Quick answer. Cover food and medicine, then the bills that keep a roof over your head and the lights on, then health coverage. Call the people you owe before you miss a payment. Don't pay anyone who promises to make debt or bad credit disappear. If you live in New Jersey, the state programs below can help with rent, utilities, food and health coverage. Each link goes to the official page.
If you're reading this because money ran out before the month did, you're not alone, and there's an order that makes the next few weeks easier. None of this needs a payment to anyone.
First steps, in order
Protect your housing
Among the bills you owe, rent or the mortgage comes first. The CFPB notes that the costs of losing a place to live add up fast (CFPB bill tool). If you're behind, talk to your landlord or mortgage servicer now, not after a court notice.
New Jersey: the DCA's Office of Eviction Prevention runs Comprehensive Eviction Defense & Diversion (CEDD) in every county. Eligible low-income households facing eviction get a free attorney and a resource navigator who connects them to rental assistance (OEP page). Hotline (609) 376-0810.
Keep the utilities on
Call your utility before a shutoff notice turns into a shutoff. In New Jersey, apply for USF and LIHEAP with one application, and ask about the Winter Termination Program (November 15 to March 15). Details are below.
Keep food on the table
The FTC suggests setting aside what you need for food, medicine and other necessities first (FTC). In New Jersey, apply for NJ SNAP at MyNJHelps.gov, and for WIC if someone in your home is pregnant, recently gave birth, or is a child under 5. Dial 2-1-1 for food help near you.
Keep health coverage
A lapse in coverage can turn one doctor visit into a new debt. In New Jersey, NJ FamilyCare is the state's public health care coverage program, and Get Covered New Jersey is the state marketplace, open for 2027 plans until January 31, 2027.
If you lost work, file for unemployment now
New Jersey's instructions say: "You should always file your claim as soon as possible after becoming unemployed," and "No benefits can be paid to you for any week before you actually file" (NJ DOL Form BC-10). File online at myunemployment.nj.gov, any time of day.
Talk to creditors early
"If you're behind on your bills, call the creditors you owe money to. Don't wait" (FTC). Ask for a new due date that lines up with your paydays, or a short-term arrangement (CFPB). Get any change in writing (FTC). Use our which bills come first calculator to see which calls to make first.
Avoid scams
People in a tight spot are exactly who scammers look for. The four common ones are below. The pattern is the same each time: a promise, then a fee before anything happens.
New Jersey help, by need
Program names and contact details as published on nj.gov, checked November 2026. Each program decides who qualifies; the links go to the official rules.
Utility bills
Universal Service Fund (USF)
A monthly credit on eligible customers' natural gas and electric bills. From the 2026-27 season the credit is at least $20 and up to $200 a month for gas and electric combined, and USF is designed so households don't pay more than 3 percent of income on energy, up to the cap (BPU). Apply year-round online at dcaid.dca.nj.gov or by mail through a local agency (DCA USF page).
USF-Fresh Start forgives the overdue balance that existed when you enrolled in USF; your utility enrolls eligible customers (BPU).
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
The DCA's Home Energy Assistance Program helps very low-income residents with heating and cooling bills, with provisions for emergency heating system services and emergency fuel (DCA LIHEAP page). The 2026-27 application period runs October 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, first-come, first-served while funding lasts (BPU).
One application covers USF and LIHEAP: dcaid.dca.nj.gov, or call 1-800-510-3102. The 211 New Jersey Utility Assistance Hotline is (866) 240-1347.
Winter Termination Program (shutoff protection)
Protects qualifying households from utility disconnections from November 15 through March 15. Call your utility during that period and ask to be enrolled (BPU). The BPU says it covers water, wastewater, gas and electric service, and that these customers can self-certify to the utility (BPU programs page).
Who qualifies, per the DCA: people receiving LIHEAP (HEAP), TANF, SSI, PAAD, General Assistance, USF, Lifeline or low-income water assistance, and people unable to pay because of circumstances beyond their control, such as unemployment, illness, medical expenses or a recent death in the immediate family (DCA page).
If service was already shut off
The BPU says customers can call their utility to have service restored with proof of an application for USF, LIHEAP or PAGE, with a down payment of up to 25 percent of the outstanding balance (BPU programs page). The same page lists PAGE (Payment Assistance for Gas and Electric), Lifeline for qualified seniors and people with disabilities, and Comfort Partners. BPU: (800) 624-0241.
