If you are affected by the Federal Government Shutdown, here are New Jersey-based resources available to you right now. This guide keeps things simple: manage cash flow, secure food and health coverage, keep your utilities on, and protect your housing.
NOTE: This information is gathered from public internet sources. Programs change; always click through, confirm details, and beware of scams (no fees to apply for SNAP, Medicaid, UI, housing, or 2-1-1). If something looks off, call the official numbers on the linked sites to verify before sharing personal info. This is not legal, financial, or life advice; seek licensed professionals for help.
🕐 What to do first (10-minute plan)
- Cash flow triage: File or reopen your Unemployment Insurance (UI) claim through the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) and certify weekly via myunemployment.nj.gov.
- Food & health coverage: Apply for SNAP (Food Assistance) and Medicaid/NJ FamilyCare through the New Jersey Department of Human Services (DHS) at NJHelps.org. Check eligibility for WIC through your county WIC office or the New Jersey WIC Program.
- Keep the heat and lights on: Apply for LIHEAP (Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program) and Universal Service Fund (USF) through the DCAid portal or local Community Action Agency. Contact PSE&G, Atlantic City Electric, or JCP&L for payment assistance and hardship programs.
- Housing stability: Get rent and mortgage help through the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA) and HUD New Jersey.
- One-stop referrals: Dial 2-1-1 New Jersey or visit nj211.org for help with food, rent, bills, health, and legal aid.
🔗 Links & Resources (New Jersey)
Income & Jobs
New Jersey Department of Labor (Unemployment Insurance):
🔗 https://www.nj.gov/labor/
File or Reopen Claim:
🔗 https://myunemployment.nj.gov/
NJ Career Connections (Job Search & Training):
🔗 https://careerconnections.nj.gov/
Food Access
SNAP (Food Assistance):
🔗 https://www.nj.gov/humanservices/njsnap/
Apply via NJHelps:
🔗 https://www.njhelps.org/
WIC (Women, Infants & Children):
🔗 https://nj.gov/health/fhs/wic/participants/find-wic/
Community FoodBank of New Jersey:
🔗 https://cfbnj.org/findfood/
Health Coverage
NJ FamilyCare (Medicaid & CHIP):
🔗 https://njfamilycare.dhs.state.nj.us/
Apply via NJHelps:
🔗 https://www.njhelps.org/
Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs):
🔗 https://www.njpca.org/
Heat, Utilities & Weatherization
LIHEAP & USF (Energy Assistance):
🔗 https://www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/dhcr/offices/hea.html
Apply via DCAid Portal:
🔗 https://njdca-housing.dynamics365portals.us/en-US/dcaid-services/
PSE&G Energy Assistance:
🔗 https://nj.myaccount.pseg.com/myserviceandbilling/assistanceprograms
Atlantic City Electric Assistance Programs:
🔗 https://www.atlanticcityelectric.com/MyAccount/CustomerSupport/Pages/AssistancePrograms.aspx
JCP&L Assistance:
🔗 https://www.firstenergycorp.com/billassist/
Housing
New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA):
🔗 https://www.njhousing.gov/
HUD New Jersey:
🔗 https://www.hud.gov/states/new_jersey
Homelessness Prevention & Rental Help:
🔗 https://www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/dhcr/offices/hpp.html
One-stop referrals
2-1-1 New Jersey:
🔗 https://www.nj211.org/
Community Action Agencies Directory:
🔗 https://www.njcommunityaction.org/
Legal Help
Legal Services of New Jersey:
🔗 https://www.lsnj.org/
Volunteer Lawyers for Justice:
🔗 https://www.vljnj.org/
New Jersey State Bar Foundation Legal Education:
🔗 https://njsbf.org/
Disability Rights New Jersey:
🔗 https://www.drnj.org/
Crafted by JobsInMyState.com in support of fellow Americans.