New Jersey Winter Shutoff Protections to Begin Nov. 15

The state's Winter Termination Program shields eligible residential utility customers from disconnection through March 15.

Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in Utilities

Bold flat-color vector editorial illustration of a copper gas pipe and valve rising from frosted ground beside a grey wall, evoking winter utility service. — New Jersey's Winter Termination Program bars utility shutoffs for eligible residential customers from November 15 through March 15, covering recipients of LIHEAP, SSI and TANF. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should utilities be required to shut off service to customers during winter months?

New Jersey's Winter Termination Program begins protecting eligible residential customers from shutoffs of electric, gas, water and wastewater service on November 15, 2026. The program runs through March 15 and is not a blanket suspension of disconnections for every customer.

Why it matters

Households that fall behind on utility bills during the coldest months face service loss that can be dangerous in winter. The program gives qualifying residents a defined window of protection while leaving overdue balances in place.

The protection window runs from November 15 to March 15, about four months of coverage for eligible residential customers. The Winter Termination Program does not erase overdue bills, and the number of households expected to qualify was not reported.

The players

New Jersey Board of Public Utilities

The state agency that oversees electric, gas, water and wastewater utilities in New Jersey and administers customer assistance, including the Division of Customer Assistance, which handles winter termination self-certifications.

Department of Community Affairs

The New Jersey state department that operates a parallel winter protection program for eligible municipal electric, water and sewer customers.

The details

Qualifying customers include recipients of LIHEAP, the Universal Service Fund, SSI, TANF, Lifeline, PAAD and General Assistance, along with certain water-assistance applicants. Customers unable to pay due to unemployment, illness, medical expenses or the recent death of an immediate family member may also qualify by self-certifying their inability to pay to the utility or the Board of Public Utilities' Division of Customer Assistance.

November 15, 2026: Winter shutoff protections begin.
March 15, 2027: Winter Termination Program ends.

Seasonal Protections

The Winter Termination Program follows New Jersey's established practice of time-limited winter shutoff protections, with a fixed November 15 to March 15 window that applies to qualifying residential customers. Its parallel municipal program under the Department of Community Affairs shows the state extending the same winter safeguard across both private and municipal utility systems.

Eligible households can call their utility company or the BPU at 800-624-0241 to request protection from winter disconnection. The program prevents shutoffs during the protected period but does not erase past-due balances, so customers should still plan to address any arrears.

The takeaway

Residents facing unpaid utility bills this winter should contact their provider or the BPU early, since self-certification can stop a shutoff but leaves the debt owed.