The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) will hold the Mercer County Utility Assistance Day on August 14 in partnership with Mercer County and Ewing Township. The event is scheduled from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at St. Paul AME Zion Church in Ewing.
“With hot summer weather upon us, our upcoming Mercer County Utility Assistance Day in Ewing will be an excellent opportunity to connect with service providers to help you and your family secure savings through utility bill relief,” said NJBPU President Christine Guhl-Sadovy. “We are here to help and UADs are part of our ongoing commitment to connecting residents face-to-face with NJBPU staff and other partners that can help residents sign up for available cost-saving programs.”
The event aims to link residents with social services and assistance programs offered by state agencies and utility providers. Previous Utility Assistance Days have seen over 9,500 attendees across several New Jersey communities.
“Utility Assistance Day is an important opportunity to connect residents with programs that can help ease the financial burden of utility costs, especially as energy prices continue to rise,” said Senator Shirley K. Turner. “I commend the Board of Public Utilities and President Christine Guhl-Sadovy for organizing this event and bringing vital resources directly to our communities. Ensuring that families can access the support they need is essential to maintaining their well-being and preserving economic stability across New Jersey.”
Organizations participating include PSE&G, NJ Shares, Inc., NJ Clean Energy Program, Humanitaire Chretien Sans Frontiere (HCSF), Mercer County Administration, NJ Department of Human Services, and Catholic Charities Diocese of Trenton.
“We know that utility costs are a real concern for many families in Ewing Township and across New Jersey,” said Jacquelyn A. Suárez from the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. “That’s why we’re encouraging residents to explore available energy assistance programs. If you’re having trouble keeping up with your home energy bills, help is available, and applying is easier than you might think. Programs like the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program and the Universal Service Fund could offer the support you need.”
Sarah Adelman from Human Services added: “This is a wonderful opportunity for Mercer County residents to learn about the utility assistance programs available and how to apply. Many of the individuals and families that we serve at the New Jersey Department of Human Services are eligible for utility assistance but may not know it. This includes individuals and families participating in the Work First New Jersey program, the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, and older adults or people with disabilities participating in the Lifeline Utility Assistance Program,” she said.“I encourage residents concerned about higher utility bills to attend this informative event to learn what assistance may be available.”
Ewing Mayor Bert H. Steinmann stated: “Events like Utilities Assistance Day are critical in connecting residents to the help they need,” adding appreciation for bringing these services into Ewing.
Mercer County Executive Dan Benson also commented: “Many in our community have been struggling with their utility bills this Summer, and we’re grateful to BPU for organizing this opportunity for Mercer residents to receive help,” he said.“Mercer County and other service providers will also be on-hand to assist attendees with a wide range of possible needs.”
Residents interested in determining eligibility should bring income statements from within eight weeks, social security cards or residency documents for all household members, proof of address or ownership documents, as well as recent electric or heating bills.
Customers enrolling in Universal Service Fund (USF) at this event will be automatically screened for Fresh Start—a program allowing eligible customers’ overdue balances on gas or electric accounts forgiven if current monthly bills are paid on time over a period.
For those unable to attend Utility Assistance Day or seeking further information about state-supported consumer protection programs—including those overseen by NJBPU—assistance is available via phone or online channels.
The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities regulates electric, natural gas, telecommunications, water, wastewater services as well as cable television throughout New Jersey while promoting clean energy goals.The agency ensures safe and affordable services statewide, provides consumer protection initiatives,oversees regulatory compliance, supports broadband infrastructure,and maintains general oversight through its five commissioners selected by the governor.More information can be found on its official website.
