Division of Social Services
Press Release NJ Human Services Announces $70 Million in Food Assistance for Vulnerable Families in New Jersey. Many New Jerseyans who receive food assistance through the NJ Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (NJ SNAP) will receive an extra benefit payment on Sunday and their benefits will be higher in April to help address critical food needs related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
During this difficult time, we encourage residents who need food assistance to visit and apply for SNAP online at www.NJHelps.gov 
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Click for ongoing updates about the SNAP food assistance program and the Work First New Jersey cash assistance programs during the coronavirus public health crisis.
PO Box 218
83 Spring Street Suite 203
Newton, NJ 07860
Tel: 973-383-3600
Apply for benefits online any time.
For New Jersey Family Care please apply online at either www.njfamilycare.org or www.healthcare.gov
Our mission is the delivery of public assistance and social services to eligible individuals and families to alleviate human suffering, and to maximize individual potential, in a competent and compassionate manner.
Services
ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES Investigation of allegations of abuse, neglect and exploitation of elderly, blind or disabled adults, age 18 or over, who live in the community. The Division of Social Services is the legally designated office to investigate concerns about an elderly, disabled or blind person. Division staff have participated in at least 90 hours of training specifically related to APS. Persons with concerns should contact the Division of Social Services directly by phone at 973-383-3600 or fax at 973.383.3627.
Funding for APS is provided in part by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services through the Sussex County Division of Senior Services.
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ADULT SERVICES Provides an array of social services for citizens who are 60 years of age or over and disabled adults over age 18. Funding permitting financial services include payment for homemaker and chore services, and limited assist with medical and prescription payments. (See also 'Medicaid' and 'Food Stamps' below.)
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BOARDING HOME SERVICES Provides placement finding and services to residents of boarding homes. Investigation of complaints regarding boarding homes. Provides socialization activities for boarding home residents to maximize their functioning in the community, which in many cases avoids the resident's institutionalization.
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CHILD SUPPORT AND PATERNITY (CSP) Promotes financial and medical security for all New Jersey children in need of support. For the general public, provides location services for non-custodial parents and a triennial review of all existing child support orders. In conjunction with Family Court, provides for genetic testing in all contested paternity matters. For all Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) and Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) Medicaid applicants, cooperation with child support is the required first step for eligibility. Provides a full range of services including location, genetic testing and complaint initiation in local and out of the state courts. Collection and enforcement of established orders are referred to the appropriate NJ County or out of state Probation Department. For more information go to the New Jersey Child Support Program website.
The New Jersey Child Support Program has made changes to improve its customer service to the families of New Jersey. These improvements allow customers greater access to case information, court information and the ability to make payments securely, through an automated PIN process, and efficiently through enhanced website and phone systems. The improved Interactive Voice Response System and website will also assist customers accessing additional family support services. New Jersey Child Support customers will also be able to speak to a Child Support Representative from the expanded hours of 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. Customers may also access enhanced customer services by calling 1-877-NJKIDS1 (1-877-655-4371) or through the website, www.njchildsupport.org .
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CHORE SERVICES Provides payment for light household tasks and/or home health services for eligible persons unable to perform such tasks themselves; to enable elderly/disabled to remain independent.
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EDUCATION & TRAINING Assists Work First New Jersey Participants to obtain education or training with the goal of self-sufficiency and self-support
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FAMILY PLANNING Provides information to enable persons to voluntarily limit family size or prevent unwanted pregnancies.
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FOOD PANTRY Pandemic update: If in need for emergency food, you can come to Social Services Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Use the intercom by the garage door to ask for food - this may take a few minutes. We also have some toiletries and pet food available if needed. Please call 973-383-3600 if you wish to make a donation.
The shelves in the Food Locker of the Division of Social Services, as well as other food pantries throughout the County, are often bare. Items needed are those required to feed a family: shelf stable milk, cereal, peanut butter, jelly, crackers, meals in a can, soup, tuna or other proteins in a can. Personal items are always in need. Since the Food Locker is one of the only food pantries to stock pet food, pet food is also needed. Also welcome are cash donations through which perishable food goods or vouchers are purchased as needed.
Other food pantries in Sussex County
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Food collected through Champions For Charity is given to the Social Services food pantry in Newton. Carol Novrit, Director of Social Services encourages anyone who is having trouble making ends meet to stretch their dollars by visiting the food pantry at 83 Spring Street, Newton, NJ. Visit Champions for Charity on Facebook.
FOOD STAMPS (FS) Provides assistance for food purchases to persons who live together, and purchase and prepare food in common. The program considers the household member's income, resources and selected expenses. Senior citizens who eat at nutrition sites or have home delivered meals can use the Food Stamps to pay for the meals. In many cases an application can be made by mail without the necessity of an in person interview. This accommodation is routinely available to the elderly and working persons. For more information go to The Department of Agriculture Food Stamp website. Keywords: SNAP, EBT
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GENERAL ASSISTANCE (GA) A state funded cash assistance program for single individuals and childless couples. May also receive Food Stamps and Medicaid. (See also Work First New Jersey - WFNJ) A 5 year lifetime limit applies. The Division of Social Services provides General Assistance to residents of all municipalities in Sussex County, except Montague Township, which has chosen to retain program administration within the municipality.
