RELEASE: July 19, 2004

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Human Services introduces NJHelps.org
website to help access services

TRENTON- Department of Human Services (DHS) Commissioner Jim Davy introduced the new NJ Helps website (http://www.njhelps.org) today to help New Jersey residents determine if they are eligible for eight programs offered by the Department.

“Unfortunately, many families fail to apply for services,” said Commissioner Davy. “They might be embarrassed by their personal situation or simply do not apply – wrongly believing they will not be eligible.”

The NJ Helps website allows residents to anonymously input basic information about their household and finances and in return learn if they are likely to be eligible for eight different programs offered through the DHS’ Division of Family Development and Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services.

These programs are: food stamps, general assistance or GA, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families better known as TANF, Medicaid, New Jersey Family Care, child care assistance, kinship care and Low Income Home Energy Assistance also known as LIHEAP.

In addition, the website provides valuable information on local offices, what documents are needed to apply and links to online applications for food stamps, New Jersey Family Care or LIHEAP that can be printed, filled out and then mailed or faxed in.

“There are thousands of residents throughout the state who could use our help,” said Commissioner Davy. “With NJ Helps, we are taking an important first step in improving access to services.”

Phase two of NJ Helps includes plans to add the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and New Jersey Earned Income Tax Credit (NJETIC). DHS is also working with the Departments of Health and Senior Services and Labor and Workforce Development about possibly adding some of their programs to the NJ Helps website.

The NJ Helps application was purchased for $20,000 from Multnomah County, Oregon and ECONorthwest creators of the award-winning OregonHelps website. A work group of community-based organizations, county welfare offices and state officials provided input on modifying the software for New Jersey. By purchasing the existing OregonHelps application, DHS plans on saving $400,000 in annual software licensing and maintenance fees.

As part of today’s announcement, Commissioner Davy also announced the Department is collaborating with the New Jersey 2-1-1 Partnership to create an e-service directory for New Jersey residents to obtain information on health and human services, volunteer programs and giving opportunities.

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