Bergen County assistance programs.

Locate help paying energy bills, health care, and other expenses.

The Bergen County Community Action Partnership (BCCAP) offers Hackensack and Bergen County New Jersey families with various options and resources to help them with bills, debts, and other expenses. Some of the programs, and contact information, is below.

New Jersey Weatherization Assistance Program

This is a nationwide, federal government funded program that assists both homeowners and tenants in improving the energy efficiency of their homes and lowering their heating and utility bills. Funding for this energy saving program comes from the State and Federal Governments and is administered by local charities and community action agencies. Most of the updates done to homes is free to the homeowner.

In the Bergen County area, the weatherization program is run by the BCCAP. This community action agency agency program provides services and improvements for several hundred households every year. And over the past 15 years, the the agency has made over 5,000 houses energy-efficient, safe, and dry for low-income families, all at no cost to the homeowner. The program provides free weather-stripping and free insulation to income-eligible families.

The process work as follows. A technician will make an appointment and visit your home. They will check your water heater and heating system,  then examine the oven and stove. Then a blower door device will be setup in your residence and the home will be inspected for air leakage or other improvements. When all is said and done the audit program will suggest the necessary adjustments needed to make your home more comfortable and energy efficient.

Depending upon the results of the free energy audit, repairs might include attic insulation and basement perimeters, installation of weather-stripping and/or caulking around doors and windows, or other minor repairs to ensure optimum energy efficiency. All of this is free to the homeowner, and it can save the homeowner several hundred dollars per year in lower energy bills.

Utility Bills, Housing aid and Low Income Home Energy Assistance

All of these services are also offered by BCCAP. Phone 201-968-0200

• Bergen County Community Action Partnership now also administers Bergen County's Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Through this (what was formerly called H.E.A.P. program)  low-income individuals and families can receive financial assistance and government grants to help pay high-energy bills. Last year over 8,000 Hackensack and Bergen County residents were provided energy bill assistance. Some of the other heating and energy bill programs offered are.
   
• Water Bills - United Water Cares provides people with assistance if they need temporary help in paying their water bills.

 

 

 

• Universal Service Fund (USF) - This is a program that was created by the State of NJ to help make energy bills more affordable for low-income utility customers.
   
• NJ SHARES - This program provides year-round energy bill assistance to families and individuals who need  temporary, short term help in paying their energy bills. Funding for this state program is provided from the NJ Board of Public Utilities. The SHARES program stands for the Statewide Heating Assistance and Referral for Energy Services. It is a non-profit, 501 (c) (3) corporation that was organized to provide assistance through a statewide, year-round independent energy fund. People need to apply to this program and be qualified.
   
• Verizon Offers New Jersey's Communication Lifeline provides assistance with phone service and paying for phone bills, including cellular phone bills, and it is available to income-eligible clients.
   
• Heating and summer cooling bills - Contact the United Way for financial assistance. The organization administers the Warm Homes Program (for winter heating bills) and the Cool Homes Program (for summer air conditioning bills). Contact the United Way 201-291-4050.
   
• Rental assistance - If you are facing an emergency, the Bergen County Community Action Partnership, Inc. may be able to provide you funds to prevent an eviction. Or locate other programs that provide rent assistance.

 

 

Health Care Clinics and Centers

Offers free or discounted health care, prescription drugs, and more to residents of Hackensack and Bergen County. A Bilingual medical staff deliver the finest in comprehensive check ups and health care services to the people of Garfield, Hackensack, Bergen County and surrounding communities. Click here to find additional free health care programs.

Services at this clinic include Adult Medicine, Pediatrics, Dentistry, and Women's Health. For an appointment at the clinic, call 973-340-1182. Walk-ins are also welcome and can receive health care services.

The Bergen County Community Action Partnership, Inc. (BCCAP) is located at 241 Moore Street
Hackensack, NJ, and the phone number is 201-968-0200.

Locate a job

The Bergen County United Way has partnered with local agencies and employes to help people find a job. They run the Back to Work Program. It offers job search support, including resume feedback, career advice, resume submission services, and other advice. 201-291-4050.

Rent Assistance

The Housing First Program is offered by the United Way (201-291-4050) and it provides grants and other forms of financial assistance to low income and other qualified families. Receive money for rent, security deposits, and other aid.

The Housing Authority of Bergen County ((201) 336 - 6490) can offer short term, temporary financial assistance with paying for rent, security deposit and heating and utility bill assistance.

Several other homeless prevention programs operate in the region. Get money to pay rent to  avoid an eviction, or funds to pay a security deposit. More on Bergen County rent assistance.

Financial assistance for bills, rent, free food, and other aid

Center for Food Action in Carlstadt is a Bergen County non-profit that provides the needy with food packages, rent, utility and heating bills assistance, and security deposits. The agency is also a participant in NJ Shares. Last, but not least, special holiday food assistance is available at Thanksgiving only. Dial (201) 933 - 4268. They also have locations in Englewood, Elmwood Park, Hackensack, and Fairview New Jersey.

Division of Community Development - Bergen County runs the Homeless Prevention and Rapid Rehousing Program (HPRP), which is a federal government funded program that provides emergency rent assistance to people facing an eviction. Dial (201) 3367225

Bergen County resources and programs that also help people anywhere in New Jersey

Get information on financial assistance programs and services that can help people across New Jersey, including Bergen County and Hackensack.

• New Jersey HUD foreclosure counseling
• New Jersey Section 8 housing programs
• New Jersey mortgage help and foreclosure assistance
• New Jersey medical debts
• New Jersey heating and utility bill help
• New Jersey free legal advice
• New Jersey free community clinics
• Assistance with dental needs from clinics. Read more.

Debt reduction, counseling and bankruptcy advice

Consumer Credit Counseling Service of New Jersey offers qualified individuals with confidential budget advice, debt assistance and credit counseling. They may be able to enter people into a low cost debt Management Program that will assist clients in formal plan to repay debts, whether credit card or medical. In addition seminars on credit/budgeting are available. Dial (888) 726 - 3260. Click here to find other New Jersey debt programs that help with medical bills.

 

 

Foreclosure counseling and mortgage assistance

In addition to the debt programs mentioned above, Consumer Credit Counseling of NJ also offers housing programs including Housing Counseling & Reverse Mortgage Counseling including Foreclosure, Mortgage Default & Delinquency, pre-purchase & rental counseling. Find additional New Jersey mortgage programs.

Emergency food and pantries in Bergen County

A few of the leading food banks are below. Or get an extensive listing of more Bergen County food pantries.

Community Pantry is an independent food pantry that is open to Rutherford New Jersey residents. Dial (201) 460 - 3000.

Holy Trinity is a Hackensack based food pantry. Phone number (201) 343 - 5170.

The needy can call Our Lady of Mercy Church at (973) 887 - 0050 for food and groceries.