New Jersey Earned Income Tax Credit (NJEITC) #
New Jersey EITC is enacted to supplement the federal EITC, an income tax credit for low-income working residents that rewards work and boosts the pay of families across the country.
Not only it reduces the amount of tax you owe, it may also give you a refund, even if you owe no tax. Most residents are eligible for the NJEITC if they were eligible to receive a federal EITC.
Working New Jerseyans are currently eligible to receive 40% of the federal benefit received through the state EITC. For example, if your federal EITC is $4,000, the amount of your NJEITC will be $1,600.
To receive the NJEITC, you must file a New Jersey Gross Income Tax Resident Return (Form NJ-1040) using information from your Federal 1040.
New Jersey SNAP #
New Jersey’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, NJ SNAP, provides food assistance to families with low incomes to help them buy groceries. Eligibility is set by several factors, such as income and resources.
Most families with gross income up to 185% of the federal poverty level or about $3,551 a month for a family of three, qualify for SNAP benefits.
Go to NJHelps.com to pre-screen your eligibility. This is a quick and easy way to find out if you qualify. If eligible, you’ll receive your benefits through the “Families First” card.
WorkFirst New Jersey (WFNJ) #
WorkFirst NJ, the state’s welfare program, is the cash assistance program for poor families with children under age 18. The program goal is to help them get off of welfare and become self-sufficient through job training, education and work activities.
WorkFirst NJ limits assistance to a maximum of 5 years over a participant’s lifetime, with certain exceptions. The elderly, disabled persons, and children under age 18 are exempt from this limit.
How much cash assistance will you get in NJ?
WorkFirst NJ recipients may receive Emergency Assistance (EA) in certain situations, such as being at risk of becoming homeless or a substantial loss of housing, food, or clothing due to fire, flood or similar disaster.
The state also has another program for single adults and couples without dependent children who have little or no income, known as WorkFirst NJ General Assistance (WFNJ/GA).
New Jersey FamilyCare #
NJ FamilyCare is federal and state funded health insurance program that helps qualified New Jersey residents afford health insurance — which under the ACA, has been revised to include CHIP and Medicaid.
For most families, NJ FamilyCare will be free. Others will pay a monthly premium based on their income and small co-payments for some services. 1
Who is eligible for NJ Family Care?
As New Jersey is expanding Medicaid coverage, NJ FamilyCare is now available to eligible adults age 19-64 with income up to 138% of the federal poverty level. For children, NJ FamilyCare covers up to 355% of the poverty level.
How do I apply for NJ Family Care?
If you think you may be eligible for NJ FamilyCare based on your income, go to www.NJFamilyCare.org to apply online or call 1-800-701-0710 to track your application's status.
NJ Child Care Subsidy Program #
NJ Child Care Subsidy Program (CCSP) provides subsidized childcare voucher payments for working families and full time students who meet the guidelines mandated by the state of New Jersey — primarily, families earning up to 200% of the federal poverty level.
This childcare subsidy will assist you to pay for childcare for infants, toddlers, preschool-age children, school-age children up to age 13, and for children with special needs up to age 19.
To be eligible, you must meet the strict income requirement and be employed full time for a minimum of 30 hours per week or be enrolled in a school/training program for a minimum of 20 hours per week.
How do I apply for child care assistance in New Jersey?
Transitional Child Care #
If you participated in Work First New Jersey, you may be eligible for extended child care benefits for up to 24 months after you leave welfare. You’ll pay part of the cost of child care (a “co-pay” or fee), the amount of which may vary depending on your income.
For more information, call
1-800-332-9227
NJ Hospital Care Payment Assistance Program (Charity Care) #
Charity Care is the state program for low-income people in New Jersey who do not have full health care coverage and who are not eligible for programs like Medicaid or NJ FamilyCare.
Families with incomes not exceeding 200% of the federal poverty level may qualify for free hospital care. Those above the limit may receive reduced cost care where you only have to pay a portion of your hospital bill.
If you’re eligible for this program, you should apply for Charity Care at the hospital where you receive the service, usually in the hospital’s business office.
For more information, please call
Health Care for the Uninsured Program
1-866-588-5696
New Jersey Special Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) #
NJ WIC serves New Jersey’s youngest residents and their families at risk for poor nutrition and medically related health problems as well as families experiencing unemployment and other interim family financial hardships.
It provides special checks or vouchers for buying healthy foods to supplement their diet. Other benefits include nutrition education, breastfeeding support, free screening and referral to health care.
Can I apply for WIC online in NJ?
No. You may only apply for New Jersey WIC by contacting your local WIC agency or WIC clinic office and scheduling an appointment.
For information about your local WIC agency and how to apply
Call 1-866-44 NJ WIC or 1-866-446-5942
NJ State Rental Assistance Program (SRAP) #
The State of New Jersey Rental Assistance Program (SRAP) is a state funded program that provides housing subsidies on behalf of extremely low-income residents — elderly, family with children, and the disabled.