Rent and eviction
Office of Eviction Prevention
Oversees eviction prevention and diversion, including rental assistance. Its CEDD program offers a free attorney and a resource navigator for eligible low-income households facing or threatened with eviction, in every county (OEP page). Hotline (609) 376-0810, evictionprevention@dca.nj.gov.
Rental help and the Eviction Guide
The DCA describes CEDD as offering rental assistance for arrears or future rent, plus relocation and utility help, and its Homelessness Prevention Program as helping pay rent arrears (DCA). The interactive NJ Eviction Guide walks tenants through each stage of the eviction process, and tenants can check eligibility for DCA programs at dcaid.dca.nj.gov (DCA).
Food
NJ SNAP
Check eligibility at NJHelps.gov (5 to 10 minutes) and apply at MyNJHelps.gov (20 to 45 minutes), or apply in person, by mail or fax through your County Social Service Agency (NJ SNAP).
WIC
For pregnant women, women who gave birth in the last six months, breastfeeding women who gave birth in the last year, and infants and children under five, in low- and no-income families. Apply by contacting your local WIC agency or clinic for an appointment (NJ WIC).
Health coverage
NJ FamilyCare
"New Jersey's public health care coverage program," covering children under 19, adults and pregnant women (DMAHS). Apply online, call 1-800-701-0710 (TTY 711), or visit your county social services office (NJ FamilyCare).
Get Covered New Jersey
Open enrollment for 2027 plans runs November 1, 2026 through January 31, 2027. State subsidies called New Jersey Health Plan Savings are available for households up to 600 percent of the federal poverty level. Call 1-833-677-1010 (TTY 711) or go to nj.gov/getcoverednj (DOBI).
Unemployment
NJ Department of Labor
Apply online 24 hours a day at myunemployment.nj.gov (Form BC-10). Reemployment Call Centers can take a claim by phone: North 201-601-4100, Central 732-761-2020, South 856-507-2340; out of state 888-795-6672; NJ Relay 7-1-1 (NJ DOL). Our laid off in New Jersey guide covers the first two weeks.
Spot the scam
These four show up most when money is tight. We don't name companies; the warning signs are what matter. Report a scam at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Debt relief and debt settlement
The pitch: pay us and we'll settle your debts for less.
- "Only scammers will try to collect fees from you before they settle any of your debts" (FTC).
- "Only scammers will guarantee to settle all your debts" or say they can stop all collection lawsuits (FTC).
- Settlement companies usually tell you to stop paying creditors. Fees and interest keep adding up, your credit is further damaged, you can be sued, and forgiven debt could mean taxes (CFPB).
Instead: call your creditors yourself, or talk to a credit counselor who doesn't charge before doing anything (FTC).
Credit repair
The pitch: we'll clean up your credit report fast.
- "Scammers insist you pay them before they help you" (FTC).
- "Scammers tell you not to contact the credit bureaus directly" (FTC).
- Promises to remove accurate negative information, offers of a "new" credit identity, or advice to file a false identity theft report are warning signs (FTC).
Instead: "Anything a credit repair company can do, you'll be able to do for yourself for little or no cost" (FTC).
Advance-fee loans
The pitch: bad credit, no problem, you're approved; just pay a fee first.
- "Banks and other legitimate lenders won't promise or guarantee you a loan or credit before you apply" (FTC).
- "Any up-front fee that the lender wants to collect before granting the loan is a cue to walk away" (FTC).
Instead: check that the lender is registered in your state, and don't pay for a promise (FTC).
"Government grant" calls
The pitch: you qualify for free government money for your bills; pay a processing fee.
- "Government agencies won't contact you by phone, text, social media, or email about a grant that you didn't apply for" (FTC).
- "Government agencies that award grants will not demand that you pay to get a grant" (FTC).
Instead: real federal grants are listed at grants.gov. For help with bills, use the state programs above.
More Tough Times tools
- Which bills come first?Put your bills in order for the money you have.
- Hardship lettersAsk a lender, landlord or utility for more time, in writing.
- Your rights with debt collectorsWhat a collector can and can't do.
