Resources
We are your source for assistance in Essex County and New Jersey
ONE STOP FOR LOCAL ASSISTANCE
Essex County and New Jersey have a wealth of social service assistance and resources for residents. Please keep this page bookmarked as we update information.
If you don’t see what you are looking for, please e-mail us and we will try to find the information and then add it to this page.
If you are an organization, business or agency located in New Jersey serving Essex County, please e-mail us your information so we can add you as a resource.
Empowering Communities. Changing Lives.
Benefits
- DCAid New Jersey Division of Housing and Community Resources – apply for assistance through Universal Service Fund/Home Energy Assistance Program (USFHEA), Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP), and Lead Remediation and Abatement Program (LRAP)
- New Jersey Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)Â – get help paying for child care
- New Jersey Child Support Services Application – apply for Title IV-D child support services
- New Jersey Division of Unemployment Insurance – apply for unemployment insurance
- New Jersey Division of Temporary Disability and Family Leave Insurance – find out how to get benefits when you can’t work due to a non-work-related illness or injury
- New Jersey LIHEAP/USF/Weatherization Application – New Jersey home energy programs
- NJHelps – help to see if you are eligible for food assistance (SNAP), cash assistance (WFNJ/TANF or WFNJ/GA), and health insurance (NJ FamilyCare/Medicaid).
- NJSave Division of Aging Services – a free online application that helps New Jersey residents with disabilities and low incomes save money on healthcare costs.Â
- NJ FamilyCare Application – apply for federal and state funded health insurance
- SSA BEST (Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool)Â – check your eligibility for Social Security benefits
- USA.GOV Benefit Finder Tool – find government benefits and financial help
- WIC (Supplemental Nutritional Program for Women, Infants, and Children)Â – how to apply
Energy Assistance Programs
- New Jersey Clean Energy Comfort Partners – a free program that helps income-eligible customers reduce their utility bills
- New Jersey Department of Community Affairs Universal Service Fund (USF)Â – get help with a high balance on your utility bills
- New Jersey Department of Aging Services Lifeline Utility Assistance – program for older adults and people with disabilities
- New Jersey LIHEAP/USF/Weatherization Application – New Jersey home energy programs
- New Jersey Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)Â – get help with your utility bills
- New Jersey PAGE (NJBPU)Â – get payment assistance for gas and electric utilities
- New Jersey SHARESÂ – get assistance when faced with an emergency or crisis situation
- New Jersey Winter Termination Program – the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU)’s policy by which regulated electric or gas utility companies cannot discontinue service to certain households during the period of November 15 through March 15.
Health,
Food,
& Nutrition
- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services – federal agency that provides health coverage
- Community Foodbank of New Jersey – NJ’s largest anti-hunger organization
- Get Covered New Jersey – New Jersey’s official health insurance marketplace
- HealthCare.gov – apply for health insurance coverage
- New Jersey Food Assistance Hub – find food assistance programs and locations
- New Jersey Medicare Savings Programs – programs that help people with limited income and assets pay for some (or all) of their Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) premiums, deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance.
- NJHelps – help to see if you are eligible for food assistance (SNAP), cash assistance (WFNJ/TANF or WFNJ/GA), and health insurance (NJ FamilyCare/Medicaid).
- Urban League of Essex County’s Food Pantry – you can apply if you’re a resident of the Fairmount Heights section of Newark, NJ
Housing Assistance
- New Jersey Department of Community Affairs Housing Assistance – oversees programs that prevent homelessness and help people move out of temporary shelters and into stable, permanent housing
- New Jersey Housing Resource Center – free, online searchable registry of affordable and accessible housing units
- New Jersey State Rental Assistance Program (SRAP)Â – provides housing subsidies on behalf of low-income New Jersey residents
- Urban League of Essex County’s Housing Counseling – HUD-approved program that addresses housing concerns, prepares you for homeownership, helps you avoid foreclosure, and improve your families financial stability through their Financial Opportunity Center
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Articles
What if I can’t pay my rent? Can I still get evicted? Is there any rental relief? (State of New Jersey COVID-19 Information HUB – Eviction Protection, Rental Assistance, and Legal Protections and Action)
Rent Relief Resources: A Message from FHA on Safeguarding Renters (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development – Fighting Unfair Evictions, Providing Legal Assistance, Keeping People Housed, Connecting People with Rent and Utility Relief, Providing Tools to Help Public Housing Authorities, HUD-assisted Landlords/Tenants, and People Experiencing Homelessness)
Seniors
- AARP New Jersey – educates and advocates on behalf of those 50+
- Essex County Department of Senior Citizen Services – offers programs and services for the senior community, such as transportation, caregiving, health insurance counseling, and home modifications
- National Council on Aging BenefitsCheckUp – connects millions of older adults and people with disabilities with benefits programs
- New Jersey Department of Human Services Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRCNJ)Â – source of information on long term services and supports for persons of all incomes
- SAGE Eldercare – provides a full range of eldercare services under one roof
- Urban League of Essex County’s Urban Seniors Jobs Program – finds employment for mature workers ages 55+ in Essex, Passaic, and Morris counties
Tax Assistance
Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Assistant – use this calculator to find out eligibility
Urban League of Essex County’s Financial Opportunity Center (FOC)Â – provides free tax preparation
Need help finding assistance? Want to be listed as a resource?
Contact us using the form below and we’d be happy to help!