How to Get Help with Electricity Bills in New Jersey [Money Saving Tricks] (2023)

With cold winters and hot summers in New Jersey, keeping your electric bill current can be a challenge. It also means staying outside is not an option, especially during heating or cooling season.

Although New Jersey's average energy bill is about $102.38, below the national average, there is a discrepancy between prices in large cities and small towns. If you live in Newark or Jersey City, your bill could be as high as $233.33.

When you consider the fact that NJ has some of the highest taxes in the country, it's clear that keeping all expenses in check is no easy feat.For people who need help with their electric bills, there are several programs and other options available to stay afloat, even in the expensive state of New Jersey..

DoNotPay can help you with your NJ electric bill

If you're having trouble with your energy bills in NJ or beyond, don't hesitate to ask for help. Your first stop should be DoNotPay, a free app that helps with administrative tasks and bureaucratic issues. If you can't afford a fancy lawyer or other expensive consultant, DoNotPay is exactly the kind of assistant you've been looking for.

The app uses AI to bring help to everyone stuck in the bureaucratic maze our lives have become. Most importantly, it's free and easy to use. Here is the exercise:

1. Sign in via yourweb browser
2. Choose the Corona Relief option
3. Select electricity bills
4. Explain your problem to our robot lawyer via chat.
5. Wait for our virtual advisor to suggest the right course of action for you

DoNotPay is designed to make your life easier and take care of annoying and intricate processes that consume a lot of time and energy.. Extension letters, resignation letters and many other tasks can be done in a matter of minutes, so turn to our robot lawyer for help whenever you face a challenge.

Are you behind on your electric bill in NJ? Request an extension with the help of DoNotPay

The most common problem people have with their electricity bills is late payments. There are numerous reasons for this, but often the due date of the invoice and the day of payment are not in sync.Whatever the reason, if you miss the deadline, don't hesitate to request an extension..

Most NJ power companies will allow this relaxation for their customers, especially regular customers. You should take advantage of this because late fees and additional late fees are unnecessary and can add up to a significant amount if you are frequently late.

DoNotPay can create and send the extension letter for you; all you have to do is provide the necessary details. Our suggestion is that you try to request a permanent change in the due date if it does not coincide with your payment day. It will help you manage your family budget effectively.

DoNotPay can help you get rid of late fees on your NJ electric bill

Late fees may not seem like a significant expense, but they can add up.If you're in a tough financial situation, every dollar counts, so getting a waiver of late fees is always a good idea.. It's a bit more complicated than extending the expiration date, but the requests are usually successful.

NJ residents who are eligible to obtain one can choose one of the following options:

• Using the services of a lawyer or other adviser to obtain a waiver
• Do it in person by making an appointment with your NJ power company representative.
• Send a letter of resignation by email

Sending a resignation letter via email is the easiest and least time consuming solution. The problem is that many consumers don't know how to do it or just don't have the time to do research.DoNotPay can offer you a helping hand and write a professional resignation letter for you.. We just need you to provide the details and we take care of the rest.

Learn how to read your electric bill in NJ

The first thing you should do is learn to read your electricity bill. This is easier said than done because the language and terms used by providers are complicated. Another problem is that each provider has different terminology.

What is certain is that about half of the amount is actual energy usage, while the rest of the amount is various surcharges.. Once you master the art of reading your electricity bill, you will realize that, whatever your operator, you are financing:

• Low-income clients who participate in one of their provider's supported care programs
• Costs of taking plants out of service
• Infrastructure improvements and repairs

While you might have thought that the energy companies themselves cover these expenses, the truth is that consumers carry the heavy burden on their shoulders. All of the major players in the NJ energy scene charge their customers what is listed above.

The New Jersey Board of Public Utilitieshe approved the surcharges, so there is no way to successfully dispute them. There are several initiatives, such asAARP New Jersey, who advocate a more transparent process for the approval of surcharges. Although some of the projects they finance are important, the amounts collected should be the subject of public debate.

Check your NJ electric bill for errors

Checking your bill for errors is a must because it's not uncommon for power companies to make mistakes when generating your bill.. If you receive a bill that is significantly higher than usual, please check the following:

1. Your personal information
2. Account number
3. duplicate elements

It would be great if you could compare the energy usage on your bill to the energy usage on your meter as well. If you notice anything unusual, you should contact your electricity provider's customer service and ask for an explanation.

Negotiate New Jersey Electric Bill

New Jerseyenergy deregulation lawAllows you to change your electricity provider. This is great news because it means you are ready to trade your account.If you realize that the monthly amount is too high for your budget, invite your provider to the negotiating table and try to lower your bill.

You should keep in mind that this is not an easy undertaking, so you should do some research and prepare yourself. Make sure:

• Research competitors and understand their service plans and pricing
• Formulate your demands based on the investigation and the level of service you need
• You are prepared to change providers if you are not satisfied with the result.

researching the competition

See the list of authorized third-party providershereand see which ones are available in your area.Talk to all of them and get a quote, but be sure to explain what your needs are to get a suitable offer..

Compare prices and plan with what you already have to know if you are paying more. This information will allow you to understand what you can expect from your electricity business and whether there is room for improvement.

Formulating your demands

Knowing what you want is critical to successfully negotiating your current electricity plan.Make sure you don't waste time talking to company representatives who don't have the authority to offer you a better deal..

Be firm but courteous and explain what you expect from the provider. Tell him that you already have another offer and that you won't hesitate to accept it, but don't make unrealistic demands.

vendor exchange

If negotiations fail and the provider is not willing to make exceptions, you should switch to another company.You can get a good deal as a new customer, so it can be a welcome relaxation in your annual household budget, even if it's just the first year..

