New Jersey's Winter Termination Program: Who's Protected From Shutoffs and How to Ask
From November 15 to March 15, New Jersey's Winter Termination Program can stop your gas, electric, water or sewer company from shutting you off. But it isn't automatic. You have to fit one of nine groups, and you have to tell your utility. This guide walks through who's covered, how to ask, and which programs can shrink the balance while you're protected.
AT A GLANCE
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Are you covered? The nine groups
The NJBPU lists nine groups of customers protected by the Winter Termination Program. You're covered if any one of these describes your household:
You get benefits from the Lifeline Credit Program.
You get Home Energy Assistance (HEAP/LIHEAP) benefits.
You get Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF).
You get Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
You get Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled (PAAD).
You get General Assistance (GA).
You get Universal Service Fund (USF) credits.
You've applied for the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program, or any state, local or utility program that helps eligible customers pay water or wastewater bills.
You're a residential customer who can't pay because of circumstances beyond your control.
The ninth group is the one many people miss. The NJBPU says those circumstances include, but aren't limited to, unemployment, illness, medical expenses, the recent death of an immediate family member, and anything else that might cause financial hardship. Customers in this group can self-certify to the utility, or to the NJBPU's Division of Customer Assistance, that they can't pay.
If you lost a job, got sick or lost a family member this year, you may already qualify. You just have to say so.
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How to turn the protection on
The NJBPU's instructions are short: call your utility company and ask for WTP protection. The state's Utility Customer Bill of Rights says the same thing from the other side. You have the right to service from November 15 to March 15 if you're eligible, but you must notify your utility company of your eligibility.
What to say on the phone
"I'm calling to request Winter Termination Program protection on my account."
Name your group. For example: "I receive SSI," "I'm enrolled in USF," or "I lost my job in August and can't pay."
Ask the representative to note the protection on your account, and ask what, if anything, they need from you to confirm it.
Write down the date, the representative's name and any reference number.
Do this for each utility you're worried about: gas, electric and water can be separate companies, and each one needs to hear from you.
If the utility pushes back
If you have WTP questions the utility can't answer, the NJBPU says to call it at (800) 624-0241. Its Division of Customer Assistance takes complaints about shutoffs, payment arrangements, high bills and deposit requests. The NJBPU asks customers to try the utility first and then briefly describe that conversation in the complaint. Online complaints are handled only during business hours, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., so if service is being shut off, call instead of filing online.
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The calendar
Dates | What applies |
|---|---|
October 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027 | LIHEAP and USF combined application period (LIHEAP is first come, first served) |
November 15 – March 15 | Winter Termination Program: no shutoffs for protected customers who have notified their utility |
June 15 – August 31 | Summer Termination Program: electric, water and sewer shutoff protection for the same protected groups |
All year | Bill of Rights: written notice and timing limits on shutoffs |
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Rights you have all year, not just in winter
The Winter Termination Program sits on top of protections every New Jersey residential customer has. The NJBPU's Utility Customer Bill of Rights says:
At least 10 days' written notice before service can be turned off for nonpayment. After that, service can be cut if you don't make a reasonable payment or agree to a payment plan.
No shutoffs outside 8 a.m.–4 p.m., Monday through Thursday, except in a safety emergency.
No shutoffs on a Friday, Saturday, Sunday, a New Jersey state holiday or the day before one, or if a valid medical emergency exists in your household, except in a safety emergency.
At least one deferred payment plan a year if you have a bill you can't pay. It's based on your finances, and you keep it as long as you stay current on new charges.
A budget billing plan that spreads payments evenly over a set period.
Disputes: If you pay the part of the bill you're not disputing, service can't be cut while the utility investigates.
No late payment charges on residential bills.
Apartment buildings: If the utility plans to shut off service to the building, it must post a notice in a common area and/or send a notice to occupants.
