Moratorium Extended on New Jersey Utility Shutoffs

The pandemic’s financial hit has made it hard for many people to pay their utility bills. After a strong advocacy campaign by AARP New Jersey, the Garden State has extended a moratorium on utility shutoffs for nonpayment. 

Under an executive order that Gov. Phil Murphy (D) issued in March,  no household in the state will suffer the shutoff of electricity, gas or water for being in arrears through Wednesday, June 30. The moratorium also applies to internet access for households with children who have to go online for educational purposes. 

More than a half million New Jerseyans were at risk of losing utilities before the moratorium. 

AARP is also working with the state to implement new utility-bill-payment assistance programs for at-risk residents to support the state’s recovery efforts.