New Jersey

NJStrong

Days notice (electric)

Days notice (gas)

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Winter moratorium

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Medical exemption

What to do today

If you have a shutoff notice, the date on it is the one that matters. These steps work best in this order.

Call your utility before the date on your notice
Ask for a payment plan or a deferred payment arrangement. Most states require your utility to offer one, and asking before the date is what keeps your service on. The number is on your bill.
Apply for energy assistance
LIHEAP helps with utility bills and does not have to be paid back. Call the national referral line on 1-866-674-6327 weekdays 9am to 7pm Eastern, or visit energyhelp.us.
Dial 211 for local help
211 is free and connects you to local funds for utilities, rent and food. Some local agencies can pay a utility directly to stop a shutoff.
Ask about medical certification
New Jersey recognises medical protections. If anyone in your home has a serious illness or relies on powered medical equipment, a note from a doctor can delay a shutoff. Ask your utility for the form today, because it usually has to be back within days.
Contact the regulator if your utility will not work with you
nj.gov handles complaints against regulated utilities in New Jersey. Filing one can pause a disconnection while it is looked at.

Electric Gas Water Medical Low Income Regulator

Electric Shutoff Rules

Regulatory notice required10 days

Reconnection fee$20 to $35 standard, at 2 of 5 utilities below

Winter moratorium: November 15–March 15 (Winter Termination Program, WTP): prevents disconnection of electric, gas, water, and sewer services for qualifying residential customers facing financial hardship. All WTP-eligible customers must enroll in a 12-month budget payment plan; utilities must consider ability to pay when setting plan terms. Covers income-qualified customers — not universal.

Major Utilities

Public Service El…Jersey Central Po…Atlantic City Ele…Rockland Elec Co …Sussex Rural Elec…

Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G)

Northern and central New Jersey including Newark, Jersey City, Trenton, and surrounding areas; largest electric and gas utility in NJ

10-day notice

Winter Termination Program (Nov 15-Mar 15): income-eligible customers receiving LIHEAP, HEAP, TANF, SSI, PAAD, GA, USF, or Lifeline, plus customers self-certifying financial hardship, are protected from disconnection

Medical emergency protection: service cannot be disconnected if a valid medical emergency exists

physician statement can extend protection up to 2 months (recertification required after 30 days)

10 days written notice required before disconnection for nonpayment (N.J.A.C

14:3-3A.3)

initial bill must be outstanding at least 20 days before notice is sent

Disconnection prohibited on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, NJ State holidays, or the day before a holiday

hours restricted to 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m

Mon-Thu

customers must enroll annually and make good-faith payments

Deferred payment plan available at least once per year

Budget billing available

BPU waived all residential reconnection fees Jul 1-Sep 30, 2025 (summer relief)

Regulated by NJ BPU under N.J.A.C

Assistance Programs

Universal Service Fund (USF): $20-$200/month credit for income-eligible customers; USF Fresh Start erases arrears over $60. LIHEAP/HEAP: federal heating grant applied directly to bill (Oct 1-Jun 30 while funds last). NJ Lifeline: $225 annual credit for seniors 65+ or disabled (income-tested). Comfort Partners: free energy efficiency improvements for customers at or below 175% FPL. PAGE (Payment Assistance for Gas & Electric): grants for past-due accounts. NJ SHARES: emergency grants. REAP (Residential Energy Assistance Payment): seven $25 automatic credits, launched summer 2025.

"NJ BPU Residential Utility Customer Protections / NJ PowerSwitch General Customer Rights." nj.gov. Retrieved 19 May 2026.

Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L)

Central New Jersey including Ocean, Monmouth, Morris, Hunterdon, Somerset, and Middlesex counties; subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp

10-day notice

Winter Termination Program (Nov 15-Mar 15): income-eligible and hardship-qualified customers are protected from disconnection

Medical emergency protection: service cannot be disconnected if a valid medical emergency exists

physician statement extends protection up to 2 months (recertification after 30 days)

10 days written notice required before disconnection for nonpayment (N.J.A.C

14:3-3A.3)

Disconnection prohibited on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, NJ State holidays, or the day before a holiday

hours restricted to 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m

Mon-Thu

enrollment required annually

At least one deferred payment plan per year

Field collection charge: $35.00 per collection visit

BPU waived reconnection fees Jul 1-Sep 30, 2025

Regulated by NJ BPU under N.J.A.C

Reconnection fee:$35.00 (at-meter reconnections); actual cost for reconnections that cannot be performed at the meter

Assistance Programs

Universal Service Fund (USF): monthly bill credits for low-to-moderate income customers; USF Fresh Start erases past-due balances. LIHEAP/HEAP: heating and cooling grants. NJ Lifeline: $225 annual credit for eligible seniors and disabled. Comfort Partners: free energy efficiency upgrades for income-eligible customers (call 800-915-8309). PAGE: grants for customers with past-due balances or disconnection notices. NJ SHARES: emergency assistance grants (866-657-4273). Military Deferred Payment Program for families with active-duty members. Third-party notification available.

"Jersey Central Power & Light Company BPU No. 14 Electric Tariff, Part III." firstenergycorp.com. Retrieved 21 Sep 2026.

Atlantic City Electric (ACE)

Southern New Jersey including Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland, Salem, Gloucester, Camden, and Burlington counties; subsidiary of PPL Corporation (formerly Exelon)

10-day notice

Winter Termination Program (Nov 15-Mar 15): income-eligible and hardship-qualified customers are protected from disconnection

Medical emergency protection: service cannot be disconnected during a valid medical emergency

physician statement can extend protection up to 2 months

10 days written notice required before disconnection for nonpayment (N.J.A.C

14:3-3A.3)

Disconnection prohibited on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, NJ State holidays, or the day before a holiday

hours restricted to 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m

Mon-Thu

annual enrollment required

At least one deferred payment plan per year

BPU waived reconnection fees for all four investor-owned EDCs Jul 1-Sep 30, 2025

Regulated by NJ BPU under N.J.A.C

Assistance Programs

Universal Service Fund (USF): monthly credits to reduce bills for income-eligible customers; USF Fresh Start forgives arrears. LIHEAP/HEAP: federal heating and cooling grants. NJ Lifeline: $225 annual credit for eligible seniors and disabled. Comfort Partners: free energy efficiency program for income-eligible customers at or below 175% FPL. PAGE: grants for past-due accounts or disconnected customers. NJ SHARES: emergency energy assistance. $4 million ACE Customer Relief Fund (2025) for customers facing higher energy costs.

"N.J.A.C. 14:3-3A.3, Notice of discontinuance for nonpayment, via Cornell LII." law.cornell.edu. Retrieved 21 Sep 2026.

Rockland Electric Company (RECO)

Northwestern New Jersey; Bergen, Passaic, and Sussex counties; subsidiary of Orange and Rockland Utilities / Consolidated Edison

10-day notice

Winter Termination Program (Nov 15-Mar 15): income-eligible and hardship-qualified customers protected from disconnection

Medical emergency protection: service cannot be disconnected during a valid medical emergency

physician statement extends protection up to 2 months

10 days written notice required before disconnection for nonpayment (N.J.A.C

14:3-3A.3)

Disconnection prohibited on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, NJ State holidays, or the day before a holiday

hours restricted to 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m

Mon-Thu

annual enrollment required

At least one deferred payment plan per year

Included in BPU-approved waiver of reconnection fees Jul 1-Sep 30, 2025 as one of the four NJ investor-owned EDCs. Regulated by NJ BPU under N.J.A.C

Note: O&R does NOT serve natural gas customers in NJ — Rockland Electric is electric-only in New Jersey

Assistance Programs

Universal Service Fund (USF): monthly credits for income-eligible NJ customers. NJ Lifeline: $225 annual credit for eligible seniors and disabled. LIHEAP/HEAP: federal heating/cooling grants. SHARES: emergency energy bill grants. PAGE: grants for past-due or disconnected accounts. NJ Comfort Partners: free energy efficiency improvements for low-income customers. Budget billing, payment agreements, Get Well First (extended dates during hospital stays).

