New Jersey Resources
To find out about key benefits and services in New Jersey and how to apply, select from the topics below.
Key State Contacts
- State Refugee Coordinator
Patrick Barry
The SRC maintains key relationships for the RRP, including with IRC-NJOR and Resettlement Agencies (RAs) to ensure effective partnership, information sharing, collaboration, and complementary efforts. Maintains up-to-date knowledge of national and NJ data trends for RRP program implementation. Liaises with state agencies to ensure access to state programs and resources for ORR-eligible populations.
- State Refugee Health Coordinator
Norman Goldhecht
The SRHC coordinates and implement the state’s Refugee Health Program and access to Domestic Medical Screenings for new arrivals to receive a comprehensive screening examination and appropriate follow-up or referrals.
Local Resettlement Agencies
Counties Served: Essex, Morris, Warren, Sussex, Hunterdon, Hudson
Phone: (862) 704-2300
Phone: (201) 407-7713
Phone: (908) 290-5496
Counties served: Hudson, Bergen, Passaic
Phone: (201) 659-0467
Counties served: Middlesex, Mercer, Monmouth, Atlantic, Burlington, Ocean, Gloucester, Salem, Cape May, Cumberland, Camden
Phone: (732) 357-0590
Private Sponsor Organizations are local, regional, and national organizations that recruit, support, and oversee private sponsor groups as they prepare for, receive, and guide refugee newcomers arriving through the Welcome Corps. Organizations may be locally based or work in coordination with local partners or local networks. PSOs coach Private Sponsor Groups in carrying out core private sponsorship services, including making connections with local community organizations and services. They also support Private Sponsor Groups in navigating the sponsorship process, including group dynamics and supporting refugees from diverse experiences and backgrounds. Learn more about the role of Private Sponsor Organizations here.
National-level PSOs
Cash & Food Assistance
Online application to get the support you and your family needs with food, cash, and childcare assistance.
Cash assistance available to residents who enter the U.S. under humanitarian protection with low incomes
Federal nutrition program
Cash assistance designed to help low-income families achieve self-sufficiency.
A program provides monthly payments to adults and children with a disability or blindness who have income and resources below specific financial limits. SSI payments are also made to people age 65 and older without disabilities who meet the financial qualifications.
A program offering supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition information to low-income women who are pregnant or have children aged birth to five
The County Boards of Social Services offers a variety of services and programs. You can apply for NJ SNAP food assistance and cash assistance in your county.
Refugee & Newcomer Health
A Domestic Medical Screening is a comprehensive exam of all family members’ physical and emotional health to address any health issues as a new arrival starts their new life in the US. The New Jersey Refugee Health Program trains health care providers who do these appointments to provide the best care possible to newcomers. The screening typically takes two appointments and includes a variety of labs and immunizations. The health care providers will also refill medication, help ensure newcomers have a primary doctor, and make referrals for newcomers to access specialty doctors as needed.
Send an email to NJRefugeeProgram@dhs.nj.gov or call (609) 633-7720 to be connected with a health center providing Domestic Medical Screenings near you.
NJ FamilyCare – New Jersey’s publicly funded health insurance program – includes CHIP, Medicaid and Medicaid expansion populations. That means qualified NJ residents of any age may be eligible for free or low-cost healthcare coverage that covers doctor visits, prescriptions, vision, dental care, mental health and substance use services, and even hospitalization.
Persons with Disabilities
The Division of Disability Services (DDS) provides a single point-of-entry for people seeking disability related information in New Jersey. DDS serves individuals with all disabilities, statewide.
The Division of Developmental Disabilities assures the opportunity for individuals with developmental disabilities to receive quality services and supports, participate meaningfully in their communities and exercise their right to make choices.
Provides information and referral services to people with disabilities and their families, who are seeking help locating appropriate resources in their communities. The Division also is responsible for overseeing various Medicaid home-and community-based waiver programs that are designed to help people with disabilities live as independently as possible.
