Governor Murphy Signs Executive Order Extending Utility Shutoff Moratorium Through March 15, 2021

Governor Phil Murphy today signed Executive Order No. 190, extending a moratorium preventing New Jersey residents from having their utilities disconnected through at least March 15, 2021. The moratorium applies to all residential gas, electric and water utilities, both public and private. Further, the utilities will not be charging late fees nor fees to reconnect services that have been disconnected. The Order also requires that all residential services that were disconnected after social distancing measures went into effect on March 16 be reconnected. The Governor and legislative leadership further announced that $15 million from the Coronavirus Relief Fund will be allocated to assisting low income households in paying off utility arrearages.

In addition to extending the Internet disconnection moratorium to November 15, cable and telecommunications providers are prohibited from disconnecting Internet service in households that have one or more school-age children that may be using such service for educational purposes. Also, if a household experiences a change of circumstances where school age children will be using their home Internet service for school, the cable and telecommunications company will be required to reconnect that Internet service.

After November 15, cable and telecommunications providers are required to enroll customers with an already existing account in an interest free payment plan of at least 12 equal monthly installments, including the balance already due, prior to disconnecting the customer’s service.

Although the moratorium is being extended, utility customers are still encouraged to set up payment plans with their utilities so they can begin paying their bills, if they are able, over a period of time. Utility customers are also urged to apply for the assistance programs that are available at both the Board of Public Utilities and the Department of Community Affairs, and from their utilities.  

Additionally, the Governor partnered with legislative leadership to set aside $15 million from the Coronavirus Relief Fund so that the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) can reduce utility arrearages. DCA will use a portion of the funds to address arrearages among low income households who are current Universal Service Fund (USF) participants. USF serves low-income families (Income below 185% of the Federal Poverty Level) who need assistance with electric and natural gas bills.

For a copy of Executive Order No. 190, please click here.