New Jersey has an online application and screening tool, NJHelps, that can be used to see if you are eligible for food assistance (SNAP), cash assistance (WFNJ/TANF or WFNJ/GA), and health Insurance (NJ FamilyCare/Medicaid). From there, you can apply for services or learn about additional resources.
To learn more about how to apply for affordable health coverage, visit NJfamilycare.org, which provides coverage for kids and certain low-income parents.
To learn more about NJ SNAP and apply for help buying groceries, you can also visit https://www.nj.gov/humanservices/njsnap/.
To apply for support through the NJ WIC Program (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children), applicants can visit https://nj.gov/health/fhs/wic/participants/find-wic and contact their local WIC office by phone. During the coronavirus outbreak, new applicants will be assessed, certified and issued benefits remotely.
Additionally, the ConnectingNJ website can help you connect with the best health and social resources available in your local community.
HEALTH INSURANCE UPDATES
Marketplace health insurance plans and financial help are now only available through New Jersey's state-run health-care exchange Get Covered New Jersey at getcovered.nj.gov.
Get Covered New Jersey provides a one-stop shop for health insurance for residents who do not have coverage from an employer or other program. Under the American Rescue Plan, more people than ever will qualify for financial help in purchasing a plan through Get Covered NJ. If you did not qualify for financial help before because your income was too high, you may now qualify under the federal changes. If you already are receiving financial help, you are likely eligible for additional premium reductions.
Visit getcovered.nj.gov to sign up for insurance coverage, compare plans, and see if you qualify for financial help.
Open enrollment ended January 31, 2023, but you may enroll at a later date if you experience a life-changing event like losing your job-based health coverage, having a baby, or losing coverage from a parent's plan.
NOTE: Children and eligible low-income parents, pregnant women, or individuals with disabilities may also obtain affordable health coverage through NJ Family Care at any time of year. Visit NJfamilycare.org to learn more.
SNAP UPDATES
SNAP Recertification: During the pandemic, recertifications were paused and your benefits were extended. There are no more extensions and you must recertify to continue receiving benefits. When you are due for a recertification, you will receive a Notice of Expiration letter in the mail from your board of social services with your interview date. Contact your local board of social services if you have questions about your notice or if you need help completing your recertification.
Simplified Application Process: The State has made the application process for SNAP food assistance simpler. Apply online at NJHelps.org or if you do not have a computer, you can apply by phone by calling your local board of social services. You can also download the application and mail it into the local board of social services.
Temporary Emergency Supplemental Food Assistance Benefits: February 2023 is the last month households will receive additional emergency benefits. Starting in March 2023, you will only receive your regular monthly benefit amount. These additional emergency benefits are temporary. For the latest information, refer to the SNAP updates page.
Extra Benefits for Children: Pandemic-EBT (P-EBT) is a program to help purchase food for school-aged children who were eligible for free or reduced price school meals at a school that participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), but whose schools closed or operated with reduced attendance or hours for five consecutive days due to COVID-19. For the latest updates on these benefits, visit NJ SNAP's P-EBT page.
Online Grocery Shopping: New Jerseyans enrolled in SNAP may use their Families First EBT card to purchase eligible SNAP food items at participating stores online. For more information about ordering online and to find participating stores in your area, visit the NJ SNAP Using Your Benefits page.
WORK FIRST NEW JERSEY (WFNJ) UPDATES
WFNJ Work Activities: Work activities for WFNJ clients will be resuming in 2022. Your county board of social services will provide information about your work activity requirements when it is time for you to start participating.