Provides education, advocacy and direct services to eliminate barriers and promote increased accessibility to programs, services, and information routinely available to the state’s general population. If you are a deaf or hard of hearing person and are experiencing barriers to services and programs, DDHH has a deaf language advocacy program, staffed by deaf and hard of hearing specialists, that can advocate for you in a variety of ways.
This agency’s mission is to promote and provide services in the areas of education, employment, independent living and eye health through informed choice and partnership with persons who are blind or visually impaired, their families and the community.
The Fund is a financial assistance program for New Jersey Families with potentially catastrophic medical expenses due to a child’s illness or condition.
Seniors
Medicare is health insurance for people 65 or older. You’re first eligible to sign up for Medicare 3 months before you turn 65.
1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227)
Administers a number of federal and state-funded programs that make it easier for older adults to live in the community as long as possible with independence, dignity and choice.
Phone: 1-877-222-3737
The Social Security program in the United States provides protection against the loss of earnings due to retirement, death, or disability.
Children's Health
Works with the child’s parents, physician, and/or specialists to evaluate a child’s strengths and needs and collaborates with the family and community-based partners to develop an individual service plan (ISP) for the child and family.
Phone: (609) 777-7778
Helps new parents with children under 12 months old who are on Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) improve their parenting skills and encourage their child’s well-being and healthy development.
The Fund is a financial assistance program for New Jersey Families with potentially catastrophic medical expenses due to a child’s illness or condition.
Phone: (609) 292-0600
Mental Health
988 provides 24/7 access to trained crisis counselors.
Call or text 988.
NAMI New Jersey (NAMI NJ) is a statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness.
Phone: (732) 940-0991
National resource under the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that provides resources to those in need who are suffering from mental illness or substance abuse.
Phone: 800-662-HELP (4357)
Provides comprehensive, recovery-focused integrated primary care, mental health care, and substance abuse rehabilitation services throughout Northern New Jersey.
Phone: (201) 262-4357
NJ 211 provides live assistance 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Our services are free, confidential and multilingual. Our specialists have access to a resource database of over 6,600 community programs and services that assist people who need help with life’s most basic needs like food, utilities, affordable housing, rental assistance, mental and physical health, substance use disorders, childcare, senior needs, legal assistance, transportation, and disability services.
Dental Health
Dental clinic directory provided by the New Jersey Department of Health Division of Community Health Services
Vision Health
NJ FamilyCare – New Jersey’s publicly funded health insurance program – includes CHIP, Medicaid and Medicaid expansion populations. That means qualified NJ residents of any age may be eligible for free or low-cost healthcare coverage that covers doctor visits, prescriptions, vision, dental care, mental health and substance use services, and even hospitalization.
The Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CBVI) provides education, employment, independent living and eye health services to individuals who are blind or visually impaired, their families, caregivers and the community.
Phone: (973) 648-3333
Finding Housing
The NJHRC is a free online searchable registry of affordable and accessible housing units throughout the State of New Jersey, including:
– Affordable Rental Housing
– Affordable For-sale Housing
– Housing with Accessibility Features
Assistance with Housing Costs
New Jersey residents experiencing homelessness can call 2-1-1 for help. NJ 2-1-1 will work in partnership with county agencies to ensure residents have a safe place to stay and get connected to resources. NJ 2-1-1 operators will be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and accessible in different languages for non-English speakers. Information provided by the callers will be kept confidential, except for information that must be shared with providers involved in providing shelter or shelter-related services.
Call 2-1-1 for a list of agencies in your county.
Provides housing subsidies on behalf of very low-income New Jersey residents, for decent, safe, and sanitary housing. Persons applying must meet all applicable SRAP income and eligibility requirements.
Phone: (609) 292-4080
The Home Energy Assistance Program helps very low-income residents with their heating and cooling bills and makes provisions for emergency heating system services and emergency fuel assistance within the Home Energy Assistance Program.