There are three types of offers you can expect when it comes to paying:

1. He did—You pay a fixed amount for the entire contract term, regardless of energy market fluctuations
2. Variable—The bill will follow changes in wholesale electricity prices
3. Hybrid—This is a combination of the above two and usually means you get a flat rate for the initial term and switch to flexible pricing for the remainder of the contract term

What happens if you don't pay your electric bill in New Jersey

Not paying your electricity bill can have dire circumstances as your provider may shut down your service. This is an inconvenient position that needs to be resolved as soon as possible, especially since all electricity providers charge high reconnection fees.

The good news is that your provider probably won't sell your debt to the collection agency (which is a whole new nightmare) because they know that no one can be without power for long.

If you realize that you are not going to be able to make the payments, or if you are facing a stoppage, it is essential that you contact your provider and we try to find a suitable solution together.. The power companies are willing to work with you and help you through the crisis. The things you can expect to get are:

• A payment plan that would split your debt into affordable monthly installments
• A discount if your bill is exceptionally high in a specific month or period
• Instructions on how to use your energy efficiently and additional saving tips

You should never avoid contacting your electricity provider because it is your most trusted partner in getting through financial crisis.They won't add high interest to your account or resort to extreme measures, as long as you stick to the payment plan or notify them early about any mishaps..

Should You Get a Loan to Pay Your New Jersey Electric Bill?

Getting a personal loan from a bank or other lender may seem like an easy way to cover your utility bill, but it's not a recommended solution. You'll likely get the funds right away and get out of debt, but this often leaves people even deeper in debt.

The high interest rates that apply to personal loans make you pay much more than you should for electricity. It is wiser to stay with your electric company, as they are more flexible than creditors in terms of debt rescheduling.

Pay the electricity bill with a credit card

This can be a solution, but only if you are disciplined and get a 0% rate credit card during the introductory period.. It would allow you to pay the electricity bill immediately and benefit from zero fees during the first 18 months of repayment of the credit card.

Things can quickly get worse if you can't pay off your card debt during the grace period. Interest rates increase and are sometimes applied to the initial amount available and not just the remaining balance.

Financial assistance programs to help pay your electric bill in New Jersey

If things get tough, consider enrolling in one of the financial assistance programs that help NJ residents manage their utility bills.. Since you funded these programs through your utility bill, it's only fair to get some of them back if you're currently struggling.

You'll need to meet the strict requirements that most programs place on applicants, but it's worth a try if the situation is dire. Consider the following options if you are falling behind on your electric bill:

1. Low Income Residential Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
2. Universal Service Fund (USF)
3. NJ SHARES

Low Income Residential Energy Assistance Program

LIHEAPis federally funded assistance for families or individuals who are struggling to pay their heating or cooling bills. It is important to note that cooling assistance is only provided to individuals who have a medical condition that requires it.

To qualify for LIHEAP, your household income must not exceed 200% offederal poverty level. LIHEAP funds can be added to your account, written as a one-way check, or sent directly to the provider.

Local application agencies are responsible for managing applications, which must be submitted between October 1 and July 31. You should check the requirements with yourLocal New Jersey Agency. There is a maximum gross household income that you must not exceed to be eligible, and you can check it for tax year 2020 in the table below.

Universal Service Fund

When you apply for LIHEAP in New Jersey, you immediately apply toUSFalso. This program is administered and financed through theSocial Benefits Box, although it was created byNew Jersey Board of Public Utilities.

Your household income must be below 175% of the federal poverty level to qualify for USF.Your annual electricity bill should be 3% of your annual income, and if you use electricity for heating, it should be 6%.. USF assistance payments are directed to providers on a monthly basis. The beneficiaries do not manage the money. Only seven NJ energy companies participate in the program, so you can apply if you have a contract with:

1. Elizabethtown Gas Company
2. Electricity and gas utility company(PSE&G)
3. Central Jersey Power and Light
4. New Jersey Natural Gas Company
5. South Jersey Gas Company
6. Rockland Electric Company
7. Atlantic City Power Company

Similar to LIHEAP, the USF program is not available if you exceed the required maximum gross household income. Check the chart below to see if you qualify.

New Jersey Stocks

New Jersey Stocksrefers to New Jersey Statewide Heating Assistance and Reference Energy Service. It is a non-profit organization that has developed an assistance program for people who do not qualify for state and federal grants.

You must use electricity for heating to apply for NJ shares and you can receive $700 on your electric heating bill. Resources are awarded based on resource availability. Candidates must meet the following requirements:

• Be residents of the state of New Jersey
• Have income above 200% but below 400% of the federal poverty level
• Being behind on your energy bill due to a proven financial crisis (job loss, medical emergency, disability)
• Provide proof of good faith payment of $100 within 90 days of ordering NJ shares

What else can DoNotPay do to help?

Electricity bills aren't the only thing DoNotPay can help you with. We are determined to make your journey through the maze of bureaucracy stress-free, soAnytime you're faced with an annoying administrative task, an unfair fine, or unresponsive customer service, contact us for help.. Our robot lawyer is ready to:

• Make a DMV appointment faster
• Fight your speeding tickets
• come from robocallos
• Help you sue people and businesses in small claims court
• Bypass the phone queue when trying to contact customer service representatives
• Dispute your parking tickets
• Help with other accounts
• Create virtual credit cards to avoid fees after free trial
• Get compensation for delayed and canceled flights
• Cancel any subscription or membership service
• Dispute your traffic tickets