"N.J.A.C. 14:3-3A.3, Notice of discontinuance for nonpayment, via Cornell LII." law.cornell.edu. Retrieved 21 Sep 2026.

Sussex Rural Electric Cooperative (SREC)

Northwestern corner of Sussex County, New Jersey; NJ's only rural electric cooperative; operational as of May 2026

The cooperative does recognize the NJ Winter Termination Program (Nov 15-Mar 15) for income-eligible members, but members must self-enroll and notify SREC of LIHEAP acceptance (LIHEAP providers do not notify SREC directly)

Members who are LIHEAP recipients are 'subject to being disconnected even during the Winter Moratorium' if they fail to notify SREC and make good-faith payments

Sussex REC is NOT regulated by the NJ BPU - it operates as a cooperative under its own bylaws and tariff

Section 4.08 of the filed tariff sets a $20.00 reconnection fee for consumers disconnected for delinquency, a $50.00 after-hours fee for transfers, reconnections, or new service outside normal business hours, and a $200.00 fee to reestablish service within 12 months of a member-requested disconnection or a nonpayment account closure

The current tariff's copy of this page (Sheet No

11) fails to extract text from the utility's own site, so this pass could not confirm whether a later revision changed these amounts

the $425.00 figure previously shown here for the 12-month fee does not appear in any accessible copy of the tariff and has been corrected to the $200.00 this source states, pending a readable current version

Notice period before disconnection for nonpayment not confirmed from primary source

Contact 973-875-5101 to arrange payment plans

Reconnection fee:$20.00 (reconnection after disconnection for delinquency); $50.00 (after-hours transfer, reconnection, or new service fee); $200.00 (fee to reestablish service within 12 months of a member-requested or nonpayment account closure)

Assistance Programs

LIHEAP: federal heating assistance (members self-report enrollment to SREC — cooperative is not notified directly). Lifeline: $225 annual credit for eligible seniors and disabled. NJ 2-1-1 referrals. Payment arrangements available through Member Services (973-875-5101, Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm). Norwescap (Sussex County): 37 Main Street, Sussex, NJ, 973-862-6680. Family Promise of Sussex County: 19 Church Street, Newton, NJ, 973-579-1180.

"Sussex Rural Electric Cooperative Tariff for Electric Service, Section 4.08 (Third Revised Sheet No. 11, effective May 1, 2013, as compiled in the October 1, 2019 tariff)." sussexrec.com. Retrieved 21 Sep 2026.

Gas Shutoff Rules

Regulatory notice required10 days

Reconnection feeVaries by utility

Major Utilities

Public Service El…New Jersey Natura…South Jersey Gas …Elizabethtown Gas

Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G)

Northern and central New Jersey including Newark, Jersey City, Trenton, and surrounding areas; natural gas distribution overlaps with PSE&G electric territory

10-day notice

Medical emergency protection: service cannot be disconnected if a valid medical emergency exists

physician statement can extend protection up to 2 months (recertification required after 30 days)

10 days written notice required before disconnection for nonpayment (N.J.A.C

14:3-3A.3)

initial bill must be outstanding at least 20 days before notice is sent

Disconnection prohibited on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, NJ State holidays, or the day before a holiday

hours restricted to 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m

Mon-Thu

customers must enroll annually and make good-faith payments

Deferred payment plan available at least once per year

Budget billing available

Regulated by NJ BPU under N.J.A.C

Assistance Programs

Universal Service Fund (USF): $20-$200/month credit for income-eligible customers; USF Fresh Start erases arrears over $60. LIHEAP/HEAP: federal heating grant. NJ Lifeline: $225 annual credit for seniors and disabled. Comfort Partners: free energy efficiency improvements for customers at or below 175% FPL. PAGE: grants for past-due accounts. NJ SHARES: emergency grants. REAP: seven $25 automatic credits, launched summer 2025.