The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program is a federally funded program that provides housing subsidies to New Jersey residents, so that they can obtain decent, safe, and sanitary housing.
Phone: (609) 292-4080
Provides assistance to families and individuals who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless but are not eligible for Work First NJ (usually because income is too high). The program provides emergency food, emergency shelter, and payment of security or utility deposits as well as back rent, mortgage and utilities costs. These services, also include referral services and limited case management.
Housing Advocacy
Responsible for enforcing the NJLAD and the NJFLA by investigating claims of discrimination in employment, housing, and places of public accommodation (schools, stores, parks)
Housing Counseling
HUD sponsors housing counseling agencies throughout the country to provide free or low-cost advice.
Phone: (800) 569-4287
Renter Rights
Landlord-Tenant Information forms and publications available from this website are intended to assist both residential landlords and tenants to understand their rights and responsibilities. The principal publication is Truth in Renting, which is available in both English and Spanish. Landlords are required to distribute Truth in Renting to their tenants.
Phone: (609) 292-7899
HUD handles complaints about housing discrimination, bad landlords in federal housing and many other issues. For additional local resources, you can also contact a housing counseling agency.
Homelessness Prevention & Assistance
Coordinates efforts to prevent homelessness among State and local agencies and private organizations that provide services to persons who are homeless or at risk for homelessness.
A state funded program that provides housing subsidies on behalf of very low-income New Jersey residents, for decent, safe, and sanitary housing.
Employment
An important coalition of leading organizations to help connect refugees with new career opportunities in the United States.
The Matching Grant program helps refugees and other ORR-eligible populations overcome barriers and quickly find jobs. The intent is for refugees to become economically self-sufficient through employment within 240 days and without accessing cash assistance programs.
New Jersey’s One-Stop Career Centers offer the most services and provide the most direction for jobseekers. They are staffed with qualified employment counselors to provide guidance for jobseekers. Other services offered at these locations include job search assistance, training and education assistance, specialized services, and on-site resource rooms (PCs, telephones, etc.).
Job Source is an interactive application that offers a wide array of features, resources and solutions to aid job seekers in their career and workforce development needs.
Documentation
Information and resources about obtaining a driver’s license or state ID
Provide Social Security Numbers and administer retirement, disability, survivor, and family benefits, and enroll individuals in Medicare
Language
Phone: (908) 290-5496
Counties served: Hudson, Bergen, Passaic
Phone: (201) 659-0467
Counties served: Middlesex, Mercer, Monmouth, Atlantic, Burlington, Ocean, Gloucester, Salem, Cape May, Cumberland, Camden
Phone: (732) 357-0590
Counties served: Essex, Morris, Warren, Sussex, Hunterdon, Hudson
Phone: (201) 407-7713
Serving Essex county
Phone: (973) 674-6330
Serves all of New Jersey
Childcare
The state’s childcare program can support you with information about applying for childcare assistance, licensing information, a search to find childcare and inspection reports and information on what makes a quality program.
Enter your information to find out what you may qualify for
Under contract to the NJ Department of Human Services, Division of Family Development, the Child Care Resource & Referral agencies, or CCR&Rs, administer the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) which helps income-eligible parents who are in school or working to pay for child care.
Early Childhood Education
- Head Start Center Locator (U.S. Health and Human Services Administration for Children & Families)
Find a Head Start location near you
The Head Start program (for children from birth to age 5) and Early Head Start program (for pregnant women, infants, and toddlers) promote school readiness for children in low-income families by providing comprehensive educational, health, nutritional, and social services.
K-12 Education
Free public education from kindergarten through grade 12 is provided for all students in the United States.
Providing educators, families, and other stakeholders with the technical assistance, professional learning in evidence-based practices, and access to instructional materials and resources necessary for students with IEPs to achieve the goals established for all New Jersey students.
Adult Education
The New Jersey Department of Education’s (NJDOE) mission is to serve the needs of adult learners and youth (aged 16 and over) in attaining their state-issued high-school diploma in order to achieve their educational, career, and personal goals.
