SOURCE: Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG)

DESCRIPTION:

*Links to valuable resources to help you get back on track can be found below.*

The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities has declared this week Utility Assistance Week to remind customers to act quickly if they have fallen behind on their utility bills due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The state’s moratorium on utility shut-offs is expected to end June 30, and many customers are unaware that they may qualify for assistance.

“COVID-19 has inflicted financial hardship on many of our customers and left them struggling to pay bills,” said Fred Daum, executive director of Customer Operations at PSE&G. “We have seen the number of customers seriously behind on their bills double since the pandemic began and we are here to support our customers as we all move forward and recover from the pandemic together.”

Recognizing that you may be unaware of new and updated payment assistance resources, we are helping you get caught up on your utility bills. We are raising awareness of the resources available to help you in a number of ways: public service announcements on social media, television and radio, and a dedicated webpage with valuable information about payment assistance programs, pandemic relief and new payment options. Check out pseg.com/HelpNow.

“At PSE&G, we want to keep all customers connected to their utility service if we can,” Daum said.  “You may even see our community outreach teams in neighborhoods, going door-to-door to make customers aware of the resources available to help with utility bills. We are committed to partnering with customers to help keep them connected and get them back on track, together.” 

Valuable resources to help you get back on track:

If qualified, you can make a Deferred Payment Arrangement (DPA) with no money down and extended time to pay off your balance. You can select a DPA to pay your balance over a 12-, 18- or 24-month period. To make a Deferred Payment Arrangement, log in to My Account or call 800-357-2262.

Gov. Phil Murphy suspended utility shut-offs of residential customers unable to pay their bills. That moratorium is expected to end on June 30. That also is the deadline to sign up for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, one of the primary payment assistance programs available to those struggling.

General Information
NJ 2-1-1 Utility Assistance  or 2-1-1; 800-510-3102

Low Income Assistance Programs
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) or 800-510-3102
Universal Service Fund (USF) or 800-510-3102

Moderate Income Assistance Programs
Payment Assistance Gas and Electric (PAGE) or 855-465-8783
NJ SHARES (NJS) or 866-NJSHARES (657-4273)

Senior/Disabled Adult Assistance Programs
New Jersey Lifeline or 800-792-9745

Tweet me: For customers who have fallen behind on their utility bills due to the COVID-19 pandemic, @PSEGNews is raising awareness of the resources available to help: https://bit.ly/3bHAL12 #UtilityHelpNow #AssistanceNJ

KEYWORDS: NYSE:PEG, pseg, COVID-19