TRENTON, NJ – If you are behind on your utility bills in New Jersey due to hardships caused by the pandemic and Governor Phil Murphy’s year-long business shutdown, time is running out.

While the governor’s shutoff moratorium ends on March 15th. That means utility companies can turn off your power and shut off your gas line.

Residents who are behind should immediately contact their utility providers to work out payment plans, apply for assistance programs and hash out the details before they shut off services.

The end of the moratorium also gives utility companies the green light to resume collection efforts. Several payment plan options are available and for those most hard hit by the Murphy shutdown of 2020 and 2021, financial assistance is available.


New Jersey residents and businesses currently owe over $800 million in overdue gas and electric bills.

Last year, Murphy signed executive order 246 which extended a utility shutoff period from December 31, 2021 to March 15, 2022. The governor has not indicated whether or not he will provide for another extension.

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