HESAA provides New Jersey students and families with the financial and informational resources for students to pursue their education beyond high school.
Legal
The primary mission of the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) is to adjudicate immigration cases by fairly, expeditiously, and uniformly interpreting and administering the nation’s immigration laws.
Search for recognized organizations and accredited representatives by state and city.
Welcome Corps
Employment
Labor Standards will help you file a wage claim to resolve cases of unpaid wages.
Phone: (609) 292-3658
NJ has its own division of Public Safety and Occupational Safety and Health. Employees have the right to file complaints about workplace safety and health hazards.
Phone: (609) 633-2587
The Workers’ Compensation Division oversees and administers the workers’ compensation system in New Jersey.
Phone: (609) 292-2515
Public Safety
Government office offering resources for legal rights and public protection in New Jersey
Phone: (877) 658-2221 or (973) 648-2107
The Directory of Crime Victim Services helps users locate victim services in the United States and other countries.
Violence, Human Trafficking, and Exploitation
The New Jersey Domestic Violence Hotline provides confidential access to domestic violence information and services, including crisis intervention, referral, and advocacy.
Phone: 1-800-572-SAFE (7233)
The Unit’s goals are to:
– Train and assist law enforcement in methods of identifying victims and signs of trafficking in order to disrupt and interdict this activity
– Coordinate statewide efforts in the identification and provision of services to victims of human trafficking
– Increase the successful interdiction and prosecution of trafficking of human persons
Phone: (855) END-NJ-HT (855-363-6548)
DOW provides funding to domestic violence programs to provide direct services to victims and survivors of domestic violence.
Adult & Child Abuse
Adult Protective Services (APS) programs have been established in each county in New Jersey to receive and investigate reports of suspected abuse, neglect, and exploitation of vulnerable adults living in community settings.
Phone: (609) 588-6501
- Child Abuse Hotline (NJ State Central Registry)
Any person having reasonable cause to believe that a child has been abused or neglected has a legal responsibility to report it to the NJ Division of Child Protection and Permanency (formerly DYFS).
Phone: 1-877-NJ-ABUSE (652-2873)
Mental Health
988 provides 24/7 access to trained crisis counselors.
Call or text 988.
NAMI New Jersey (NAMI NJ) is a statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness.
Phone: (732) 940-0991
National resource under the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that provides resources to those in need who are suffering from mental illness or substance abuse.
Phone: 800-662-HELP (4357)
Provides comprehensive, recovery-focused integrated primary care, mental health care, and substance abuse rehabilitation services throughout Northern New Jersey.
Phone: (201) 262-4357
NJ 211 provides live assistance 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Our services are free, confidential and multilingual. Our specialists have access to a resource database of over 6,600 community programs and services that assist people who need help with life’s most basic needs like food, utilities, affordable housing, rental assistance, mental and physical health, substance use disorders, childcare, senior needs, legal assistance, transportation, and disability services.
Transition
The Refugee Resettlement Program is implemented in partnership with the local designated resettlement agencies and community-based organizations, providing financial assistance, case management, including ESL and employment services.
If you currently reside in New Jersey and are a refugee, you may be eligible for Refugee Support Services (RSS), Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA), or other programs and services.
Please reach out to a service provider near you to find out more.
Counties served: Hudson, Bergen, Passaic
Phone: (201) 659-0467
Phone: (908) 290-5496
Counties served: Middlesex, Mercer, Monmouth, Atlantic, Burlington, Ocean, Gloucester, Salem, Cape May, Cumberland, Camden
Phone: (732) 357-0590
Counties served: Essex, Morris, Warren, Sussex, Hunterdon, Hudson
Phone: (201) 407-7713
Local Resource Search
The resources in this map are collected via desk research and submissions from agency contacts and community sponsors. While we work to ensure the information provided is up-to-date and accurate, please use the buttons below to submit a new service connection or request an edit to an existing entry.
This local resource map was developed with funding from Switchboard.