Public Service Electric & Gas Co. (PSE&G) is expanding its claims policy because of the COVID-19 pandemic so that customers whose electrical service was interrupted by tropical storm Isaias for at least 72 hours can be reimbursed for spoiled food and medication. The tropical storm knocked out power for more than 575,000 customers in New Jersey, making it the fifth-most destructive storm in the company's 100-plus year history.
"We recognize that losing power in August, together with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, was a hardship for many of our customers," said Dave Daly, PSE&G president. "Given the unique combination of circumstances, we believe the right thing to do is to expand our claims process to ease the burden on the customers most impacted by tropical storm Isaias."
The PSE&G will reimburse residential customers up to US$250 and commercial customers up to US$5000 for food spoilage if their service was interrupted for 72 hours or longer between Aug. 4 and Aug. 12, 2020, because of tropical storm Isaias.
For residential customers, food spoilage claims of US$150 or less must include an itemized list. Food spoilage claims over US$150 must include an itemized list and proof of loss (for example, cash register tapes, store or credit card receipts, canceled checks, or photographs of spoiled items).
Separately, customers will be reimbursed for losses, up to a maximum of US$300, for prescription medications that were spoiled because of lack of refrigeration. Customers must provide an itemized list of the medications and proof of loss (for example, pharmacy prescription label or pharmacy receipt identifying the medicine).
Commercial customers applying for reimbursement must supply an itemized list of spoiled food and proof of loss (invoices, inventory lists, bank statements).
Customers can apply for reimbursement at pseg.com/claims. Reimbursement claims cannot be processed over the phone.
Customers will have until Sept. 16, 2020, to file claims. Reimbursement is expected to take up to 60 business days from when a proper claim form is completed and submitted to the PSE&G.
