New Jersey bars utilities from shutting off service to eligible customers from November 15 through March 15 under its Winter Termination Program. Households that receive Universal Service Fund help, which pays monthly credits of $20 to $200 on electric and gas bills, are among those protected. About 283,738 gas, electric, sewer and water customers were covered during the 2024-2025 winter, the Board of Public Utilities said.
Who the November 15 to March 15 shield covers
Orange and Rockland’s New Jersey customer page lists the protected groups: residential electric and gas customers who receive benefits from Lifeline, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families or General Assistance, Supplemental Security Income, the Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled program (PAAD) or the Universal Service Fund (USF).
Customers outside those programs can qualify too. The utility page says people unable to pay because of circumstances beyond their control are covered. The BPU’s list of examples runs to unemployment, illness, medical expenses and the recent death of an immediate family member…