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Assistance and Benefits FAQs

  • What types of benefits or assistance are available to me during the coronavirus outbreak?

    Last Updated: 03/02/2022
    Health Insurance: If you do not have health insurance, or lose coverage, you may be eligible for free or low-cost coverage through NJ FamilyCare, New Jersey's publicly funded health insurance progr...
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  • Can I apply for unemployment benefits?

    Last Updated: 02/17/2023
    If you've lost your job and are seeking help, refer to this guide that will help you connect to benefits and resources you may need while trying to safely get back to work as well as tips for copin...
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  • What if I can’t pay my rent? Can I still get evicted? Is there any rental relief?

    Last Updated: 02/06/2023
    The COVID-19 eviction moratorium in New Jersey has ended, but there are critical protections for renter households who experienced economic hardships during the pandemic. Learn more on the Office o...
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  • Can my employer fire me if I miss work due to COVID-19? Do I have any civil rights protections against discrimination or harassment?

    Last Updated: 10/19/2021
    On March 20, 2020, Governor Murphy signed a law that prohibited an employer from firing or otherwise punishing an employee who requested time off or took time off from work based on a medical profe...
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  • How did the federal relief packages help me or my business?

    Last Updated: 02/17/2023
    AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT OF 2021 On March 11, 2021, the federal American Rescue Plan Act was signed into law. The act extended unemployment insurance benefits and eligibility, provided direct payme...
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  • What resources are available for immigrants in New Jersey during the coronavirus outbreak? What information is there about enforcement of immigration policy?

    Last Updated: 02/23/2022
    Health Care Coverage and Resources COVID-19 Testing and Treatment: No one in New Jersey should hesitate to get tested, regardless of immigration status or insurance coverage. Testing for COVID-19-...
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  • How do I apply for food, cash, and health insurance assistance?

    Last Updated: 02/07/2023
    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 Insuranc...
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  • Is there help for homeowners? What if I can’t pay my mortgage?

    Last Updated: 02/14/2023
    The moratorium on home foreclosures ended on November 15, 2021. Mortgage assistance, free foreclosure mediation, and housing counselors are available. In addition, participating financial instituti...
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  • Can I use sick leave or family leave if I get COVID-19 or need to take care of someone?

    Last Updated: 02/15/2023
    New Jersey has among the most comprehensive Earned Sick Leave, Temporary Disability and Family Leave Insurance laws in the country, which cover all employees -- full-time, part-time, temporary and ...
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  • If I’m self-employed or own a business, am I eligible for unemployment or other benefits?

    Last Updated: 02/17/2023
    If you've lost your job and are seeking help, refer to this general guide that will help you connect to benefits and resources you may need while trying to safely get back to work as well as tips f...
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  • What programs, loans, or resources are available to businesses impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak? Where can I learn more about resources for businesses?

    Last Updated: 02/03/2021
    For information about the various programs available to businesses, refer to this article on the COVID-19 Business Information Hub. New Jersey's COVID-19 Business Information Hub provides the lates...
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  • What if I can’t pay my water, gas, electricity, phone, or Internet bill due to the outbreak?

    Last Updated: 02/07/2023
    The utility shutoff grace period ended on March 15, 2022 for all water, electric, and sewer customers. The grace period for residential cable and internet for customers with school-aged children en...
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  • How can I get food or other essentials if I test positive? Is there any help with food, treatment, or bills while I isolate at home? Will I get fired?

    Last Updated: 04/10/2023
    If you test positive for COVID-19, stay at home, isolate from others, and wear a high-quality mask if you must be around others both at home or in public. Do not go places where you cannot wear a m...
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  • What services are available to help the homeless?

    Last Updated: 02/08/2023
    New Jersey residents experiencing homelessness should 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 diffe...
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  • Who can I call if I’m feeling stressed or anxious during the COVID-19 outbreak?

    Last Updated: 02/08/2023
    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. To access emotional su...
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  • Where can I get legal help?

    Last Updated: 09/24/2021
    Legal Services of New Jersey (LSNJ) coordinates the statewide Legal Services system, which provides free legal assistance to low-income New Jerseyans for their civil legal problems. For free legal ...
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  • If I’m pregnant or caring for my newborn and cannot work, what benefits or resources are available to me?

