Weather Protections and Service-Shutoffs in New Jersey

Learn more about how to avoid a service shut-off and what protections you have during extreme weather.

Weather Protections

The Board of Public Utilities (BPU) has adopted the Summer Termination Program (STP) and Winter Termination Program (WTP) to protect eligible residential customers from service shutoffs during designated seasonal protection periods. STP protections apply from June 15 through August 31, and WTP protections apply from November 15 through March 15.

Residential electric and gas customers who receive benefits from any of the several assistance programs listed below will not have their service shut off if they make a good-faith effort to pay as much as they can afford during the heating/cooling season.

Other customers unable to pay because of circumstances beyond their control may also qualify.

Assistance Programs:

Lifeline Credit
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) or another qualifying water/wastewater assistance program
Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled (PAAD)
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Universal Service Fund (USF)
Work First New Jersey – General Assistance (GA)
Work First New Jersey – Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)

LEARN MORE ABOUT THESE PROGRAMS

How to Get Help

If you are a protected customer, you must contact us to prevent a service shut-off.