone. If someone says that, it's a scam — hang up and call the number printed on your bill. More on utility scams →

The honest read on New Jersey

  • New Jersey is one of the best-protected states in summer — the new June 15–Aug 31 shutoff ban means many people facing a notice are already safe and just don't know it.
  • LIHEAP's June 30 cutoff is the urgent piece: if you're behind, get the application in before month's end, then move to year-round USF.

Common questions

Can my electricity be shut off in summer in New Jersey?
New Jersey now bans summer shutoffs outright: no disconnection for nonpayment between June 15 and August 31 if you qualify. The Summer Termination Program (2025 law) blocks electric shutoffs Jun 15–Aug 31 for customers who meet Winter Termination Program eligibility or who can show an inability to pay. It's a calendar ban, not a temperature trigger. It's worth knowing the exact rule, because it may mean you're already protected today.
What's the fastest way to stop a shutoff in New Jersey this week?
You may already be protected right now — the summer ban runs Jun 15–Aug 31. Call your utility, say you're covered by the Summer Termination Program, and ask for a deferred payment agreement. Then call 211 for crisis LIHEAP/USF.
How do I apply for help paying my electric bill in New Jersey?
Start with LIHEAP + Universal Service Fund (USF), run by NJ Dept. of Community Affairs. LIHEAP closes June 30 — apply now if you haven't. USF is accepted year-round. You can apply online or by phone (1-800-510-3102). Also ask your own utility about its assistance program — that's often the bigger, longer-term help.
Does applying for assistance stop a disconnection in New Jersey?
Often, yes. In many cases, having a pending assistance application or an accepted payment plan postpones a shutoff — you don't always have to wait for the money to land. Say so explicitly when you call your utility, and get a confirmation number.

Last reviewed June 18, 2026. Program names, income limits, dollar amounts, and dates change every year — and funds run out mid-season. We verify each link against the official source, but always confirm the current details with the agency or your utility before you rely on them. This is general consumer information, not legal or financial advice.

RateWatchdog is independent. We take no supplier commissions, we don't profit from which program you choose, and we'll always point you to the official, free source — including when it isn't us. See all states →