New Jersey has activated its Winter Termination Program, ensuring that eligible households—including those facing delayed SNAP benefits after the recent federal shutdown—will not have their utilities shut off through March, state officials announced Monday.
State officials added Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients to the list of those who are now eligible for the Winter Termination Program and can self-certify their eligibility when contacting their utility provider.
The program protects households that cannot pay their utility bills during the coldest months, ensuring they keep essential services like heat, power, and water.
Programs that qualify for the Winter Termination Program:
Federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)
Federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled (PAAD)
General Assistance (GA)
Universal Service Fund (USF)
Lifeline Credit Program (Lifeline)
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
State officials said the extension of the Winter Termination Program ensures that SNAP recipients affected by delayed benefit payments during the recent federal shutdown can avoid utility shutoffs.
“New Jersey’s Winter Termination Program stands as a model among state utility protection initiatives,” NJBPU President Christine Guhl-Sadovy.
“While each state tailors its program to local conditions and needs, we all share the same fundamental goal: ensuring that no family loses access to heat, power, or water during the winter months,” she added. “New Jersey’s comprehensive approach – covering electric, gas, water, and sewer services – represents one of the most expansive protections in the nation.”
Eligible electric customers can self-certify through an online form for residential electric, sewer and water service assistance.
The program runs from Nov. 15 until March 15.
Last winter, about 283,738 New Jersey electric customers were protected from having their power shut off, NJBPU said.
How N.J. is protecting its most vulnerable residents from freezing this winter