- Fix your own creditCheck your reports and dispute errors yourself, for free.
- Help with medical billsQuestions to ask before you pay a medical bill.
- Side income, honestlyReal ways to earn a little more, with no hype.
Related pages
- Laid off in New Jersey: unemployment, health coverage and your last paycheck.
- SNAP work hours counter and Medicaid work hours counter.
- How to build a monthly household budget, for when things settle down.
- Sued for a debt in New Jersey.
- Laid Off in New Jersey Kit: a checklist kit for the first two weeks after a layoff.
- Job Loss Money Reset Bundle: the layoff kit plus a household budget workbook and a debt payoff workbook.
Sources
- CFPB, Your Money, Your Goals: Prioritizing bills (printable tool)
- CFPB: Tools to help when you can't pay your bills
- CFPB: What is the difference between credit counseling and debt settlement, debt consolidation, or credit repair? (reviewed Oct. 28, 2026)
- FTC consumer alert: Managing your bills during COVID-19 (Apr. 21, 2020)
- FTC: How To Get Out of Debt (Dec. 2025)
- FTC consumer alert: Looking to fix your credit? An illegal credit repair scam isn't the answer (Dec. 29, 2025)
- FTC: What To Know About Advance-Fee Loans
- FTC consumer alert: How to avoid government grant scams that offer free money for personal expenses (Mar. 5, 2026)
- NJ DCA: Universal Service Fund (USF)
- NJ DCA: Low Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP)
- NJ BPU: Utility Aid Program Now Open (Oct. 30, 2026)
- NJ BPU: Assistance programs
- NJ DCA: Winter Termination Program
- NJ DCA: Office of Eviction Prevention (OEP)
- NJ DCA: Eviction defense tool release (July 23, 2025)
- NJ DCA: Resource series on tenants facing eviction (Oct. 2, 2026)
- NJ SNAP: Ways to apply
- NJ Department of Health: Apply for WIC
- NJ Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services: NJ FamilyCare
- NJ FamilyCare: How to apply
- NJ DOBI: Get Covered New Jersey open enrollment for the 2027 plan year (Oct. 28, 2026)
- NJ Department of Labor: Instructions for claiming unemployment benefits (Form BC-10)
- NJ Department of Labor: Reemployment Call Centers
General information checked November 2026 against the CFPB, FTC and nj.gov pages above. Not legal, financial or benefits advice, and not affiliated with any agency. Each program decides who qualifies; amounts, dates and phone numbers can change, so confirm on the official page before you rely on them.
Common questions
What should I pay first when I can't pay everything?
The FTC suggests setting aside what you need for food, medicine and other necessities, then looking at what would happen if you couldn't pay each bill. The CFPB's bill tool groups the bills that keep you housed, keep the utilities on, keep you working and keep needed insurance, and lists other loans and credit cards with your other obligations. Our free calculator puts your own bills in that order.
Should I call a creditor before I miss a payment?
Yes, if you can. The FTC says to call the creditors you owe money to and not to wait. The CFPB suggests asking about short-term arrangements or a new due date that lines up with when you're paid. Get any change in writing.
Can my utility shut off service in the winter in New Jersey?
New Jersey's Winter Termination Program protects qualifying households from gas and electric shutoffs from November 15 through March 15, according to the Board of Public Utilities. Call your utility during that period and ask to be enrolled. The DCA page lists who qualifies, including people receiving USF, LIHEAP, SSI or TANF and people who can't pay because of circumstances beyond their control, such as unemployment or illness.
Is a company that promises to settle my debts for less a good idea?
Be careful. The CFPB warns about debt settlement companies that charge upfront fees, and says they usually tell you to stop paying your creditors, which can add fees and interest, damage your credit and lead to lawsuits. The FTC says only scammers collect fees before they settle any of your debts.
Someone called to say I qualify for a free government grant. Is it real?
The FTC says government agencies won't contact you by phone, text, social media or email about a grant you didn't apply for, and won't make you pay to get one. Hang up and report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Where do I start if I live in New Jersey?
Dial 2-1-1 or use the DCAid screener at dcaid.dca.nj.gov to see which state housing and utility programs to look at. Then apply directly with each program; the links on this page go to the official nj.gov pages.