Utility Help

Customer Assistance

If you're having trouble affording your utility bills, there are some options for help. Below is an overview of the assistance programs that are available to customers of the Borough of Madison. Residents who contact the Utility Billing Department by May 2 may be eligible for a payment plan.

American Rescue Plan (“ARP”) Utility Debt Relief program

You may potentially be eligible for relief of overdue balances through the American Rescue Plan (“ARP”) Utility Debt Relief program. The ARP Utility Debt Relief Program is offered to help households that have fallen behind on their electric utility payments. The ARP Utility Debt Relief Program is intended for households that are not currently enrolled in another energy assistance program such as LIHEAP. ARP benefits are paid directly to your utility. You can access the website to apply for assistance by visiting https://dcaid.dca.nj.gov/dcaid-services.

For instructions on how to apply, or for for assistance completing the required form, please click here.

For a list of common program questions, citizenship requirements and income information, please click here.

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP):

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps New Jersey households pay for heating costs and certain medically-necessary cooling expenses. Renters who have their heating costs included in their rent may also qualify. To print applications, review eligibility requirements, locate your county application agency, visit www.energyassistance.nj.gov or call 1-800-510-3102.

Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP)

The State Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) can help you pay arrears for your water and sewer bills. The program may also be able to help address tax liens due to water and sewer arrears. To get more information and apply, go to waterassistance.nj.gov or call NJ211. The assistance can be used, in order of priority, to:

Restore services where services have been terminated and pay reconnection fees and other charges accrued due to a disconnection;
Avoid service disruption for those residential customers who are in danger of disconnection (i.e., received shut off notices or have past due balances) and to help them afford bill payment going forward; and
Support those household customers who are current in their bills but might be in danger of falling behind in the near future.

Priority will also be given to families with elderly or disabled household members and/or with children under the age of five, no matter which category they fall into.

To be eligible for LIHWAP assistance, applicants must be water/wastewater bill holders who are responsible for paying their water and sewer bills directly to the vendors. Also, applicants’ total gross household income must be at or below 60% of the state median Income ($6,439 a month for a family of four). The LIHWAP frequently asked questions webpage has additional information about maximum income limits and other items.

Participants in the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) are automatically eligible for LIHWAP assistance as long as they are water/wastewater bill holders.

People who do not have access to computers or the internet can call 1-800-510-3102 to be directed to one of the community action agencies to assist them with starting, completing, and submitting an application online.

NJ DCA Winter Termination Program

If you are having trouble paying your residential electric, sewer, and water service bills this winter, the NJ Department of Community Affairs has a program to protect you from having these utilities turned off from November 15 through March 15. Click here for more information on the program.

Family Promise of Sussex County:

Family Promise of Sussex County can assist you in applying for aid with your utility costs. You may be eligible for assistance with electric, hear and/or water bills. Call (973) 579-1180 or visit familypromisesussex.org for help.

Family Promise of Sussex County, 19 Church Street, Newton, NJ 07860, serves Sussex, Warren, Morris and Hunterdon Counties.

NJ Lifeline Credit Program:

Lifeline provides an annual energy benefit to qualified seniors and the disabled. The benefit can help eligible homeowners and renters with electric and/or natural gas costs. You can apply for Lifeline by using the NJSave application, available at www.aging.nj.gov. For more information about Lifeline, call 1-800-792-9745, or https://www.state.nj.us/humanservices/doas/home/lifelinedetail.html
Lifeline is administered by the New Jersey Department of Human Services (DHS).

New Jersey 211:

Dial 2-1-1 any day, any time for confidential referrals to local health and human service assistance services or search NJ 2-1-1’s on-line database at: www.nj211.org.

2-1-1- is funded by the United Ways of NJ in partnership Federal Poverty Guidelines for 2021 with the State of New Jersey.

Social Services in New Jersey may be aware of additional resources and programs. For assistance, please click here for the Morris County Office of Temporary Assistance.