Dear Editor:
Utility customers behind on their bills should know that March15 marked the end of NJ’s winter moratorium protecting eligible residential utility customers from having their electric and/or gas service disconnected between November 15 and March 15. Public Service Electric and Gas (PSE&G) Company, NJ’s largest utility reminds customers to contact PSE&G to address their account balances and avoid having service interrupted.
“Interrupting a customer’s service is the last thing we want to occur,” said Victor S. Viscomi, the utility’s manager of credit and collection. To avoid an interruption of gas and/or electric service, Viscomi urges customers to contact PSE&G at 1-800-357-2262 to discuss a good faith payment and make arrangements for the remainder of the balance. “PSE&G recognizes that, for some people, paying the bills, including utility bills, is a challenge,” said Viscomi. “We want our customers to know they have options.”
PSE&G emphasized that there are funds available to help customers with their energy bills. One major source of energy assistance for needy families is the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). LIHEAP which anticipates providing energy assistance to some 150,000 New Jersey households this year, began the heating season with over $58 million in funding, and received an additional $30.8 million to assist with rising fuel costs. These additional dollars and higher income guidelines mean households that could not qualify for programs like LIHEAP last year may qualify this year. A family of three with an income of up to $24,763 is eligible.
Another program, NJ Statewide Heating Assistance and Referral for Energy Services, NJ SHARES, provides assistance year round and does not have income guidelines. NJ SHARES received extra funding this year through legislation and has already received $1.6 million from the state treasury to help those having difficulty with energy bills. Acting Governor Donald DiFrancesco also signed legislation in February giving NJ SHARES up to $15 million more from sales tax revenue due to rising natural gas prices. This additional funding makes it possible for NJ SHARES to reach out to more households than ever before. The legislation also increases the New Jersey Lifeline utility credit this year benefitting eligible senior citizens and disabled persons over the age of 18.
Public Service Electric and Gas Company
Newark, NJ