NJHelps.org website adds services, functionality
Residents can check eligibility in more than 30 programs

TRENTON — Department of Human Services Commissioner Jennifer Velez and Department of Labor and Workforce Development Commissioner David J. Socolow today re-introduced the newly-expanded NJHelps.org website designed to help residents determine if they are eligible for more than 30 social services programs.

“Unfortunately, many families do not apply for services,” said Human Services Commissioner Velez. “Some may not know what programs are available and others may think they don't qualify when in fact they do.”

For this re-launch, DHS added about 20 more state programs to the online screening tool which allows residents to anonymously input basic information about their household situations and learn if they are likely to be eligible for programs offered through DHS and LWD, and the departments of Health and Senior Services, Community Affairs and Children and Families.

“Often when people have multiple needs, they do not know where to turn,” said Labor Commissioner Socolow.  “Just as our One-Stop Career Centers provide easy and comprehensive access to employment and training programs, NJHelps.org provides one-stop access to the array of services that can make a real difference to individuals, their families and their communities during their greatest times of need – when they are injured, ill, unemployed or dealing with a personal crisis.”

These programs include: food stamps, general assistance or GA, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families better known as TANF, Medicaid, NJ FamilyCare, child care assistance, kinship care and Low Income Home Energy Assistance also known as LIHEAP.

Phase two of NJHelps.org added the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and New Jersey Earned Income Tax Credit (NJETIC), Workforce Investment Act Training Programs, Workforce Development Partnership Training, AIDS Community Care Alternatives Program, Community Resources for People with Disabilities Waiver, Senior Gold and Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled (PAAD) programs among others.

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“There are thousands of residents throughout the state who could use our help,” said Commissioner Velez. “By adding programs to the site, NJHelps.org takes another important step toward improving access to services.”

In addition, the website provides access to the simple online applications for Food Stamps, NJ FamilyCare.

Since launching July 2004, www.njhelps.org has received about 150,000 visits.

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