For Immediate Release:	Contact: Bailey Lawrence
Date: 03/25/2024	908-812-4865

ELIZABETH – The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) will host the Union County Community Utility Assistance Day on Wednesday, March 27 in partnership with the City of Elizabeth. The event will be held at the Mickey Walker Center, 860 Anna Street, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. This resource fair will connect residents with utility assistance programs and their local utility companies and is the latest in a series of successful Utility Assistance Days cohosted by the NJBPU across the state. Together, more than 6,500 residents have attended NJBPU Utility Assistance Days since the outset of the Murphy Administration.

 

“The Murphy Administration is committed to ensuring that low- and moderate-income residents who need energy assistance have access to these resources,” said NJBPU President Christine Guhl-Sadovy. “We look forward to partnering with one of New Jersey’s largest and most diverse cities to help maximize the impact of our utility assistance programs.”

 

“I am proud to announce our upcoming Community Utility Assistance Day, free to our residents,” said Mayor of Elizabeth J. Christian Bollwage. “Our community's strength lies in our ability to support one another. On March 27th, we're coming together to offer assistance with utility bills to those who may be facing any financial strain. Mark your calendars and help spread the word – together, we can make a difference.”

 

“I am thrilled to see the BPU taking proactive steps to connect with our community in Elizabeth,” said Senator Joseph Cryan. “This event signifies our collective commitment to ensuring every resident has the knowledge and resources they need to thrive. I strongly encourage all to take time to stop by and discover the valuable programs available to them.”

 

“The NJBPU’s partnership with the City of Elizabeth will prove instrumental to ensuring our hard-working residents can benefit from crucial utility assistance programs,” said Assemblyman Reginald Atkins. “I applaud the NJBPU for working to deliver the accessible, reliable services our communities deserve.”

 

Several organizations will be available to help customers apply on-site for utility grant programs, including: Aetna, Comfort Partners, ETG, Hoboken Promise, Hopes Cap, Lifeline (New Jersey Department of Human Services), NJ Shares, Proceed, PSE&G, and Union County Human Services.

 

“We encourage families that are experiencing a hardship to apply for assistance with their utility bills,” said Department of Community Affairs Acting Commissioner Jacquelyn A. Suárez. “DCA has programs that can help low- and moderate-income residents with their heating and cooling bills and makes provisions for emergency heating system services and emergency fuel assistance. DCA is here to help. We don’t want to see anyone without utility service due to economic circumstances. To see if you are eligible, visit dcaid.dca.nj.gov.”

 

“This is a wonderful opportunity for Union County residents to learn about the utility assistance programs available and how to apply. Many of the individuals and families we serve at the New Jersey Department of Human Services are eligible for utility assistance but may not know it. This includes individuals and families participating in the Work First New Jersey program, the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, and older adults or people with disabilities participating in the Lifeline Utility Assistance Program,” said Human Services Commissioner Sarah Adelman. “I encourage all eligible residents concerned about higher utility bills to attend this informative event and get familiar with the resources available to them from the State.”

 

Additionally, customers in arrears who enroll in the Universal Service Fund (USF) program will be automatically screened for the Fresh Start program. Fresh Start provides eligible USF customers an opportunity to have their overdue gas and electric balances forgiven by paying only their current monthly bills on time and in full. To self-screen for USF eligibility or apply online, please visit www.nj.gov/dca/dcaid or call 2-1-1 for more information.

 

To determine eligibility for utility assistance on-site, residents attending the resource fair should bring the following:

• One month of income statements from within the past eight weeks (or a zero income statement) for all adult household members;
• Copies of social security cards or residency status for all household members;
• Proof of address (i.e., copy of rental lease or housing authority letter). (If you are a homeowner, please bring your tax bill, mortgage statement, or deed.);
• All pages of electric, natural gas, and/or heating bills

 

For those unable to attend, please call 2-1-1 to learn more about the State’s utility assistance programs. If you wish to share a complaint regarding your utility company, please call the NJBPU at 800-624-0241 or visit us online at www.nj.gov/bpu/.

 

Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) 

NJBPU is a state agency and regulatory authority mandated to ensure safe, adequate and proper utility services at reasonable rates for New Jersey customers. Critical services regulated by NJBPU include natural gas, electricity, water, wastewater, telecommunications and cable television. The Board has general oversight and responsibility for monitoring utility service, responding to consumer complaints, and investigating utility accidents. To find out more about NJBPU, visit our website at www.nj.gov/bpu.