South Jersey Gas has reported an increase in late payments, up over 15% since the beginning of the year. Similarly PSEG has seen a roughly 8% increase in bills which are past due by at least two months. The utility companies, as a result, are offering budget billing, which allows households to spread out their monthly payments evenly across 12 months. Additionally, many families are turning to LIHEAP grants to help meet the burden of increased heating costs this winter and charitable assistance programs such as NJ Shares. Although the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs increased availability of winter heating grants, many families are facing losses of income as unemployment rises, which requires public assistance to be more flexible to keep households warm this winter.