"NJ BPU Residential Utility Customer Protections / NJ PowerSwitch General Customer Rights." nj.gov. Retrieved 19 May 2026.

New Jersey Natural Gas (NJNG)

Monmouth, Ocean, Middlesex, Morris, Burlington, and Mercer counties; subsidiary of New Jersey Resources

10-day notice

Winter Termination Program (Nov 15-Mar 15): income-eligible and hardship-qualified customers protected from disconnection

Medical emergency protection: service cannot be disconnected during a valid medical emergency

physician statement extends protection up to 2 months

10 days written notice required before disconnection for nonpayment (N.J.A.C

14:3-3A.3)

Disconnection prohibited on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, NJ State holidays, or the day before a holiday

hours restricted to 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m

Mon-Thu

annual enrollment required

At least one deferred payment plan per year

Note: NJNG's website disconnection page covers customer-initiated physical disconnection (road opening, 6-8 week process) not nonpayment

specific reconnection fee for nonpayment not confirmed from primary source

Regulated by NJ BPU under N.J.A.C

Assistance Programs

LIHEAP: federal heating grants averaging $300 applied to bill (Oct 1-Jun 30). Emergency LIHEAP: up to $800 additional grant for recipients with shut-off notice or $300+ past due (Mar 16-Jun 30). USF: $20-$200/month credits; maximum $2,400/year; up to 60% of state median income eligible. USF Fresh Start: arrears forgiveness. NJ Lifeline: $225 annual grant for seniors 65+/disabled 18-64. Comfort Partners: free home energy improvements. SAVEGREEN: up to $14,000 in efficiency upgrades for moderate-income homeowners. SHARES: up to $700-$500 per utility for reconnection or continuance. Gift of Warmth: one-time grant up to $500 for financial hardship. Flexible payment plans (no-interest, installments).

"N.J.A.C. 14:3-3A.3, Notice of discontinuance for nonpayment, via Cornell LII." law.cornell.edu. Retrieved 21 Sep 2026.

South Jersey Gas (SJG)

Southern New Jersey; Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland, Salem, Gloucester, Camden, Burlington, and portions of Ocean and Hunterdon counties; subsidiary of South Jersey Industries (SJI)

10-day notice

Winter Termination Program (Nov 15-Mar 15): income-eligible and hardship-qualified customers protected from disconnection

Medical emergency protection: service cannot be disconnected during a valid medical emergency

10 days written notice required before disconnection for nonpayment (N.J.A.C

14:3-3A.3)

Disconnection prohibited on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, NJ State holidays, or the day before a holiday

hours restricted to 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m

Mon-Thu

annual enrollment required

At least one deferred payment plan per year

Note: the $45 disconnect/reconnect fee cited on SJG's website applies to construction-related physical disconnections (house raisings, demolitions), not nonpayment reconnections

specific nonpayment reconnection fee not confirmed from primary source

Regulated by NJ BPU under N.J.A.C

Assistance Programs

LIHEAP: federal heating grants averaging $300 applied to bill. Emergency LIHEAP: up to $800 additional grant. USF: $20-$200/month credits for income-eligible customers; USF Fresh Start erases arrears. Lifeline Assistance: $225 for eligible seniors and SSI recipients. NJ SHARES: emergency grants up to $500-$700 per utility. PAGE: grants for past-due or disconnected accounts. NJ Comfort Partners: free energy efficiency program for qualified low-income customers. Free home weatherization for income-qualified residents.

"N.J.A.C. 14:3-3A.3, Notice of discontinuance for nonpayment, via Cornell LII." law.cornell.edu. Retrieved 21 Sep 2026.

