FOOD AND CASH ASSISTANCE

SNAP (food stamps)

If you need food assistance, you may be eligible for NJ SNAP. To learn more go to NJSNAP.gov or to apply go to NJHELPS.org. New Jersey WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children) is allowing remote access to benefits and additional food items. Additionally, SNAP recipients can use their benefits for online grocery shopping, including but not limited to Walmart and Amazon.

NJ WIC

The New Jersey Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women Infants and Children is commonly known as WIC. WIC is a successful public health nutrition program that provides wholesome food, nutrition education and community support for income eligible women who are pregnant and post-partum, infants and children up to five years old.

HEALTH INSURANCE/MEDICAID/MEDICARE

GetCoveredNJ, New Jersey’s Official Health Insurance Marketplace

Open enrollment for NJ residents in the GetCoveredNJ runs from November 1 to Jan. 31. If you lost employer coverage or income, you may be able to enroll in Marketplace coverage now through a Special Enrollment Period. Free or low-cost coverage is also available through NJ FamilyCare for those who qualify.

Medicare

Medicare is health insurance for people 65 or older. You may be eligible to get Medicare earlier if you have a disability, End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), or ALS (also called Lou Gehrig’s disease). Open enrollment starts on October 15.

NJ FamilyCare

If you need health insurance, you or your family may be eligible for free or low-cost coverage from NJ FamilyCare. For more information on health insurance options, and to see if you qualify for financial help to lower the cost of a plan, visit GetCoveredNJ.

HOUSING/MORTGAGES/RENT

Affordable New Jersey Communities for Homeowners and Renters (ANCHOR)

This program offers property tax relief to New Jersey residents who own or rent property in New Jersey as their main home and meet certain income limits. This year’s ANCHOR benefit is based on residency, income, and age from 2024. Senior residents or residents collecting Social Security disability benefits can apply now using the combined application, PAS-1. The deadline to apply is October 31, 2025.

The Division filed ANCHOR applications on behalf of many eligible New Jersey homeowners and renters under age 65 who are not receiving Social Security disability benefits. On August 13, 2025, the Division Anchor Benefit Confirmation Letters to these applicants.

• Applicants who received a letter and needed to update banking information, request a paper check, or decline the filing were required to submit their own application by September 15, 2025.
• Applicants who did not receive a letter may submit an Application for Property Tax Relief on their own by October 31, 2025.

Housing Assistance

New Jersey Departmet of Community Affairs This office oversees programs that prevent homelessness and help people move out of temporary shelters and into stable, permanent housing. The office administers housing assistance programs such as the Homelessness Prevention Program (HPP), the Housing Choice Voucher Section 8 Program (Section 8) and the State Rental Assistance Program (SRAP).

If you are facing immediate housing issues you can call the New Jersey Housing Center at 1-877-428-8844, or the NJ State Homeless Hotline, NJ 211, by dialing 2-1-1..

LEGAL AID

If you need legal assistance or advice, there are many services available for free to low-income New Jerseyans on a range of issues including debt, domestic violence, eviction, applying for public benefits, immigration, and more. The legal services organization for Hudson County is Northeast New Jersey Legal Services (201-792-6363, NNJLS@lsnj.org).

MENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

Mental Health

At the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, counselors understand that life’s challenges can sometimes be difficult. Whether you’re facing mental health struggles, emotional distress, alcohol or drug use concerns, or just need someone to talk to, call, text or chart at 988. You are not alone.

New Jersey Suicide Prevention Resource Center

The Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) is the only federally supported resource center devoted to advancing the implementation of the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention. They provide consultation, training, and resources to enhance suicide prevention efforts.

ReachNJ.GOV, New Jersey’s Addiction Helpline

Help is available for individuals seeking assistance for substance use disorders. Call 1-844-ReachNJ (844-732-2465). Those who may be having suicidal thoughts should call, text or chart at 988.

New Jersey Mental Health Cares

The Mental Health Association in New Jersey’s NJMentalHealthCares Helpline offers free, anonymous online mental health screenings in cooperation with Mental Health America. Self-assessments are available for depression, anxiety, substance abuse, PTSD and bipolar disorder, as well as screens for youth and parents.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation and to improve the lives of individuals living with mental and substance use disorders, and their families.

Statewide Domestic Violence Hotline

Provides a statewide 24-hour, seven-day-a-week domestic violence hotline (1-800-572-7233) to serve domestic violence victims and others seeking information about domestic violence. The Hotline provides bilingual service and is accessible to the hearing impaired.

NJ Statewide Domestic Violence Helpline: Call 1-800-572-SAFE (7233)

National Domestic Violence Videophone for Deaf survivors: Call 1-855-812-1001, or Text LOVEIS to 22522.

GriefShare

A site with various resources on dealing with bereavement and grief. They also have a search engine where you can find a support group to join. They also have daily emails, how to build a support team, a bookstore and how to start a group.

UTILITIES

Low Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP)

Low-Income eligible households that are having a difficulty paying their heating and cooling bills can contact this office for financial assistance and help in weatherizing their homes.