New Jersey Winter Termination Program Shields Residents from Utility Shut-offs
The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs has implemented a Winter Termination Program to prevent service discontinuation for eligible residential customers receiving residential electric, sewer and water service from a local authority, municipal utility, or rural electric cooperative from November 15th through March 15th. The program is designed to protect low-income residents from having their utilities shut off during the winter months, when the weather can be particularly harsh and dangerous.
Under the program, service cannot be disconnected during this period to those residential customers who demonstrate at the time of the intended termination that they are:
- Recipients of benefits under the Federal Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) or certified as eligible therefore under standards set by the New Jersey Department of Human Services.
- Recipients of Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF).
- Recipients of Federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
- Recipients of Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled (PAAD).
- Recipients of General Assistance (GA) benefits.
- Recipients of the Universal Service Fund (USF).
- Recipients of the Low-income Household Water Assistance Program.
- Recipients of benefits under the Lifeline Credit Program.
- Persons unable to pay their utility bills because of circumstances beyond their control. Such circumstances shall include, but shall not be limited to, unemployment, illness, medically related expenses, recent death of an immediate family member, and any other circumstances, which might cause financial hardship.
- A participant in any other State or local program that provides assistance, specifically, to help eligible customers pay electric, sewer, or water bills.
read more: New Jersey Winter Termination Program Shields Residents from Utility Shut-offs
The program is a welcome relief for many low-income residents in New Jersey, who often struggle to make ends meet during the winter months. With the cost of heating and other utilities rising, many families are forced to choose between paying their bills and putting food on the table.
In conclusion, the Winter Termination Program is an important initiative that helps to ensure that low-income residents in New Jersey have access to essential utilities during the winter months. By providing protection against service discontinuation, the program helps to keep families safe and warm, while also promoting economic stability and security.
