TWW Helping Customers Facing Financial Hardship!
Trenton Water Works Participates in SHARES Program to Help Customers Facing Financial Hardship
TRENTON, N.J. — By Michael Walker
Trenton Water Works (TWW) announced that it is participating in the NJ SHARES Municipal Customer Assistance Program to help eligible customers experiencing temporary financial hardship pay their water bills.
SHARES is a statewide nonprofit organization that provides assistance and referrals to individuals and families facing financial hardship. Serving as a critical safety net, the organization helps households experiencing unexpected emergencies or crises that make it difficult to pay for essential services, including water, natural gas, electricity, communications, and housing-related expenses. Through the NJ SHARES Municipal Customer Assistance Program, eligible Trenton Water Works customers may receive financial assistance with their water bills, helping to prevent service interruptions while promoting long-term household financial stability.
Customers who are struggling to pay their water bills are encouraged to contact TWW Customer Care at 1-866-TWW-BLUE to learn about charitable organizations in Mercer County that may have funding available to provide payment assistance, including SHARES, deferred payment agreements, and other resources based on their individual circumstances.
“Access to safe, reliable drinking water is essential to every household,” said Mayor W. Reed Gusciora. “By participating in the SHARES program, Trenton Water Works is providing another important resource for families experiencing temporary financial hardship while continuing our commitment to serving customers with compassion, fairness, and respect.”
Participation in SHARES is part of the water utility’s broader effort to strengthen customer service and expand assistance programs while maintaining the financial stability necessary to operate and improve the TWW system serving Trenton, Ewing Township, Hamilton Township, Lawrence Township, and Hopewell Township, as it advances a comprehensive
$763 million Capital Improvement Plan.
Trenton Water Works encourages customers who have fallen behind on their water bills not to wait until their service is at risk of disconnection before seeking assistance. Customer Care representatives are available to discuss payment options and connect eligible customers with financial assistance programs that may help them bring their accounts current and avoid service interruptions.
“Helping customers navigate financial challenges is an important part of providing excellent public service,” said Sean Semple, Director of the city’s Department of Water and Sewer, which operates Trenton Water Works. “Our participation in the SHARES program gives eligible customers another valuable resource to help them remain current on their accounts while ensuring the water utility continues providing safe, reliable drinking water to the communities we serve.”
Customer Care representatives are available by telephone Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at 1-866-TWW-BLUE. Customers may also visit TWW’s administrative office, which recently expanded its walk-in business hours, at 333 Cortland Street (off Mulberry Street) in Trenton on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
“Helping customers access financial assistance is an important part of our commitment to customer service,” said Michael Walker, Chief of Communications and Public Outreach for Trenton Water Works. “During the federally funded Low Income Household Water Assistance Program, or LIHWAP, Trenton Water Works worked closely with eligible customers to secure assistance that helped thousands of households pay overdue water bills. Although LIHWAP has ended, we remain committed to connecting customers with available resources such as New Jersey SHARES and encouraging anyone experiencing financial hardship to seek assistance before their account becomes seriously delinquent.”
“Through our expanded partnership with Trenton Water Works, NJ SHARES is proud to bring the Municipal Customer Assistance Program (MCAP) directly to customers who need it most, helping ensure that temporary financial hardship never becomes a barrier to maintaining essential water service,” said Cheryl B. Stowell, Chief Executive Officer of NJ SHARES. “MCAP provides financial assistance grants to income-qualified households experiencing a temporary financial crisis. We look forward to working alongside Trenton Water Works to offer hope, deliver help, and connect eligible customers with the assistance they need during difficult times.”
To learn more about NJ SHARES or to apply for assistance online, visit sharesnation.org or call 1-866-657-4273.
