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Programs can help alleviate growing balances for customers having financial difficulty

Residential and business customers of Jersey Central Power and Light (JCP&L), a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), who are having difficulty making ends meet are encouraged to contact their utility now to enroll in payment plans or to receive referrals for bill assistance programs.

While shut-offs for nonpayment are temporarily suspended due to the pandemic, establishing an affordable payment arrangement or obtaining assistance can help keep balances manageable during this difficult time.

“We understand many customers are in a difficult financial situation because of the pandemic,” said James V. Fakult, president of JCP&L. “Customers who have lost income during this crisis may be eligible for assistance that was unavailable to them before.”

JCP&L customer service representatives are available at 800-662-3115 to assist residential customers with manageable payment arrangements and can provide customers with information on needs-based assistance programs. These programs may include forgiveness of all or part of a customer’s overdue balance, helping them to avoid a large bill that would otherwise be due when the temporary suspension on shutoffs ends. Customers of JCP&L may be eligible for one or more of the following programs:

• Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP/HEAP): The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) can protect customers from shut off for non-payment or help with heating bills. LIHEAP grant applications will only be accepted through June 30, 2021, when the blanket moratorium on utility shut off ends. Apply today by calling the LIHEAP hotline at 800-510-3102 or visit the the DCAid screening tool to see if you meet the income limits for LIHEAP.

• Universal Service Fund Programs (USF): USF helps make energy bills more affordable by offering eligible customers a monthly bill credit. This credit is based on household income and energy burden. USF may also offer utility account debt forgiveness for first-time applicants. USF is a statewide program administered by the New Jersey Department of Human Services. To apply call 2-1-1 or visit the DCAid screening tool.

• Lifeline: Lifeline provides funding for utility bills (electric and natural gas) for qualifying disabled persons and senior citizens. Applications must be made annually to receive the benefit. The Lifeline benefit applies only to the customer’s primary residence and must be in the customer’s or the customer’s spouse’s name. To apply call 800-792-9745 or visit the Lifeline website.

• Payment Assistance for Gas & Electric (PAGE): PAGE helps low- to moderate-income customers in New Jersey who are struggling to pay their electric and natural gas bills. The NJ PAGE program provides grants to those over the income limits for LIHEAP as well as those who already applied for LIHEAP but require additional assistance. To apply call 732-982-8710 or visit the NJPowerOn website.

• Comfort Partners Programs: The Comfort Partners Program is a free energy savings and education program for income eligible customers. The program helps customers save energy and money by reducing their electric bills by installing energy conservation measures in the home and by educating family members on their energy and conservation choices. Participation is prioritized based on the customer’s energy webpage consumption. There are household income requirements and other program qualifications. To apply call 800-915-8309 or visit the Comfort Partners webpage.

•2-1-1 Helpline: This nationwide resource and information helpline identifies locally available programs that may assist customers with utility bills or other needs. For more information dial 2-1-1, text your ZIP code to 898211 or visit the211 website.

Additional program information is available at JCP-L.com/assistance.

It has come to our attention that telephone scammers might be posing as a JCP&L employee demanding immediate payment.

In this widespread scam, which frequently targets small businesses, a telephone caller poses as an electric utility company employee. The caller threatens to shut off the customer’s power unless an immediate payment is made.

The facts:

·        If your account is past due, you will receive a written notice of your account status, with instructions on how to avoid disconnection of service.
·        While our representative may call a customer whose bill is in arrears in order to remind them that a payment is due, the representative would explain how a payment can be made using our established payment options. They will not demand payment over the phone, in person, or at a particular physical location.
·        Our utilities do not accept prepaid debit cards or wire transfers as payment, and our representatives will not demand your bank information or credit card number over the phone.

What should you do:

·        If you receive a suspicious call, hang up immediately.
·        Be aware that scammers often use Caller ID spoofing software to misrepresent the source of a phone call, or provide you with a fake “verification” phone number. These call-back numbers may even include exact replicas of company greetings and hold messaging. If you would like to verify your account status, always call the JCP&L customer service number at 1-800 662-3115 or log in to your account on our website.
·        If a person appears at your door demanding payment, do not allow them into your home, and do not provide them any personal information.
·        If you believe you have been a victim of this scam, please contact your local police department or your state attorney general’s office, and report telephone scams to the Federal Trade Commission at www.ftc.gov.
·        If you have purchased a Green Dot card to pay your electric bill and would like to request a refund from Green Dot/MoneyPak, visitwww.moneypak.com/refundrequest.aspx.*

*FirstEnergy is not affiliated with Green Dot Corporations and is not responsible for any refunds associated with Green Dot Card purchases. Any questions regarding the MoneyPak Refund Request should be directed to Green Dot Corporations.

For additional information about scams go to https://firstenergycorp.com/help/safety/scam-info.html

Due to the pandemic, Borough Offices are closed to the public.  For your convenience, drop boxes are installed at the Municipal Offices for your use.  Payments can be delivered via regular mail or placed in the drop box by the front door of the Municipal offices.  Larger documents, such as permit applications (with payment) can be sent via regular mail or deposited in the large drop box on street level by the Employee Entrance to the building (on Mechanic Street).  All payments made through the drop boxes must in the form of a check or money order, NO CASH.  No payments will be accepted at the door.

Payments for taxes and water/sewer can also be paid by credit card on-line at www.hightstownborough.com.