**By: Katie Briante, Metro Media Associates of NJ**
In early March, just as the pandemic was starting to kick into gear in New Jersey, the state utility companies announced that they would not shut down service to customers due to non-payment.
Governor Phil Murphy then announced in late August that the utility companies had agreed to extend that moratorium preventing utility shut-offs until October 15.
That extension runs out in two days and with no current plans of extending the moratorium or replacing it, customers who are still financially impacted by COVID-19 are concerned about losing their service come Thursday.
Although there is no word from the state or utility companies on the moratorium, there are options for customers who are behind on payments and may have been receiving outstanding balance or shut-off notices.
The state has said that utility companies are offering a "flexible and extended [**Deferred Payment Agreement**](https://casetext.com/regulation/new-jersey-administrative-code/title-14-public-utilities/chapter-3-all-utilities/subchapter-7-bills-and-payments-for-service/section-143-77-deferred-payment-agreements) of at least 12 months and up to 24 months" to give customers that opportunity to begin slowly repaying an outstanding balance.
If customers receive shut-off notices from their utility company they should contact the company and see if they qualify for the Deferred Payment Agreement.
Additionally, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities offers a number of [**Utility Assistance Programs**](https://www.nj.gov/bpu/assistance/programs/) that may help prevent utility shutdowns for customers.
- [PAGE Program](https://njpoweron.org/page/)
The Payment Assistance for Gas and Electric Program is specifically for providing help to low-income families for paying their natural gas and unity bills. You can [**view the requirements**](https://njpoweron.org/page/page-requirements/) and [**apply for the program**](https://njpoweron.org/page/page-application/) all right on their website
- [Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)](https://www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/dhcr/offices/hea.html)
LIHEAP is a program designed to assist low-income residents in paying their heating and cooling bills and can even help set up emergency heating and fuel services. Find out if you're eligible [**here**](https://www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/dhcr/offices/docs/usfhea_fact_sheet.pdf) and find the application [**here**](https://www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/dhcr/forms/docs/heaappl.pdf).
- [Universal Service Fund](https://www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/dhcr/offices/usf.html)
The Universal Service Fund is another program run through the state to assist low-income households with their energy bills. [**Requirement and applications**](https://www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/dhcr/offices/usf.html) can also be found online
- [NJ SHARES](https://njsharesgreen.org/)
NJ SHARES is a non-profit organization that provides assistance with energy, telephone, internet and water bills to income-eligible New Jersey residents. For more information on their various programs and how to access them, visit their [**website**](https://njsharesgreen.org/programs/).
For a list of all of the programs that residents can take advantage of please visit the [**New Jersey Board of Public Utilities website**](https://www.nj.gov/bpu/assistance/programs/).