New Jersey's Summer Utility Shutoff Protections Explained

New Jersey's summer utility shutoff protection program may help eligible residents avoid losing electricity or gas service during the hottest months of the year — a period when disconnection can pose serious health and safety risks. If you're behind on your utility bills in New Jersey, this program, combined with federal energy assistance through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), may give you breathing room to catch up without losing service. Understanding how these overlapping protections work — and what steps to take right now — is the most practical thing you can do if your household is at risk.

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Data Snapshot

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), LIHEAP served approximately 6.4 million households nationally in fiscal year 2022, with federal funding exceeding $6 billion allocated across states and territories (source: HHS LIHEAP Report to Congress FY2022 — https://www.hhs.gov/archive/assets/docs/liheap-report-to-congress-fy2022.pdf). In New Jersey, LIHEAP funds are administered through the Department of Community Affairs (DCA), and the state has historically received tens of millions in annual federal allocations to help low-income households manage heating and cooling costs. Benefit amounts vary by household size and income — no specific dollar figure is guaranteed, and funding availability shifts throughout the program year as allocations are drawn down at the county level.

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What the New Summer Shutoff Protection Program Does

New Jersey's new program, as reported by WHYY, establishes a formal protection period during summer months — typically June through September — during which utility companies may be restricted from disconnecting service to qualifying low-income customers. This builds on existing winter shutoff protections that New Jersey has maintained for years under rules set by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU).

The core rationale is straightforward: when temperatures are dangerously high, losing power or gas can become a medical emergency, especially for households with elderly members, young children, or people with chronic health conditions. The new rules are designed to close the gap that previously left summer months less protected than winter — a gap that advocates and public health researchers have flagged as a serious equity issue in recent years.

It's worth noting that these protections do not eliminate the underlying debt. Customers who are shielded from disconnection during the summer protection period are still responsible for their outstanding balances. The protections buy time — and that time is most valuable when used to apply for assistance programs that can reduce or eliminate what you owe.

Who May Be Covered

While exact eligibility thresholds are set by the NJBPU and may be updated, the protections are generally aimed at:

  • Households at or below 250% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) — the income threshold used by many NJ utility assistance programs
  • Customers enrolled in the Universal Service Fund (USF), New Jersey's state-run utility assistance program
  • Households with a medical emergency or a member with a serious illness, who may qualify for additional protections regardless of income level
  • Customers who have entered into a payment arrangement with their utility provider and are making good-faith payments under that agreement

If you're unsure whether your household falls under these protections, the safest step is to contact your utility company directly and ask whether a shutoff moratorium or protection period applies to your account. Get the answer in writing if possible.

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Key Programs That May Help New Jersey Residents

1. New Jersey Universal Service Fund (USF)

The USF is a state-funded program that caps how much low-income households pay for natural gas and electricity as a percentage of their income. Households at or below 175% of the Federal Poverty Level may be eligible. Benefits are applied directly to your utility bill each month, reducing what you owe on an ongoing basis rather than as a one-time payment. Enrollment in USF may also trigger additional shutoff protections under NJBPU rules — making it one of the most valuable programs for households at ongoing risk of disconnection.

How to apply: Contact your utility company directly, visit the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) at njdca.gov, or call 2-1-1 in New Jersey to be connected with a local agency that can assist with enrollment.

2. Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

LIHEAP is a federally funded program administered at the state level by the NJ DCA. In New Jersey, it provides one-time or seasonal payments toward heating and cooling costs. Eligibility is generally set at or below 60% of the State Median Income or 150% of the Federal Poverty Level, whichever is higher — though states retain some flexibility in setting their own thresholds within federal guidelines.

LIHEAP funds in New Jersey are distributed through local Community Action Agencies. The program typically opens for applications in the fall for heating assistance, but crisis and cooling assistance may be available during summer months for households facing imminent shutoff. If you've already received a disconnection notice, ask specifically about LIHEAP Crisis Assistance — it's a separate component with faster processing timelines.

How to apply: Visit your county's Board of Social Services or find your local Community Action Agency through the NJ DCA website. You can also call 2-1-1 to be directed to the right office for your county.

3. NJ Lifeline Credit Program

The Lifeline Credit Program provides an annual credit on utility bills for eligible seniors aged 65 and older and people with disabilities who receive certain public benefits. If someone in your household qualifies, this credit may reduce your overall balance and lower the risk of disconnection. The credit is applied annually, so it's worth checking eligibility even if you haven't heard of this program before.

4. Payment Arrangements with Your Utility Provider

Under NJBPU rules, utility companies are generally required to offer payment arrangements to customers who are behind on bills. If you contact your utility before a shutoff notice is issued, you may be able to negotiate a manageable monthly payment plan. Being proactive here matters — waiting until a shutoff notice arrives limits your options and may affect your eligibility for certain protections. When you call, ask specifically about extended payment plans and whether any of your balance can be deferred.

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Documents You'll Likely Need

Regardless of which program you're applying for, gathering these documents before you start can significantly speed up the process:

  • Proof of identity — government-issued ID for the utility account holder
  • Proof of income — recent pay stubs, Social Security award letter, unemployment determination letter, or most recent tax return
  • Most recent utility bill — showing your account number, service address, and current balance
  • Proof of address — utility bill or signed lease agreement
  • Social Security numbers for all household members (required by most programs)
  • Documentation of any medical conditions if applying for medical emergency protections or priority processing

If you're missing any of these documents, your local Community Action Agency or Board of Social Services may be able to help you obtain them or work with what you have.

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Step-by-Step: What to Do If You're Facing a Shutoff in New Jersey

Step 1: Don't wait for the shutoff notice. If you're behind on bills, contact your utility company now. Ask specifically whether summer shutoff protections apply to your account and whether you're enrolled in USF or any other assistance program. Early contact gives you more options.

Step 2: Call 2-1-1. New Jersey's 2-1-1 helpline connects you with local resources including LIHEAP, USF, and emergency utility assistance. Operators can direct you to the right county-level agency and tell you what programs currently have open enrollment or available funding.

Step 3: Contact your county Board of Social Services. Many LIHEAP and emergency energy assistance applications are processed at the county level. Find your county office through the NJ DCA website at njdca.gov. Bring your documents with you or have them ready if applying by phone.

Step 4: Ask specifically about crisis assistance. If you've already received a shutoff notice, tell the agency immediately. LIHEAP Crisis Assistance is designed for households facing imminent disconnection and is typically processed faster than standard applications — often within 48 to 72 hours when a shutoff notice is present.

Step 5: Request any payment arrangement in writing. If you enter into a payment plan with your utility, get the terms in writing and keep a copy. This documentation may be important if there's ever a dispute about your account status or whether protections apply.

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Realistic Timelines

Knowing what to expect can help you plan:

  • USF enrollment: Can sometimes be processed within a few weeks through your utility company, depending on documentation and current application volume
  • LIHEAP standard assistance: Processing times vary by county — typically 2 to 6 weeks during non-peak periods
  • LIHEAP crisis assistance: Often processed within 48 to 72 hours when a shutoff notice is present and documentation is complete
  • Payment arrangements: Can often be set up in a single phone call with your utility provider, with written confirmation to follow

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A Note on County-Level Variation

Even within New Jersey, program availability, funding levels, and processing times can vary significantly by county. Some counties may exhaust LIHEAP allocations earlier in the season than others. Contacting your local agency as early as possible — before a crisis point — gives you the best chance of accessing available resources before funds run out.

Program eligibility and availability vary by state. Not affiliated with any government agency.

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Last reviewed: July 2026