Elizabethtown Gas

Union, Middlesex, Sussex, Warren, Hunterdon, Morris, and Mercer counties; over 300,000 customers; subsidiary of South Jersey Industries (SJI); operates under its own Elizabethtown Gas brand (not rebranded to South Jersey Gas)

10-day notice

Winter Termination Program (Nov 15-Mar 15): income-eligible and hardship-qualified customers protected from disconnection

Medical emergency protection: service cannot be disconnected during a valid medical emergency

Elizabethtown Gas may discontinue service for nonpayment where the amount owed is more than $100 and more than three months delinquent, after giving the customer at least 10 days' written notice of its intent to discontinue (Tariff B.P.U

19, Section 7)

Disconnection prohibited on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, NJ State holidays, or the day before a holiday

hours restricted to 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m

Mon-Thu

annual enrollment required

At least one deferred payment plan per year

Reconnection and Collection Charges (Section 11.01): $30.00 to turn on or restore service after suspension or discontinuance for nonpayment

a separate $15.00 charge when the company makes a collection visit

up to $200.00 when termination required installing a curb box

The $15.00 figure previously shown here as the reconnection fee was actually the tariff's service-establishment charge for a new or transferred account, not the nonpayment reconnection charge, and has been corrected

Elizabethtown Gas continues to operate as a distinct brand under parent SJI alongside South Jersey Gas

it has not been merged into or rebranded as SJG

Regulated by NJ BPU under N.J.A.C

14:3 and Tariff B.P.U

Reconnection fee:$30.00 to turn on or restore service after suspension or discontinuance; a separate $15.00 charge applies for a collection visit, and up to $200.00 if a curb box must be installed to terminate service

Assistance Programs

LIHEAP: federal heating grants averaging $300. Emergency LIHEAP: up to $800 additional grant (Mar 16-Jun 30). USF: $20-$200/month credits; USF Fresh Start erases arrears over $60. Lifeline: $225 annual credit for eligible seniors and SSI recipients. NJ SHARES: emergency energy bill grants. PAGE: grants for past-due or disconnected accounts. NJ Comfort Partners: free energy efficiency improvements. HomeServe Cares: emergency repair assistance for qualifying homeowners. Free home weatherization for income-qualified customers.

"Elizabethtown Gas Company Tariff for Gas Service, B.P.U. No. 19." elizabethtowngas.com. Retrieved 21 Sep 2026.

Water Shutoff Rules

Regulatory notice required10 days

Major Utilities

New Jersey Americ…Middlesex Water Co Veolia Water New …

New Jersey American Water

Largest investor-owned water utility in NJ; serves municipalities in 17 of 21 counties statewide; subsidiary of American Water Works (AWK)

10-day notice

Winter Termination Program (Nov 15-Mar 15): income-eligible customers receiving HEAP, TANF, SSI, PAAD, GA, USF, or Lifeline, or those self-certifying financial hardship, are protected from disconnection

Medical need certification: physician statement provides up to 3 months service continuance

10 days written notice required before disconnection for nonpayment (N.J.A.C

14:3-3A.3)

Disconnection prohibited on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, NJ State holidays, or the day before a holiday

hours restricted to 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m

Mon-Thu

At least one deferred payment plan per year

Reconnection fee ($350 minimum) must be paid before service is restored after physical disconnection for nonpayment

Regulated by NJ BPU under N.J.A.C

14:3 and Tariff B.P.U

No. 8

Reconnection fee:$350.00 minimum (company's actual cost of reconnection, or $350.00, whichever is more) after physical disconnection for nonpayment or violation of service terms

Assistance Programs

H2O Help to Others Program (administered by SHARES): up to $500 per application for customers at or below 300% FPL; available once every three years. Universal Affordability Discount: tiered discounts of 15-60% on fixed service charges and usage fees for customers at or below 200% FPL. LIHWAP (Low Income Household Water Assistance Program): NJ state program for customers at or below 60% of state median income. LIHEAP Emergency: can cover water bill arrears. NJ 2-1-1 for referrals. Budget billing and payment arrangements (call 1-800-272-1325). Medical need certification: up to 3 months service continuance (call 1-855-669-8753).