    Last Updated: 01/06/2022
    The New Jersey Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women Infants and Children, or WIC, is a successful public health nutrition program that provides wholesome nutrition, education and community supp...
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  • What can I do if I am denied health care for COVID-19?

    Last Updated: 01/20/2022
    No one should be denied access to health care. The Department of Health operates a 24-hour complaint hotline where patients, health care facility employees and other members of the public may file ...
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  • Are there any programs to help pay student loans?

    Last Updated: 02/07/2023
    Federal Student Loans For the latest information about the federal student loan payment pause, visit the U.S. Department of Education's frequently asked questions page. State Financial Aid Programs...
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  • What is the State doing to support older residents? Is there help registering for the vaccine?

    Last Updated: 02/15/2023
    COVID-19 Vaccines Individuals aged 65 and older can call a special senior hotline at 855-429-1168 for vaccination scheduling support: 10:00am-6:00pm Monday-Friday 10:00am-4:00pm Saturday In addit...
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  • What can I do if my child is being bullied or harassed because of COVID-19? What if it’s at school?

    Last Updated: 03/18/2021
    Under the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD), schools and other places of public accommodation must take action to stop harassment based on race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual ...
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  • What resources are available to Veterans during the public health emergency?

    Last Updated: 12/16/2021
    Veterans and their families can check on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs public-facing website for the most current information: www.va.gov/coronavirus Guidance from local VA medical facili...
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  • What resources and support are available to survivors of domestic violence?

    Last Updated: 02/15/2023
    If you are in danger, call 911 right away. Isolation is one of the most significant factors that leads to an increase in domestic violence and safety risks. Don't let social distancing mean social ...
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  • Can I get addiction treatment help via the phone?

    Last Updated: 02/08/2023
    ReachNJ is a 24-hour-a-day, 7 day-a-week addictions hotline where people who have Substance Use Disorder or friends and family can get assistance and support from live, New Jersey-based, trained ad...
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  • What resources are available to help people with disabilities? Is there help during an emergency?

    Last Updated: 02/10/2023
    Resources To Save Money With NJ ABLE, individuals with disabilities can save for qualified disability expenses without losing eligibility for certain assistance programs, like SSI and Medicaid. Vis...
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  • How is New Jersey supporting deaf and hard of hearing individuals during COVID-19? Where can I find COVID-19 communication cards?

    Last Updated: 09/22/2021
    Vaccination Update Community-based sites have been designed to meet the needs of all residents in the state. These sites meet ADA accessibility standards, and special arrangements are made for thos...
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  • What is the Excluded New Jersey Fund? Can I get benefits if I didn't qualify for federal aid or unemployment?

    Last Updated: 03/14/2022
    The Excluded New Jersey Fund (ENJF) provides a one-time, direct cash benefit to eligible households who have suffered an economic hardship due to COVID-19 and were excluded from both the federal st...
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  • What is the Return & Earn Program? How can I find information about return-to-work paycheck bonuses?

    Last Updated: 02/24/2022
    The Return and Earn program benefits employers and their new employees. Qualified employers receive a wage subsidy for six months, while unemployed workers reentering the workforce and receiving jo...
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  • Can I use sick leave to get a COVID-19 vaccine?

    Last Updated: 02/12/2022
    Yes, employees can use their NJ Earned Sick Leave to get their COVID-19 vaccine, including for travel to and from their appointment and recovery from side effects. Under NJ state law, employers mus...
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  • How do I unsubscribe from NJ COVID-19 email updates?

    Last Updated: 05/14/2021
    The State of New Jersey regularly sends several email newsletters, so it depends which newsletter you wish to stop receiving. For the Statewide Update newsletter, click here to unsubscribe or updat...
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  • Is the COVID-19 vaccine free? What if I don't have insurance?

    Last Updated: 03/15/2021
    No one will have to pay for the vaccine. There are no out-of-pocket costs for the vaccine. COVID-19 vaccines will be made available to individuals regardless of insurance coverage status. Individua...
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  • How has New Jersey spent its COVID relief funds?

    On October 16, 2020, New Jersey launched the COVID-19 Transparency website, which tracks the State's eligible and planned uses of any funds disbursed by the federal or State government to help New ...
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