Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L), a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp., is collaborating with the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to promote Utility Assistance Awareness Week, running from June 10-14.
Residential customers of JCP&L experiencing financial difficulties are encouraged to contact their utility to enroll in payment plans or receive referrals for bill assistance programs. Establishing an affordable payment arrangement or obtaining assistance can help keep balances manageable.
"We understand customers may be facing financial hardship due to any number of factors that can place a major strain on household budgets. Electricity is a vital service to even the most basic standards of living, and our teams are here to help our customers understand and apply for assistance programs they qualify for to relieve some of that worry," said Jim Fakult, President of JCP&L.
Programs available for eligible customers include:
- The Universal Service Fund (USF) Program: Provides monthly bill credits and potential utility debt forgiveness for income-eligible customers. For more information or to apply, call 1-866-240-1347 or visit the DCAid screening tool.
- The Low-Income Heating Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): Assists low-income customers with home heating and medically necessary cooling costs. For details or to apply, call 1-800-510-3102 or visit the DCAid screening tool.
- The Payment Assistance for Gas and Electric (PAGE) Program: Helps income-qualified households in temporary financial crises with electric and/or gas payment assistance. For more information or to apply, call 1-866-657-4273 or visit njshares.org.
- NJ SHARES: A non-profit organization offering utility bill assistance to income-eligible New Jersey households. To learn more or apply, call 1-866-657-4273 or visit njshares.org.
- Lifeline Utility Assistance: Provides a $225 annual benefit to those meeting PAAD eligibility requirements or receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI). For details or to apply, call 1-800-792-9745 or visit the Lifeline website.
Additional resources and programs can be found by dialing 211, texting your ZIP code to 898211, or visiting the 2-1-1 website.
Customers with outstanding balances who do not qualify for these programs may be eligible for installment payment plans or budget billing.
Residential customers are encouraged to visit firstenergycorp.com/billassist and use a search tool to see which assistance programs could be available based on their location, household size, and income. JCP&L offers various payment arrangements for qualifying customers. They can also call 1-800-662-3115 to speak with a member of JCP&L's Customer Care team.
JCP&L serves 1.1 million New Jersey customers across multiple counties including Burlington, Essex, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union, and Warren. Follow JCP&L on X @JCP_L on Facebook at www.facebook.com/JCPandL or online at www.jcp-l.com.
FirstEnergy emphasizes integrity, safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its electric distribution companies form one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems serving customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and New York. Follow FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com and on X @FirstEnergyCorp.
News Media Contact: Chris Hoenig at (609) 350-85099; Investor Relations Contact: Gina Caskey at (330) 607-0157.