(TRENTON) – On Wednesday, the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (NJDCA) announced their launch of the application period for the “Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program.”
The goal of the new program is to assist residents who have been unable to pay certain water and wastewater bills and help them to reduce any debt incurred. Some of the services the program will assist includes: restoring services that have been terminated, avoiding service disruption for those who are in danger of getting their services shut off, and supporting households who may be falling behind on payments.
To be eligible, applicants’ total gross household income must be at or below 60% of the state median income, which is $6,439 a month for a family of four. For those interested in applying, please visit: njdca-housing or call 1-800-510-3102.
Assembly Democrats Anthony Verrelli (D-Hunterdon, Mercer), Angela V. McKnight (D-Hudson), and Benjie Wimberly (D-Bergen, Passaic) are sponsors of a measure (A-688) that would establish the “Household Water Assistance Program” which would similarly reduce the cost of water services, prevent disconnection of water services, and restore water services for households who are eligible.
Upon the announcement, Assembly members Verrelli, McKnight, and Wimberly issued the following joint statement:
“Many households are still recovering from the pandemic and many have fallen behind on some water service payments. Every family in New Jersey deserves to have access to safe, clean water in their home without the worry of it shutting off. This program is an exceptional way for the State to provide eligible families with the assistance necessary to maintain and reclaim essential water services while residents catch up on payments.”