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Assistance and Benefits FAQs

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

    Last Updated: 10/19/2020
    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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  • Am I eligible for any unemployment benefits if my work has been negatively impacted by COVID-19?

    Last Updated: 09/29/2021
    Note: If your job was impacted by Hurricane Ida or if you live in an affected disaster area, you may be eligible for unemployment benefits. Learn more here. If you've lost your job and are seeking ...
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  • What if I can’t pay my rent? Can I still get evicted? Is there any rental relief?

    Last Updated: 08/27/2021
    Eviction Protection The State of New Jersey has introduced new protections to renter households who experienced economic hardships during the pandemic: All renter households with incomes below 120...
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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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  • What resources are available for immigrants in New Jersey during the coronavirus outbreak? What information is there about enforcement of immigration policy?

    Last Updated: 10/19/2021
    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 the federal relief packages help me or my business? How do I get my economic impact payment?

    Last Updated: 09/29/2021
    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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  • How do I apply for food, cash, and health insurance assistance? How are assistance programs adjusting for COVID-19?

    Last Updated: 10/05/2021
    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: 08/12/2021
    Through November 15th, 2021, while foreclosure cases may proceed, you cannot be removed from your home as a result of those proceedings. Foreclosure Mediation The New Jersey Judiciary is offering f...
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  • Am I eligible for sick leave, family leave, or temporary disability insurance if I or a family member have been impacted by the outbreak?

    Last Updated: 09/29/2021
    Note: If your job was impacted by Hurricane Ida or if you live in an affected disaster area, you may be eligible for unemployment benefits. Learn more here. New Jersey has among the most comprehens...
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  • If I’m self-employed or own a business, am I eligible for unemployment or other benefits?

    Last Updated: 09/29/2021
    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? Is the State doing anything to prevent utility shutoffs?

    Last Updated: 06/17/2021
    No one will face a gas, water, or electric utility disconnection before December 31st, 2021. Households with residential internet service accounts currently being used by school-aged children for e...
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  • How can I get food or other essentials if I cannot leave my home? Is there any help with food, treatment, or bills if I need to self-isolate or quarantine? Will I get fired?

    Last Updated: 09/29/2021
    If you are quarantined or in home isolation, do not leave your home. There are many programs in place to help you and your family including food assistance, unemployment insurance, sick leave, and ...
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  • What can I do if I’m having child custody issues?

    Last Updated: 10/12/2021
    If you are unable to come to an agreement or settle the issue on your own, try seeking mediation. Legal Assistance Legal Services of New Jersey (LSNJ) coordinates the statewide Legal Services syste...
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  • What services are available to help the homeless?

    Last Updated: 07/07/2021
    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: 07/09/2020
    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: 04/17/2020
    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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  • Was the deadline to file taxes extended? Are there any tax relief programs?

    Last Updated: 03/19/2021
    INCOME TAXES The deadline for individuals to file both federal and state income taxes for the 2020 tax year has been extended from April 15, 2021 to May 17, 2021. This extension applies to individu...
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  • What happens if I can’t pay my insurance premiums?

    Last Updated: 10/13/2020
    Governor Murphy has signed an executive order extending the grace period for residents unable to pay their insurance premiums because of a loss of income or other negative impact as a result of the...
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  • What can I do if I am denied health care for COVID-19?

    Last Updated: 02/26/2021
    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? Have deadlines to apply for financial aid changed?

    Last Updated: 09/24/2021
    Federal Student Loans Student Loan Payments to Restart After Jan. 31, 2022 To provide relief to student loan borrowers during the COVID-19 national emergency, under the CARES ACT, federal student l...
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  • If I'm a business that urgently needs workers, or if I'm a worker looking for a job, where can I go?

    Last Updated: 05/07/2020
    Job Seekers 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 ti...
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  • What resources and assistance are available for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities?

    Last Updated: 09/22/2021
    In response to COVID-19, the Department of Human Services and the Division of Developmental Disabilities have: Temporarily allowing for in-home support or remote delivery of services including cog...
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  • How can I avoid COVID-19 scams and where can I report excessive delivery fees, price gouging, unlawful hoarding, and other COVID-19 scams?

    Last Updated: 01/21/2021
    To report any instance of unlawful or misleading activities related to COVID-19, file a complaint online with the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs or call 973-504-6240. To learn more about C...
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  • What is the State doing to support older residents? Is there help registering for the vaccine?

    Last Updated: 10/12/2021
    COVID-19 Vaccines Individuals aged 65 and older can call a special senior hotline at 856-249-7007 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. for vaccination scheduling support. Dedicated appointment slots are reserved ...
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  • How much money is the federal government spending to address the coronavirus pandemic, and what is the US spending the money on?

    The federal government is spending billions of dollars to combat COVID-19. Explore who the US is buying from, what it's buying, and how much it's paying using this interactive tracker created by Pr...
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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: 10/19/2021
    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: 10/05/2021
    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: 04/09/2020
    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: 09/27/2021
    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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  • Where can I find information about the PPE Access Program?

    Last Updated: 06/08/2021
    New Jersey PPE Access Program The New Jersey Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Access Program helps businesses and non-profits protect the health and safety of their employees and customers. Thro...
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  • Can I use sick leave to get a COVID-19 vaccine?

    Last Updated: 06/14/2021
    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 weekly COVID-19 email newsletter, click here to unsubscribe or ...
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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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  • What is the Return & Earn Program? How can I find information about return-to-work paycheck bonuses?

    The Return & Earn Program will assist unemployed workers in their return to work and help small businesses fill the positions they need to fill to grow, thrive, and lead our economic recovery. Visi...
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