Applicants must meet the income limits of the county where they are being subsidized and provide proof of residency. Applicants must have resided in New Jersey for at least six months prior to applying for SRAP.
To apply for SRAP, go to https://www.waitlistcheck.com/NJ559 during the open enrollment period and follow the given instructions to submit a pre-application. If selected, you’ll be placed on the waiting list.
New Jersey Department of Community Affairs
Applicant Services Unit (ASU)
609-633-6157
New Jersey Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) #
The state of New Jersey’s LIHEAP is designed to help very low-income households with their utility bills — helping them stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
To be eligible for LIHEAP benefits, the applicant household must be responsible for home heating or cooling costs, either directly or included in the rent; and have gross income not exceeding 200% of the federal poverty level.
How do I apply for energy assistance online in NJ?
If you are eligible, download, print and complete the Home Energy/USF/Weatherization Program Application and submit the completed application to your Local Community Action Agency.
For further information on LIHEAP or to locate the nearest application agency, call 1-800-510-3102. Additional information about LIHEAP, including an application, is also available at www.energyassistance.nj.gov.
New Jersey SHARES #
New Jersey SHARES is another energy assistance program that assists households who do not qualify for LIHEAP and whose income does not exceed 400% of the Federal Poverty Level.
Eligibility is determined by income and household size. Applicants must demonstrate a temporary financial need and make a good-faith payment of $100 or more within 90 days of applying for NJ SHARES.
How much does LIHEAP pay in NJ?
If eligible, you may receive grants up to $700 for gas and $500 for electric service. To apply for the New Jersey SHARES program, please call toll-free 1-866-NJSHARES (1-866-657-4273).
New Jersey Unemployment Insurance #
Unemployment benefits are a safety net for those who lose their jobs through no fault of their own — providing weekly cash benefits of up to $804 to those who qualify.
To be eligible for unemployment benefits, you must be able to work, available for work, and actively seeking work during each week in which you are claiming benefits.
How do I claim my NJ unemployment benefits online?
Before benefits can be paid to you, you must file a claim. You can claim either online or by telephone at any of three Reemployment Call Centers in New Jersey.
New Jersey Family Leave Insurance (FLI) Program #
How does FLI work in NJ? New Jersey is one of the first states that provides paid leave benefits for employees who need to “take time off” to bond with a newborn baby or provide care for a seriously ill family member.
Under NJ’s Family Leave Insurance program, cash benefits equaling to as much as two-thirds of their earned wages may be payable for up to 12 continuous weeks of benefits.
This is a significant increase from the six (6) weeks that employees were previously entitled to. In addition, claimants are paid 85% of their average weekly wage, and the maximum weekly benefit increases to $1,025 per week.
NJ Earned Sick Leave #
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 seasonal.
If you are sick, need time to care for others, or are unable to work due to the public health emergency, you may eligible for New Jersey Earned Sick Leave, up to 40 hours of earned sick leave each year.
The State of New Jersey has created a benefits eligibility tool to help you understand what benefits programs and job protections are available to you during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Can I use my NJ Earned Sick Leave to get my vaccine?
Yes, you can use their NJ Earned Sick Leave to get their COVID-19 vaccine, including for travel to and from your appointment and recovery from side effects, if any.
Tuition Aid Grant (TAG) #
The Tuition Aid Grant (TAG) Program is one of largest and most generous financial aid programs, with nearly one in every three full-time New Jersey undergraduates receiving awards.
TAG awards are renewable annually and range from $2,924 up to $13,590. Students with an NJ Eligibility Index below 1,500 qualify for the maximum awards.
Part-time TAG is also available for students who are enrolled for 6-11 credits in approved county colleges. The amount of the grant varies depending on student need, cost of attendance and available funding.
How do I get a TAG grant in NJ?
To be considered for a TAG award, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be completed each year within established NJ deadlines and meet all other program requirements.
NJ STARS #
NJ STARS is an initiative created by the State of New Jersey that provides New Jersey’s highest achieving students with free tuition at their home county college.
Students who rank in the top 15% of their class at the end of either junior or senior year of high school may be eligible to receive an NJ STARS award.
NJ STARS students must attain with a cumulative GPA of 3.20 or higher to meet the academic requirement for renewal or graduate with GPA of 3.50 or higher to qualify academically for the NJ STARS II program.
How do I apply for the NJ Star program?
Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or NJ Alternative Financial Aid Application within established state deadlines and meet all eligibility requirements.
New Jersey Alternative Financial Aid Application (NJ Dreamers)
In May 2018, NJ became the 10th state to expand access to state financial aid to Dreamers and undocumented students who meet certain criteria.
The New Jersey Alternative Financial Aid Application allows NJ Dreamers enrolled in eligible New Jersey colleges and universities to apply for state financial aid.
- NJ FamilyCare – Income Eligibility and Cost.