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Shrinking the balance while you're protected
USF and LIHEAP: one application, two programs
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps with heating costs, medically necessary cooling and emergency help, including deliverable fuels and qualifying heater repairs or replacements. Renters whose heat is included in their rent may also qualify. The benefit depends on income, household size, fuel type and heating region.
The Universal Service Fund (USF) gives monthly credits on gas and electric bills, based on how much you spend on energy compared with your income. The minimum credit is $20 a month, and the maximum is $200 a month for gas and electric combined. You need a residential gas or electric bill in a household member's name.
The FY2027 LIHEAP application is also the USF application, and you can receive both at once. Both use the same income limit, 60% of state median income:
Household size | Monthly gross income | Annual gross income |
|---|---|---|
1 | $4,273 | $51,273 |
2 | $5,587 | $67,049 |
3 | $6,902 | $82,825 |
4 | $8,217 | $98,602 |
5 | $9,532 | $114,378 |
6 | $10,846 | $130,154 |
7 | $11,093 | $133,112 |
8 | $11,339 | $136,070 |
Source: NJ Department of Community Affairs FFY 2027 fact sheet. For larger households, add $246 a month or $2,952 a year for each additional person.
How to apply: Online through energyassistance.nj.gov or the state's DCAid site, or through the local agency in your county. Call 1-800-510-3102 to find your local agency, check your application or, if you're disabled and homebound, ask for a home visit. People 60 or older and people with disabilities may also apply by mail.
A few details from the DCA fact sheet:
People in public housing or receiving rental assistance aren't eligible for LIHEAP heating help unless they pay their heating costs directly to the fuel supplier.
LIHEAP requires at least one household member to have a Social Security number. USF does not, according to the NJBPU.
Fresh Start: forgiveness for the old balance
If you enroll in USF and owe $60 or more, your gas or electric utility automatically enrolls you in Fresh Start. You can't apply for it separately. Each month you pay your current charges in full, 1/12 of the old overdue balance is forgiven. Fresh Start is available once every five years, and your utility mails you the details.
PAGE: for households earning too much for USF
The Payment Assistance for Gas and Electric (PAGE) program helps low- to moderate-income households. The NJBPU says to apply for USF first if you qualify, then use PAGE if you still need help. PAGE's income limits are higher, for example $85,455 for one person and $164,337 for four. It's run by SHARES Nation (1-866-657-4273, sharesnation.org) and depends on available funds.
Other help on the NJBPU list
Program | What it does | Contact |
|---|---|---|
Lifeline (energy) | An annual $225 energy benefit for qualified seniors and people with disabilities, homeowners or renters | 1-800-792-9745; apply with the NJSAVE application |
NJNG Gift of Warmth | A one-time grant of up to $500 for New Jersey Natural Gas customers facing unexpected hardship. It can prevent a shutoff or restore service. | 800-221-0051, say "energy assistance" |
Comfort Partners | Free energy-saving measures for income-eligible customers to lower bills | (866) 378-4345 |
SHARES programs | Help with energy, phone, internet, water, property tax, rent and mortgage bills for income-eligible households | 1-866-657-4273 |
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Already shut off?
New Jersey has a reconnection rule tied to assistance applications. Gas, electric, water and wastewater customers can ask for reconnection once a year per utility service with proof that they applied for USF, LIHEAP, PAGE or another state, local or utility assistance program. The customer must first make a down payment of up to 25% of the outstanding balance.
If there's no heat in the house right now, read our guide to staying warm safely until service comes back (linked below).
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Before you call
☐ Your account number for each utility (gas, electric, water)
☐ Your most recent bill and any shutoff notice, with its date
☐ Proof of the benefit that puts you in a protected group (an SSI letter, USF notice, TANF approval and so on), or a short explanation of the hardship if you're self-certifying
☐ Your household's gross monthly income for the LIHEAP/USF application
☐ A pen to write down the representative's name, the date and a reference number
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WHAT TO DO THIS WEEK
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Related help
Official sources
Last checked: October 23, 2026. Income limits are for federal fiscal year 2027. Programs that depend on funding can close early.
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