AC Electric Extends Halt On Late Fees Through June 1

MAYS LANDING, NJ — Atlantic City Electric will continue its customer assistance through at least June 1 because of the new coronavirus. The company also said it would reconnect customers who previously had their power terminated.

ACE put a hold on new late fees and service disconnections last month because of the coronavirus. Gas and electric companies in New Jersey also agreed to suspend shutoffs at this time. Read more: AC Electric Pauses Late Fees, Disconnections Amid Coronavirus

Residents who had their electricity cut off should contact ACE at 800-642-3780 to begin the reconnection process. Customers who may face challenges in paying their bills should contact the same number.

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“We recognize the impact of COVID-19 on our customers and communities has been significant, with many experiencing financial difficulties and uncertainty about the future,” said Dave Velazquez, Pepco president and CEO, which includes Atlantic City Electric.

The company offers payment options, like Budget Billing, which averages payments over a 12-month period to help customers manage their monthly energy bill, or flexible payment arrangements that offer individually tailored payment installment plans.

Through Atlantic City Electric's Gift of Energy program, anyone can make a payment toward a friend or family member’s energy bill. The gift will appear on a future bill as a credit to the recipient's account.

The assistance from utility comes as unemployment rises statewide and nationwide because of the pandemic. New Jersey received 716,000 unemployment claims in four weeks — almost 1 1/2 times the state total in all of 2019 — according to northjersey.com. Nationally, 5.2 million filed unemployment claims last week.

Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

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