NJ DCF to Provide Assistance to Former Foster Youth Affected by SNAP Shutdown

Supplemental Assistance Will Help Bridge the Gap

TRENTON – In response to the federal government’s suspension of full SNAP benefits, the New Jersey Department of Children and Families (DCF) is providing temporary financial assistance to foster care alumni between the ages of 18 and 27 years who are SNAP recipients.

“SNAP is a crucial resource for so many individuals throughout our state. As more than 800,000 New Jerseyans go without timely access to their full SNAP benefits, our state is working across government to provide relief,” said Acting Governor Tahesha Way. “I applaud the Department of Children and Families for sharing targeted, temporary assistance to those who have aged out of the child welfare system and are now feeling the brunt of the Trump Administration’s failure to fully and consistently fund SNAP.”

“SNAP is a lifeline to many of the children, youth, and families who are currently, or have previously, been involved with the child welfare system in New Jersey,” said NJ DCF Commissioner Christine Norbut Beyer, MSW. “But when you consider the impact on former foster youth, who are at a greater risk of food insecurity, the loss or reduction of these benefits can be absolutely catastrophic. At DCF, we will not shrug off our responsibility to the young people who have been served by our system and will step up with temporary assistance to these recipients.”

Nationally, nearly a quarter of young people who age out of the foster care system without a clear path to permanency become at-risk of food insecurity. Due to the low number of out-of-home placements and efforts to connect young people to permanent familial supports, either through kinship relationships, adoption, or reunification, the risk in New Jersey is reduced, but not eliminated. It is estimated that there are approximately 1,900 young people between the ages of 18-27 years who were in foster care in New Jersey who may feel the impact of federal disruptions to SNAP benefits.

Young people in need of assistance will need to reach out to the DCF Office of Adolescent Services at dcf_adolescentservices@dcf.nj.gov to connect to support. In order to receive assistance, applicants will be required to complete an attestation of eligibility for SNAP, as well as confirm information about their time in foster care.

Once confirmed, individuals will receive a debit card with $250 per individual to supplement assistance during the time that SNAP benefits are unavailable or reduced. Young people with families of their own will receive an additional $250 per household member to help bridge the gap in SNAP benefits.

“We know the need is bigger than just former foster youth, which is why we’re working collaboratively with the Governor and our sister agencies in state government to widen the food security safety net for all New Jerseyans in need,” said Commissioner Beyer. “For our foster care alumni, this is a step we can take quickly to mitigate at least some of the impact resulting from the loss of even part of the SNAP food assistance benefit.”

In order to raise awareness of the availability of support, NJ DCF has implemented a pop-up message on the NJ Youth Resource Spot website – njyrs.org – to connect with former foster youth who may be looking for assistance. The Department has also mobilized providers of services for transition-aged youth to help identify young people who may qualify for temporary assistance.

Commissioner Beyer added that DCF will continue to identify opportunities to assist young people in need until SNAP benefits are fully restored.

At this time, November federal SNAP benefits are not yet available to New Jersey families. The U.S. Department of Agriculture must take further action to effectuate the distribution of the contingency funds so that they can become available to recipients. The State anticipates continued gaps in access as a result of these delays caused by the federal government, and will continue to provide updates about when SNAP benefits will be issued.

This situation continues to change, so SNAP food assistance recipients should check their accounts at NJFamiliesFirst.com; call 800-997-3333; and visit njsnap.gov or nj.gov/SNAPshutdown for updates on the status of their SNAP benefits.

A number of pantries offer fresh produce in addition to stable, non-perishable foods, shopping appointments, and information about additional services. Residents are encouraged to locate food pantries and community kitchens via NJ 211 here or nj.gov/SNAPshutdown.

For more information on New Jersey’s response to the federal suspension of SNAP benefits, please visit nj.gov/SNAPshutdown.