Parent Support

Don't Get Shut Off! Applications Open for Water Assistance Program

Water faucet

The application period for the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) is open.

The program provides assistance to low-income households to reduce balances on their residential water and wastewater bills.

The assistance can be used to restore services, avoid service disruption, or support residential customers in danger of falling behind on their bills in the near future.

Residents can apply online through the DCAid application portal.

Monkeypox (hMPXV) Vaccine Update

Syringe

Monkeypox (hMPXV) is a disease that can affect anyone, regardless of gender or sexual orientation. The virus can cause flu-like symptoms, swollen lymph nodes, and rash. Monkeypox (hMPXV) can spread to any individual from anyone who has the virus through direct contact with rashes or scabs, respiratory droplets from face-to-face interactions, or close, intimate contact.

There is a limited supply of the JYNNEOS monkeypox (hMPXV) vaccine in New Jersey. Monkeypox (hMPXV) vaccinations are provided to eligible residents at no charge to the individual. Anyone with a known exposure within the past 14 days should contact their health care provider or local health department regarding testing and vaccine eligibility. Local health departments will conduct contact tracing and offer the vaccine to anyone identified as a close contact.

For residents with known exposure to a person with monkeypox (hMPXV), the two-dose regimen of the monkeypox (hMPXV) vaccine for Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) is available through their local health department.

For those without a confirmed exposure who believe they may have been exposed or are at high risk for having been exposed to monkeypox (hMPXV), the vaccine is available through community vaccination sites.

Residents are eligible to receive a vaccine at community sites if they meet one of the following criteria:

  • People who attended an event where known monkeypox (hMPXV) exposure occurred within the past 14 days
  • People who had multiple sexual partners in the past 14 days in areas where monkeypox (hMPXV) has been reported

Vaccination is available for eligible residents at selected locations by appointment only.

Want to learn the facts about monkeypox (hMPXV), its symptoms, how it spreads, testing, and vaccinations from experts? Watch this webinar from the Department of Health.


Vaccine Requirements

Find Vaccine and Testing Locations Near You

Testing Locations

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.

Vaccine Finder

Get Your Second Booster Shot Today!

Syringe

A second Pfizer or Moderna booster dose has been approved for people aged 50+, people aged 12+ who are immunocompromised, and people aged 18+ who have only received the J&J vaccine.

This week, the CDC updated recommendations for booster shots to allow certain immunocompromised individuals and people over the age of 50 who received a previous booster dose at least 4 months ago to be eligible for another Pfizer or Moderna booster dose.

  • Individuals aged 50 and older who received a previous booster dose of Pfizer or Moderna at least four months ago are eligible for an additional booster dose of Pfizer or Moderna.
  • Individuals aged 12 and older who are moderately to severely immunocompromised who received a previous booster dose of Pfizer or Moderna at least four months ago are eligible for a second booster dose of Pfizer or Moderna.
  • Individuals aged 18 and older who received a primary dose and a previous booster dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least four months ago are eligible for an additional booster dose of Pfizer or Moderna.

Schedule your booster today at covid19.nj.gov/finder or call 855-568-0545.

Find a Vaccine

Download Docket for Mobile Vaccine Records

Mobile vaccine record

Docket is a mobile app that makes it easier for you and your family to securely access your COVID-19 vaccination record.

If you don't have your vaccination card with you or have lost it, you can easily access your record through the app to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination, as needed.

The Docket app is now available in the App Store or on Google Play.

Docket App



Free Testing is Available!

COVID test

In addition to the hundreds of testing locations available across the state, there are now expanded free testing options available for New Jerseyans:

It's especially important to get tested if you have COVID-19 symptoms after being exposed, or have been in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19. You should also get tested if you were recently at a large gathering where social distancing was hard to maintain and are not fully vaccinated or recently recovered, or if you must travel and are not fully vaccinated.

COVID-19 Testing

State of New Jersey

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.

Rental Assistance and Eviction Protections

Apartment

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.

Application Portal

Remember: You Are Not Alone

helping hands

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.

Learn More

 

 

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.

 

 211 logo

You may be aware that electric, gas and water utility companies in New Jersey will resume shut off of service in January, 2022 for customers with unpaid overdue balances.

The NJ Board of Public Utilities (NJ BPU) is trying to get the word out about their utility assistance programs to families behind on their utility bills now, so residents have time to apply for help and bring down their balances before January.

Attached is the State’s energy assistance brochure, and the NJ BPU’s fall flyer (both attached in English and Spanish).

The income limits for these utility assistance programs have been temporarily raised as of October 1st so more families can access assistance they need. For example, a household of four with income at or below $106,000 per year can qualify for monthly credits and energy debt forgiveness through the Universal Service Fund (USF) program.

NJ Energy Assistance Brochure (English).pdf
NJ Energy Assistance Brochure (Spanish).pdf
Fall 2021 BPU Assistance Flyer (Eng).pdf
Fall 2021 BPU Assistance Flyer (Spanish).pdf