Pandemic Doubles the Need for Help

PSE&G Offers Support & Flexibility for Getting Back on Track

COVID-19 has inflicted financial hardship on many of PSE&G’s customers and left them struggling to pay bills.  Today, twice as many customers are seriously behind on their bills as there were before the pandemic.  

PSE&G understands their customers rely on them for the energy to heat and cool their homes and power their lives and businesses.  PSE&G is offering its support to local communities as we all move forward and recover from the pandemic.  Visit: www.pseg.com/HelpNow.

While the moratorium provided much needed support for those who have suffered financial hardship, New Jersey’s grace period for utility shutoffs ended on January 1, 2022.  That’s 275,000 residential customers at risk for having their utility service disconnected. 

After March 15, PSE&G can disconnect service to customers who have not contacted PSE&G to make a payment arrangement or applied for State payment assistance.  PSE&G never wants to shut off any customer’s utility service because of the inability to pay.

“PSE&G’s commitment to supporting their customers, our residents, through this pandemic truly embodies their commitment to ‘public service’ and shows how much compassion and empathy they have for those who have had to make hard choices about which bills to pay,” said Mayor Bert Steinmann.   “We will continue to partner with PSE&G to ensure our residents receive the much-needed support as we all recover from this pandemic.”

Recognizing the financial difficulties the pandemic has caused, PSE&G is offering more flexible payment options.  They share the following payment solutions to keep customers connected and get them back on track.  To protect utility service from being disconnected, customers must contact PSE&G before March 15, 2022.

Enroll in a PSE&G Deferred Payment Arrangement (DPA).

This special arrangement is available to all PSE&G customers, regardless of past payment history, with no money down. 

• Visit pseg.com/myaccount; or call 800-357-2262. 
• When asked, “What would you like help with today?” say, “Payment arrangement.”
• A DPA allows a customer to pay their regular monthly bill, plus an amount towards the past due balance, over an agreed upon period of time.
• The customer’s account will be protected from the day they create the DPA and remain protected as long as they make their monthly payments.
• The customer will receive a confirmation letter from PSE&G documenting the terms of the arrangement. 

Apply for State energy assistance programs as soon as possible and notify PSE&G that you have applied for assistance.  Thanks to increased income limits, more people are now eligible for payment assistance.

• Visit nj211.org (https://www.nj211.org/utility-assistance-programs) or
• Dial 2-1-1
• Customer must notify PSE&G that they have applied for assistance. Provide the name of the program, and place the customer applied or confirmation number.
• Their account will be protected from disconnection for up to 90 days, however it is the customer’s responsibility to ensure the application is processed.
• To recertify or check application status Visit: https://www.nj211.org/apply-recertify-and-check-application-status-utility-assistance-benefits-online or call 2-1-1.

Need help, not sure where to start or want to share information with others?  Visit: www.pseg.com/HelpNow, or call PSE&G Customer Care: 800-357-2262. The PSE&G Help Now site connects customers with customer advocates from affiliate agencies.  (See following…)

Customer Advocates Available

PSE&G is collaborating with multiple county officials and social service agencies throughout the state to bring community advocates into their customer service centers to personally help customers access resources to help pay their utility bills. Don’t wait – stop by as soon as possible to fill out an application so they can help you get back on track.  

NEW Past-Due Balance Forgiveness & Expanded Payment Assistance 

The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities has expanded the income eligibility requirements for the Universal Service Fund (USF) and Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), state programs that help make energy bills more affordable. For example, for a family of four, the new income limit is $105,000 – more than double the previous limit.

In addition, the Fresh Start Program has been expanded, providing forgiveness of past-due balances as long as customers pay their monthly energy bills in full for a year.  (See details below – or visit: www.pseg.com/HelpNow.) 

Utility Payment Assistance Programs  

NJ 2-1-1 Utility Assistance (https://www.nj211.org/utility-assistance-programs) or 2-1-1; 800-510-3102 

Low-Income Programs*

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) (https://www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/dhcr/offices/energy.html) or 800-510-3102

• PSE&G heating customers typically receive an average of $300 toward their PSE&G bills.
• LIHEAP accepts applications from October 1 through June 30.
• Monthly gross income must be less than $4,367, for a family of 4 

Universal Service Fund (USF) 

(https://www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/dhcr/offices/energy.html) or 800-510-3102

• PSE&G customers can receive $5 - $150 per month toward their PSE&G bills.
• When you apply for LIHEAP, you are also applying for USF.
• USF accepts applications year-round.
• Monthly gross income must be less than $4,039, for a family of 4

Moderate Income Programs*

Payment Assistance Gas and Electric (PAGE) (https://njpoweron.org/page/page-application1/_) or 855-465-8783

• Low- and moderate-income customers may get financial assistance towards their past-due bills or if they have been disconnected for non-payment.
• Customers must have a past due electric or gas utility bill.
• Annual householdincome eligibility ranges from $64,000 to $174,000 – depending on household size.
  • To qualify for PAGE, you must:
    Have a balance on your utility bill of at least $100 and be past due.
  • Meet income eligibility and program guidelines. Income eligibility is zero income to maximum levels shown.
  • PAGE applications are available all year.
• Customers are eligible for PAGE after applying and completing their LIHEAP/USF application, if they are low-income households.

NJ SHARES (NJS) 

(https://njsharesgreen.org/) or 866-NJSHARES (657-4273)

• PSE&G customers can receive up to $700 for electric service; customers can receive up to $700 for gas service, depending on the balance owed on their PSE&G bills.
• Monthly gross income must be less than $8,833, for a family of 4 (must be higher than LIHEAP or USF limits).
• NJS accepts applications year-round.  

Senior/Disabled Adult Programs*  

New Jersey Lifeline (http://www.state.nj.us/humanservices/doas/home/lifelinedetail.html) or 800-792-9745

• Seniors who are at least 65 years old and disabled adults who are at least 18 years old and receiving Social Security Disability Title II can apply to receive a $225 yearly credit. To qualify, the customer’s annual gross income (not the household income) must be less than $28,769 if single or less than $35,270 if married.
• NJ Lifeline accepts applications year-round.

*These programs are available to qualifying customers and PSE&G does not administer these programs.  

Additional Resources:

Nine Minute Videos – explaining ALL the available NJ State Programs:

• English: https://youtu.be/EDFBeBhaKYY
• Spanish: https://youtu.be/CiUyt7iDKIo

PSE&G never wants to shut off any customer’s utility service because of the inability to pay.  They want to partner with customers to keep them connected and get back on track.  Remember, to protect utility service from being disconnected, you must contact PSE&G to start the process before March 15, 2022.  For more information and to get started, visit www.pseg.com/HelpNow.