"NJ American Water - Rights & Responsibilities / H2O Help to Others / Tariff B.P.U. No. 8." amwater.com. Retrieved 19 May 2026.

Middlesex Water Company

Eastern Middlesex County and portions of Union County; serves approximately 62,000 customers in Carteret, Edison, Metuchen, South Amboy, South Plainfield, Woodbridge (Middlesex County), and Clark Township (Union County); independent publicly traded company (NYSE: MSEX)

10-day notice

Winter Termination Program (Nov 15-Mar 15): income-eligible customers are protected from disconnection

Medical emergency protection applies

10 days written notice required before disconnection for nonpayment (N.J.A.C

14:3-3A.3)

Disconnection prohibited on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, NJ State holidays, or the day before a holiday

hours restricted to 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m

Mon-Thu

Reconnection: customer must pay entire past-due balance plus $28.00 reconnection fee

service restored within 24 hours of payment

At least one deferred payment plan per year

Regulated by NJ BPU under N.J.A.C

14:3 and Tariff B.P.U

No. 1

Reconnection fee:$28.00

Assistance Programs

LIHWAP (Low Income Household Water Assistance Program): state program for households at or below 60% of state median income. LIHEAP Emergency: can be applied to water bill arrears. NJ 2-1-1 for referrals. Budget billing available. Payment arrangements available (call 800-549-3802). Service restored within 24 hours of full payment receipt.

"Middlesex Water Company Tariff for Water and Wastewater Service, B.P.U. No. 1 (Rate Schedule No. 4, Miscellaneous Service Charges)." middlesexwater.com. Retrieved 21 Sep 2026.

Veolia Water New Jersey (formerly Suez Water New Jersey)

Primarily Bergen and Hudson counties; serves approximately one million residents in municipalities including Hackensack, Teaneck, Fort Lee, Fair Lawn, Paramus, Englewood, Hoboken, Secaucus, Union City, and surrounding communities; formerly United Water NJ / Suez Water NJ; rebranded to Veolia in 2022 after Veolia-Suez merger

10-day notice

Winter Termination Program (Nov 15-Mar 15): income-eligible customers are protected from disconnection

Medical emergency protection applies

10 days written notice required before disconnection for nonpayment (N.J.A.C

14:3-3A.3)

Disconnection prohibited on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, NJ State holidays, or the day before a holiday

hours restricted to 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m

Mon-Thu

customers must notify company and enroll

At least one deferred payment plan per year

Specific reconnection fee not confirmed from primary source — tariff PDFs (B.P.U

No. 1) were inaccessible/unreadable during research

Regulated by NJ BPU under N.J.A.C

Brand name: company operates as 'Veolia Water New Jersey Inc.' in BPU filings since 2022

some local references still use 'Suez Water.'

Assistance Programs

SUEZ Cares (now branded Veolia Cares): grants to pay water bills for households in financial crisis — applicants must be customers with service established and have paid at least $20 on account in last 90 days; call 888-942-8080. LIHWAP: state program for households at or below 60% of state median income. LIHEAP Emergency: can be applied to water arrears. NJ 2-1-1 for referrals. Budget billing and payment arrangements available.

"N.J.A.C. 14:3-3A.3, Notice of discontinuance for nonpayment, via Cornell LII." law.cornell.edu. Retrieved 21 Sep 2026.

Medical & Vulnerable Household Exemptions

Valid medical emergency in the household prohibits disconnection on that day. No weekend or holiday shutoffs protect all customers. Medical emergency certification provides additional protection during non-moratorium periods.

Low-Income Protections

USF (Universal Service Fund) provides bill credits and arrearage management for low-income customers. NJ Lifeline program provides additional assistance to elderly and disabled residents. LIHEAP available through NJ DCA.

Your State Regulator

File a complaint or get help from New Jersey's utility regulator →

Data last verified: 2026-09-21. Rules may change — verify with your state regulator.