NJHelps (www.njhelps.org) is a free service offered by the New Jersey Department of Human Services,Division of Welfare Services and is an easy way for you to prescreen for several welfare programs that are available to help you and your family.

The Division provides information and referral, advocacy and crisis intervention services to residents based on financial eligibility and the availability of funding

The Division is dedicated to serving people with disabilities. We encourage people to request reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). ADA complaints may be filed with Barbara Metzger, the Disability Services Planner, at 908-788-1361.

PROGRAMS AND SERVICES 

AIDS Waiver (ACCAP) – Home and community based services for individuals with AIDS or AIDS Related complex (ARC).

Boarding Home/Rooming House Services – The Division investigates complaints of abuse, neglect and exploitation of residents of boarding homes, residential health care facilities, rooming houses and unlicensed facilities as well as providing outreach services to these residents.

Child Support and Paternity – The Division is responsible for locating absent parents, establishing paternity and/or securing child support for TANF/WFNJ recipients and non-TANF applicants for child support services.

Dr. Orlie Pell Fund, Inc. – The Division administers a safety net fund for those individuals in need of food, clothing, utilities, prescription drugs, etc., who are ineligible for other categorical assistance programs and services.

Affordable HealthCare Act & NJ FamilyCare Program – Provides free or low-cost health insurance to low-income working families and their children who cannot afford to privately pay the cost of health insurance. www.njfamilycare.org

• The NJ Department of Human Services (DHS) has launched an NJ FamilyCare advertising campaign to inform families to enroll eligible children in our comprehensive Children’s Health Insurance Program.

Food Stamp Program – Federally funded USDA program which provides benefits to income eligible households in order to increase their food purchasing power and improve the nutritional adequacy of their diets.

Food Stamp households that incur heating expenses can apply for heating and cooling assistance through the Home Energy Assistance program.

Food Stamp Employment Training Program (FSETP) Can provide $6/day travel reimbursement for individuals who use their own vehicles, or LINK transportation assistance can be provided in order to search for employment

General Assistance Program (GA) – The Division provides General Assistance Program benefits to individuals 18 and over without dependent children who can qualify for cash benefits, medical coverage, transportation and possible housing to residents of all County municipalities, with the exception of  Lambertville, and East Amwell Township.

Homeless/Emergency Programs – The Division provides shelter and shelter related services to clients eligible for TANF/GA and SSI Emergency Assistance.  The SSH State program and the Emergency Food & Shelter Program (EFSP) provides funding for clients who are ineligible for services under Emergency Assistance.

Medicaid Programs – Medicaid coverage is provided to eligible individuals/couples in the following categories:

• Aged, blind and disabled individuals residing in the community, boarding homes or nursing homes
• Medicaid Only
• Pregnant women
• Parents with children
• Children under the age of twenty-one (21)
• Medical Emergency Program for Undocumented Residents
• NJ Workability Program
• Breast and Cervical Cancer Program
• Community Resources for People with Disabilities (CRPD)

 

Global Options Waiver Program (GO) - 
Medicaid services are provided to eligible clients to remain in the community or return to the community, rather than be cared for in a nursing home or hospital setting.

Medically Needy Program – This program provides specific medical benefits to pregnant women, needy children, the aged, blind and disabled whose income and assets are too high to qualify them for the Medicaid Only Program.

Senior Citizen Emergency Program – The Division receives funding from the Hunterdon County Division of Senior Services to assist seniors with emergencies related to housing, medical care and transportation.

Temporary Emergency Medication Program (TEMP)– County funded program to provide temporary emergency medications for qualified individuals.

Work First NJ/Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (WFNJ/TANF) –
WFNJ/TANF temporary financial assistance is provided on a temporary basis to parent(s) with eligible child(ren) while the individual(s) seek economic self-sufficiency.

TANF is limited to a lifetime maximum of 60 cumulative months.  To assist families with the transition to employment, the following supportive services are available:

• Child Care Services
• 24 month Medicaid Extension
• Payment of Certain Work Expenses
• Supplemental Work Support Program
• Transportation Assistance
• Career Advancement Voucher Program
• Federal/State Earned Income Tax Credits
• Child Support Services
• Early Employment Initiative (EEI)
• Paycheck Plus
• TANF Initiative For Parents (TIP)

SSH TANF– SSH TANF provides temporary financial assistance provided to families with at least one dependent child to prevent homelessness when other funding is not applicable.

SHRAP (SANDY Homeowner/Renter Assistance Program) - SHRAP State funds can be used to assist individuals and families who are experiencing a housing crisis as a result of Superstorm Sandy with 1) maintaining temporary housing while their primary residence is repaired/rebuilt; 2) maintaining a primary residence for the household to return to when repair/reconstruction is completed; 3) maintaining housing after a reduction in income; and 4) ensuring that affected households have items deemed essential for health and safety upon return to a primary residence

Programs that you may qualify to receive assistance from:

• Earned Income Tax Credit
• Food Stamps
• Medicaid (Health Insurance)
• NJ FamilyCare (Health Insurance)
• Low Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP)
• Work First New Jersey (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and General Assistance)
• New Jersey Cares for Kids (Child Care Assistance)
• Kinship Cares Program

Age Groups	Children Adolescents Adults Seniors
Community Services	Basic Needs / Assistance Accepts Donations of Goods Clothing / Supplies / Furniture Disaster Emergency Shelter / Housing / Warming Center Financial Assistance / Referrals Food Pantry / Soup Kitchen Housing / Shelter Supportive Housing Transportation Employment / Training Job Search Family & Support Services Child Care / After School Family Support
Health Services	Medical Medical / Health Needs
Language Spoken	Spanish
Areas Served	Hunterdon County

Last Updated: 07/14/16