In recognition of Utility Assistance Week this week, New Jersey American Water is amplifying communication efforts surrounding several assistance and deferred payment programs available to qualifying customers across the state.
Utility Assistance Week is a statewide initiative launched in 2021 by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities and Department of Community Affairs to support customers who are newly eligible for financial assistance or struggling to pay their bills.
“We know that our customers expect water to be there every time they need it, and they shouldn’t worry about not being able to pay their bills if they’re struggling,” Mark McDonough, president of New Jersey American Water, said. “We’re committed to supporting our customers in any way we can — including offering the necessary tools and assistance during a period of financial hardship or instability.”
New Jersey American Water’s assistance programs have helped thousands of qualifying customers save on their water and wastewater bills and efforts to promote such programs during Utility Assistance Week ensure customers receive the support they need. Over the last two years, New Jersey American Water has provided more than $210,000 in water and wastewater assistance.
Available customer assistance programs include:
- Help to Others (H2O) Program, assisting qualifying low-income customers through a service charge discount or grant of up to $500 to help pay bills.
- Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP), a federally funded program providing emergency assistance on overdue water and wastewater bills while funds last.
- Payment arrangements & installment plans, providing options for predictable monthly payments through New Jersey American Water’s customer service center.
- New Jersey 2-1-1, providing live assistance on a range of energy and heating bill assistance programs and government programs.
New Jersey American Water promotes customer assistance programs throughout the year, but also recently launched an even more robust customer education campaign to reach residents seeking ways to save on their water and wastewater bills. The newly launched social media and search ads are designed to amplify program information throughout the next several months.
For more information regarding assistance programs, including eligibility guidelines, click here.
