This week, the NJ Department of Community Affairs mailed out letters to households with overdue electric and natural gas bills to notify them that they may be eligible for assistance. If you received a letter, be sure to open it so that you can apply for credits on your utility accounts.
For other households who are in need of utility assistance, you may be eligible for assistance from the Low Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) or New Jersey Universal Service Fund (USF) programs. You can visit the DCAid Service Portal to find out which programs you may be eligible for and then apply.
Everyone 12 or older can receive the COVID-19 vaccine for free. COVID-19 vaccines are safe and highly effective at preventing you from getting sick.
Testing is available to everyone in New Jersey. It is quick and easy. You don’t need insurance and free testing is available.
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NJ COVID-19 Updates and More
Do you have questions about when and where you can receive the COVID-19 vaccine, mask requirements, or how to get a COVID-19 test? The State of New Jersey offers up-to-date information, resources, and guidance at our COVID-19 Information Hub.
New Jersey’s Eviction Prevention Program will pay up to two years of rent arrears and future rent, as well as utility assistance, for low-, moderate-, and middle-income households that have experienced an economic impact due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Eviction Prevention Program uses the same application process as the COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program, which began in March 2021 and is still accepting applications. Landlords may apply for assistance on behalf of a tenant. Visit https://njdca.onlinepha.com/ to get started.
In addition to the COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program and Eviction Prevention Program, the State introduced critical eviction protections for renter households that have experienced economic hardships during the pandemic. To find out more about current eviction protections available and how to self-certify for these protections, visit https://covid19.nj.gov/renter.
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We’ve all endured a lot since the start of this pandemic. During Suicide Prevention Month, remember: you are not alone.
The NJ MentalHealthCares Help Line offers counseling, emotional support, information, and assistance in helping to get behavioral health services needed by you or a loved one. Call 866-202-HELP (4357) or text “NJHOPE” to 51684.
Those who may be having suicidal thoughts can call the NJ Hopeline at 1-855-654-6735.
A free emotional support video helpline has been created to help deaf and hard of hearing New Jerseyans feeling the strain from the public health crisis. The helpline can be reached at 973-870-0677.
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Social Services for the Homeless (SSH)
The Social Service for the Homeless (SSH) program assists families and individuals who are experiencing homelessness or are at imminent risk of becoming homeless, but are not eligible for welfare (usually because their income is too high) and so are not eligible for Emergency Assistance.
The program provides emergency food, emergency shelter and payment of security or utility deposits as well as back rent, mortgage and utilities costs. These services, which are available on a 24-hour emergency basis, also include referral services and limited case management.
New Jersey residents experiencing homelessness can now call 2-1-1 for help.
2-1-1 community resource specialists are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and can help clients who speak many different languages. Information provided will be kept confidential, except for information that needs to be shared with providers involved in providing shelter or shelter-related services.
