On Friday, June 27, 2025, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) will host the Bergen County Utility Assistance Day (UAD), in partnership with the Borough of Cliffside Park and Bergen County. The event will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Cliffside Park Head Start, located at 263 Lafayette Avenue, Cliffside Park.
UADs have proven to be highly effective in helping connect residents with social services and assistance programs offered by state and utility providers. The Bergen County UAD in Cliffside Park is the latest in a series of successful UADs, where approximately 9,300 residents have cumulatively attended, including recent events in Linden, Burlington City, Phillipsburg and Bridgeton.
“We encourage anyone who might need help with their utility bills to come out to Cliffside Park Head Start on June 27 to discover the full range of assistance available to them,” said NJBPU President Christine Guhl-Sadovy. “Our state and local partners will be on hand to speak with attendees directly and connect residents with cost-saving programs. With hot summer weather upon us, it’s a great opportunity to connect with multiple groups for relief.”
Participating organizations include the Greater Bergen Community Action, Catholic Charities, Light Up Your World, the New Jersey Department of Human Services, NJ Shares and PSE&G.
“Too many families face the impossible choice between paying a utility bill and meeting other essential needs,” said Assemblyman Clinton Calabrese. “As we continue our legislative efforts to make energy more affordable, it’s important for residents to know that help is currently available. Utility Assistance Day connects residents directly with programs that offer relief and support. I encourage everyone to join us on June 27, where you can get your questions answered and learn more about the resources available.”
“Utility costs are front and center in the minds of many New Jerseyans, which is why we want to get the word out about how easy it is to apply for help,” said New Jersey Department of Community Affairs Commissioner Jacquelyn A. Suárez. “We urge people who are struggling to pay their home energy bills to apply for assistance. You may qualify to receive help through programs like the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program and the Universal Service Fund.”
“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,” said Human Services Commissioner Sarah Adelman. “I encourage residents concerned about higher utility bills to attend this informative event to learn what assistance may be available.”
To determine eligibility for utility assistance on-site, residents attending the Bergen County UAD in Cliffside Park should bring the following:
- One month of income statements from within the past eight weeks (or a zero-income statement) for all adult household members
- Copies of social security cards or residency status for all household members
- Proof of address (i.e., copy of rental lease or housing authority letter). (If you are a homeowner, please bring your tax bill, mortgage statement or deed.)
- All pages of electric, natural gas and/or heating bills
Additionally, customers owing utility payments who enroll in the Universal Service Fund (USF) program will be automatically screened for the Fresh Start program. Fresh Start provides eligible USF customers an opportunity to have their overdue gas and electric balances forgiven by paying only their current monthly bills on time and in full. Fresh Start is available to customers once every five years. To self-screen for USF eligibility or apply online, please visit https://dcaid.dca.nj.gov/en-US/ or call 211 for more information.
If you are unable to attend, please call 211 to learn more about N.J.’s utility assistance programs. Those with complaints or concerns regarding their utility company are encouraged to call the NJBPU at 800-624-0241 or visit online here.
