Newsroom & Public Notices

UAD to Connect Residents to Cost-Saving Programs

TRENTON - The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) will host the Monmouth County Utility Assistance Day (UAD) on Tuesday, October 28, in partnership with Monmouth County and the City of Asbury Park. The event will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Boys & Girls Club of Monmouth County, 1201 Monroe Ave, Asbury Park, NJ 07712. 

“Connecting people with information on how to bring down energy costs is a priority of the Board of Public Utilities and why we hold Utility Assistance Day events,” said NJBPU President Christine Guhl-Sadovy. “With winter weather approaching, we encourage everyone who needs or thinks they may need energy bill assistance to please join us in Asbury Park to meet with our customer assistance team and on-site community partners to learn about and apply for the energy bill assistance programs available to New Jersey ratepayers."

UADs have proven to be highly effective in helping connect residents with social services and assistance programs offered by State and utility providers. The Monmouth County UAD is the latest in a series of successful UADs. More than 9,700 residents have attended a UAD, including recently in Passaic, Ewing, Cliffside Park, Linden, Burlington City, Phillipsburg, and Bridgeton. For a video of a previous UAD, click here.

“We are proud to join Board of Public Utilities President Christine Guhl-Sadovy in bringing local residents and organizations together to assist residents at the BPU’s Monmouth County Community Utility Assistance Day on Tuesday, October 28 in Ashbury Park,” said Senator Vin Gopal. “We urge residents to take advantage of this opportunity to get information that may help them lower their utility costs.”

“This event will provide information to residents about their utilities and give them a great opportunity to connect residents from Monmouth County to the robust portfolio of utility assistance programs available to them, especially for low- and moderate-income households,” said Assemblywoman Luanne Peterpaul. “This event reflects our ongoing commitment to supporting the well-being of residents, especially those experiencing financial hardships.”

“New Jersey residents are struggling to manage their bills in the wake of double-digit spikes in electric and natural gas rates,” said Assemblywoman Margie Donlon. “Monmouth County Community Utility Assistance Day is an opportunity for residents to learn about various assistance programs and have local and state officials answer their questions and guide them through the application process.”

“Far too many families in our community are facing the tough choice between keeping the lights on and putting food on the table,” said Asbury Park Deputy Mayor Amy Quinn. “That’s not a choice anyone should have to make. I’m grateful to the NJBPU and our 11th District legislators for bringing Utility Assistance Day to Monmouth County, because it connects people directly with the help they need."

“Even with federal uncertainty, the State of New Jersey remains committed to helping families make ends meet,” said New Jersey Department of Community Affairs Commissioner Jacquelyn A. Suárez. “Utility costs continue to strain households in Monmouth County and across the state, but help is available. Programs like the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program and the Universal Service Fund can make a real difference, and applying is simple. We encourage residents not to wait to seek the support they need.”

“This is a wonderful opportunity for Passaic County residents to learn about the utility assistance programs available and how to apply. Many of the individuals and families that 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 residents concerned about higher utility bills to attend this informative event to learn what assistance may be available.”

Participating Organizations include JCP&L, NJNG, Affordable Housing Alliance, Community Affairs and Resources Center, Department of Human Services (Lifeline navigators), New Jersey Clean Energy, and Shares.

To determine eligibility for utility assistance on-site, residents attending the Monmouth County UAD in Asbury Park 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.); and
• All pages of electric, natural gas, and/or heating bills.

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. Fresh Start is available to customers once every five years. To self-screen for USF eligibility or apply online, please visit www.nj.gov/dca/dcaid or call 2-1-1 for more information.

For those unable to attend, please call 2-1-1 to learn more about New Jersey’s utility assistance programs. Those with complaints or concerns regarding their utility company are encouraged to call the NJBPU at 800-624-0241 or file online here.

NJBPU Division of Customer Assistance: (800)-624-0241

New Jersey Board of Public Utilities

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.