The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) announced Monday that residents affected by recent delays in federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments may qualify for utility assistance and shutoff protections through the state’s Winter Termination Program (WTP) and other support services.
The Winter Termination Program, which runs from November 15 through March 15, prevents participating residential customers from having their natural gas, electric, water, or sewer services shut off during the winter months. New Jerseyans who rely on SNAP and can show they are unable to pay utility bills due to the interruption in federal benefits may be eligible for the program.
Governor Phil Murphy said the state is working to assist families impacted by what he described as a “reckless federal decision” that left hundreds of thousands without timely SNAP payments.
In addition to SNAP households, residents enrolled in programs such as the Universal Service Fund (USF), Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Lifeline, Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled (PAAD), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are also eligible for WTP protections.
LIHEAP, a federally funded program, provides assistance to low- and moderate-income households to help pay for winter heating costs. Tenants whose heat is included in rent may still qualify. Grants for medically necessary cooling are also available. Applications are accepted from October 1 through June 30.
Residents seeking WTP protections must notify their utility company directly to confirm eligibility. Notification can be made verbally or through a self-certification form, depending on the type of utility provider. Utilities may request documentation showing enrollment in an eligible assistance program.
The WTP self-certification form and information on energy assistance programs are available at:
https://www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/dhcr/
Households can apply for LIHEAP and the Universal Service Fund through the DCAid portal at:
https://dcaid.dca.nj.gov/en-US/
Additional Aid Options
Several other programs administered or supported by DCA offer ongoing utility assistance:
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Universal Service Fund (USF) and Fresh Start: Provides monthly credits for electricity and natural gas bills. Fresh Start offers forgiveness for overdue balances.
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Lifeline: Offers annual benefits to low-income seniors and individuals with disabilities.
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PAGE (Payment Assistance for Gas and Electric): Provides grants to avoid disconnection or restore service.
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NJ SHARES: A nonprofit that helps income-eligible households with energy, water, telephone, broadband, and wastewater bills.