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HEALTH RELATED SERVICES Assists persons to attain and maintain good health; limited financial assistance for unmet, essential medical/dental needs and prescriptions help. (See also "Medicaid" below)
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HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION Provides emergency funds and services to eligible households which are homeless or in danger of becoming homeless. Emergency Assistance to recipients of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, General Assistance, and Supplemental Security Income is available each year. The amount of funding for other low income groups varies from year to year. Payments are subject to the availability of funds, and not an entitlement.
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HOUSING RELATED SERVICES Assists persons to find, improve or maintain adequate housing and provide emergency housing.
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INFORMATION & REFERRAL The Division of Social Services has been providing services to Sussex County residents since 1932. Information about Sussex County areawide community resources and services is available. The division also assists with referral and follow-up to many other community service providers. The division is a 'One Stop' resource for county residents seeking information on social services.
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KINSHIP NAVIGATOR PROGRAM Provides financial assistance to adults caring for children whose parents are unable to do so. The Kinship Navigator Program is a special form of legal guardianship.
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MEDICAID/MEDICAL ASSISTANCE Medicaid benefits can include payment of hospital, doctor, dental, prescription, rehabilitative and nursing home services, among others.
Medicaid is not the same as Medicare, which is a program administered by the Social Security Administration.
Families with children, pregnant women and other adults who meet income and resource requirements are eligible under various Medicaid programs such as New Jersey Care and New Jersey FamilyCare.
Elderly and disabled persons whose income is above the Supplementary Security Income (SSI) levels are often eligible for Medicaid.*
We also assist those in need of nursing home care or medical home based services.*
Recipients of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and General Assistance (GA) are automatically eligible for Medicaid. Clients losing TANF eligibility due to increased income may be eligible to receive Medicaid up to two additional years.
In most cases enrollment with a managed care health maintenance organization (HMO) is required. Many Medicaid applications may be made by mail without the necessity of an in person interview.
*There is a misconception that if a person owns a home that they are not eligible for services from the Division of Social Services. Home ownership is not a bar to receiving division services, including Medicaid, Food Stamps, cash assistance, or any other service. Many elderly persons fear that if they apply for Medicaid that a lien will be placed on their home. This is not correct. No liens are placed on homes. The State of NJ may recover costs of Medicaid (usually for extended nursing facility care) but the recovery would not occur until after the death of the Medicaid client: or while the Medicaid client, spouse, or minor or disabled children resided in the home.
An application for New Jersey FamilyCare/Medicaid can be downloaded from the internet and mailed to the Sussex County Division of Social Services, or completed online. No face to face interview is required, if you are applying for NJFamilyCare/Medicaid only. If you are interested in applying for NJFamilyCare/Medicaid AND Food Stamps, OR cash assistance, please contact the Sussex County Division of Social Services for more information.
The website address for more information and the NJFamilyCare application is http://www.njfamilycare.org
The Elderly and Disabled can obtain information about the Pharmaceutical Assistance program (PAAD) at https://www.njpaad.gov
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TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES (TANF) Provides financial assistance for minor children, plus their parents or relatives who have insufficient income. Many recipients are also eligible for food stamps and Medicaid. Each recipient completes a written application every six months, providing the agency with current information to determine eligibility. A 5 year lifetime limit applies. (See also Work First New Jersey - WFNJ)
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TRANSPORTATION As funding permits, provides transportation assistance for employment directed activities.
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VOLUNTEERS are always needed to collect donations of non perishable canned goods for our food pantry which provides emergency food for those in need. Also welcome are cash donations through which perishable food goods or vouchers are purchased as needed.
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WORK FIRST NEW JERSEY (WFNJ) Seeks to assist primarily Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) and General Assistance (GA) recipients with employment-directed services such as job search, counseling and training in order that clients obtain financial self-sufficiency. In addition to TANF/GA benefits, participants receive payments for childcare, transportation, and other work-related expenses. Usually, clients losing TANF eligibility due to employment, continue to receive Medicaid, Food Stamps, subsidized childcare, and other services necessary for continued employment, for two years. The Work First New Jersey (WFNJ) program is calendar year contract based with the NJ Division of Family Development/Department of Human Services, and currently provides housing and transportation assistance to employed persons who have not received TANF. Many different agencies in Sussex County provide services to participants. The Morris Sussex Warren Workforce Investment Board (WIB) has the overall responsibility to administer the program.
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The NJ 2-1-1 Partnership provides a searchable directory of services available in Sussex County.
The MorrisSussexResourceNet.org is a free web tool providing a wide range of information about support, resources, and services for families in Morris and Sussex counties in New Jersey.
The Sussex County Human Services Resource Directory is a searchable list of human services available to Sussex County residents.
The links provided are for information purposes. No evaluation or recommendation of any specific service provider is intended.
The Division of Social Services' "Right Door Since 1932" policy is your assurance that agency staff will make every effort to meet your Social Service needs as provided for by law and regulation.