NJ Resource: August 2011

I know-the dreaded word-WELFARE!! But do not be ashamed or emabarressed. The social services in NJ is there to help you out. Remember, although the workers can at times be rude and seem to be unhelpful, they are overloaded with cases, and I am sure it is fustrating to know that they want to help some people but they cant. Here are some helpful hints to make the trip to your local social service office a little less painful-for you and your worker.
I have what I call my HELP ME packet and I make sure that I bring it with me whenever I need to apply for any type of assistance. Heres what I ALWAYS bring with me-

Copy or Lease/Mortgage
Copies of all current utility bills
Copies all all birth certificates of everyone living in the home
Copies of all social sercurity cards of everyone living in the home
Copy of current monthly pay stubs or unemployment payment records
Copy of all childcare bills
Copy of all current or past due medical bills that have not been covered by insurance (if you are lucky to have it)

When going to social services these are ALL the documents you will need to complete your applications. I can almost promise you that your worker or person that is processing your application will not only appreciate you being prepared, they will be nicer and more willing to expidite your application. In monmouth county the office has 30 days to process your paperwork and make a determination so it is not wise to harrass your worker with phone calls before the full 30 days have passed, and remember always be nice when you are asking-being pushy will not get you anywhere!

These are the things that you can apply for (there might be more):

Food Stamps
GA (general assistance-money for those without kids)
TANF (temp. assistance for needy families-money for those with kids)
Emergency Housing Assistance
Health Insurance
Child Care

Here are the web address' for the county websites-I always like to make an appointment so you do not have to wait too long at the office. You can usually pre-qualify online (sorry they are not in alphabetical order.)

Monmouth County: http://www.co.monmouth.nj.us/page.aspx?ID=163
Middlesex County: http://middlesexcwa.newark.rutgers.edu/
Union County: http://www.co.union.nc.us/HumanServices/SocialServices.aspx
Essex County: http://www.co.essex.ny.us/DSS.asp
Passaic County: http://www.pcbss.org/
Hunterdon County: http://www.co.hunterdon.nj.us/depts/social/socserv.htm
Bergan County: http://bcbss.com/
Atlantic County: http://www.aclink.org/
Burlington County: http://www.bcbss.org/
Camden County: http://www.camdencounty.com/government/offices-departments/board-social-services
Cape May: http://www.co.cape-may.nj.us/Cit-e-Access/webpage.cfm?TID=5&TPID=656
Cumberland County: http://www.co.cape-may.nj.us/Cit-e-Access/webpage.cfm?TID=5&TPID=656
Gloucester County: http://www.co.gloucester.nj.us/Government/Departments/SocialServices/main.cfm
Hudson County: http://www.hudsoncountynj.org/
Mercer County: http://www.state.nj.us/counties/mercer/commissions/social/
Morris County: http://www.co.morris.nj.us/services/humanservices.asp
Ocean County: http://www.co.ocean.nj.us/SocialServices/MainPage.aspx
Salem County: http://scbssnj.org/
Somerset County: http://www.socialservices.co.somerset.nj.us/
Sussex County: http://www.sussex.nj.us/Cit-e-Access/webpage.cfm?TID=7&TPID=994
Warren County: http://www.co.warren.nj.us/Humanservices/Index.html

NJ Resource

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

NJ Resource: Social Services

Monday, August 15, 2011

Social Services

It's Been a Long Time!