Behind on Rent or Utilities in NJ? Where to Get Help

Short answer. For gas and electric bills, apply for the Universal Service Fund (USF) and LIHEAP with one application through DCAid (dcaid.dca.nj.gov) or by calling 1-800-510-3102. If you face a winter shutoff, call your utility about the Winter Termination Program, which runs November 15 to March 15. If you're behind on rent or facing eviction, call the DCA Office of Eviction Prevention at 609-376-0810 for free legal help and resource navigators in every county.

First, two calls

The Board of Public Utilities says to apply for help and to tell your utility right away if you need help, face a shutoff or have been disconnected. With rent, talk to your landlord early and in writing if you can. Then use the programs below.

Gas and electric bills

Universal Service Fund (USF). A monthly credit on gas and electric bills for low- and moderate-income households. The BPU says the minimum monthly credit is now $20 each for gas and electric, and the maximum is $200 combined. The DCA says you can apply year round.
LIHEAP (Home Energy Assistance). Help with heating and certain medically needed cooling costs. Applications opened October 1, 2026 and run through June 30, 2027, first come, first served while funds last. USF and LIHEAP share one application. The BPU page says renters whose heat is included in the rent may qualify. See DCA's energy assistance page.
USF Fresh Start. Forgives part of an overdue utility balance for USF enrollees with $60 or more overdue, once every five years. You don't apply; your utility enrolls you when you join USF.
PAGE (Payment Assistance for Gas and Electric). Run by NJ SHARES for low- to moderate-income households, including some above USF limits. The BPU page says it can also help with phone, internet, water, wastewater, tax, rent and mortgage bills. Call 1-866-657-4273 or 2-1-1.
Lifeline Energy Assistance. A yearly energy benefit for qualified seniors and people with disabilities, through the NJSAVE application or 1-800-792-9745.

How to apply for USF and LIHEAP: online at dcaid.dca.nj.gov, or by mail through a local agency. Call 1-800-510-3102 for eligibility, local in-person help or application status. Income limits are at energyassistance.nj.gov. We don't repeat them here because they change.

Shutoffs and reconnection

Winter Termination Program. From November 15 through March 15, qualifying customers can't have gas, electric, water or wastewater service shut off. The DCA page lists who qualifies, including people receiving LIHEAP, USF, TANF, SSI, PAAD or General Assistance, and people who can't pay because of circumstances beyond their control such as unemployment, illness or a recent death in the family. Call your utility to ask for protection. Questions the utility can't answer go to the BPU at 800-624-0241.

Reconnection. The BPU says a customer who has applied for USF, LIHEAP or PAGE, and wasn't enrolled the year before, can ask the utility to restore service with proof of the application and a down payment of up to 25% of the balance.

Rent and eviction

Office of Eviction Prevention (OEP). The DCA runs eviction prevention and diversion programs, including rental assistance, social services and free lawyers for eligible low-income tenants. Hotline: 609-376-0810; email evictionprevention@dca.nj.gov.
Free lawyers and resource navigators in every county. Through DCA's eviction defense and diversion program, providers in each county can represent tenants and negotiate with landlords, and navigators help with rent arrears and moving costs. The OEP page lists the provider for your county.
NJ Eviction Guide. DCA's interactive guide at evictionguide.dca.nj.gov explains each stage of an eviction, tenant defenses and the evidence you need, and connects you to county services.
Check DCA programs at dcaid.dca.nj.gov.

If you get court papers about an eviction, read them right away and contact the OEP or your county provider. Don't wait for the court date.

Phone and internet

The federal Lifeline program gives up to $9.25 a month toward phone or internet service for qualifying households. The BPU page lists participating providers and their numbers.

Example: putting it in order (hypothetical renter)

A renter in December owes $310 on gas and electric and is one month behind on $1,650 rent after a layoff.

Call the utility, mention the layoff, and ask for Winter Termination Program protection.
Apply for USF and LIHEAP the same day at dcaid.dca.nj.gov. If a balance stays overdue, Fresh Start may apply once USF starts.
Call NJ SHARES (1-866-657-4273) to ask whether PAGE can help with the utility or rent.
Write to the landlord with a payment proposal, and call the OEP hotline (609-376-0810) to ask about rental assistance through the county provider.

The household and amounts are invented for illustration. Each program decides who qualifies.

Sources

Common questions

Can my gas or electric be shut off in winter in New Jersey?

Under the Winter Termination Program, qualifying customers are protected from November 15 through March 15. Call your utility to ask for protection; the DCA page lists who qualifies.

Can I get LIHEAP if heat is included in my rent?

The BPU page says renters whose heat is included in the rent may qualify. Apply through DCAid or call 1-800-510-3102 to check.

Is there free legal help if my landlord files for eviction?

Yes. DCA funds providers in every county that offer free lawyers to eligible low-income tenants and resource navigators. Call the Office of Eviction Prevention at 609-376-0810.

My service is already off. What can I do?

The BPU describes a reconnection option for customers who have applied for USF, LIHEAP or PAGE and weren't enrolled the year before: call the utility with proof of the application. A down payment of up to 25% of the balance may be required.

Where do I find the income limits?

At energyassistance.nj.gov for USF and LIHEAP, and on the BPU assistance programs page for the other programs. Limits depend on household size and change from year to year.

Related guides

This guide is general information, checked November 2026 against the official pages listed in Sources. It is not legal or benefits advice and doesn't tell you what you qualify for; the agency decides. MCC Solutions is not affiliated with any government agency.

If you want it in writing

Stretch the Paycheck Kit

A 30-day plan for when money runs short, call scripts for utilities and landlords, a bill-priority worksheet and an application tracker for the programs on this page.

See the kit ($9)

Also part of the Tough Times Toolkit ($29), which bundles six of the Tough Times kits.

More free money tools

When money runs short Call (908) 444-6373