Essex County assistance programs.

Get free prescription medications

The City of Newark, New Jersey, has launched the Newark Rx prescription assistance program. Several of America's leading pharmaceutical research and biotechnology companies have partnered with the city to ensure this program is successful in aiding as many individuals as possible. The program was designed to deliver free or heavily discounted medicines to both the uninsured and low to moderate income patients who do not qualify for Medicaid or other government assistance programs.

The Newark Rx plan will target patients with total household incomes at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level, which is equivalent to about $21,660 a year for an individual and $44,100 annually for a family of four.

Many of the patients who will be helped by these medicines will often suffer the debilitating effects of common chronic diseases and because of that it is extremely important that they obtain discounted or free medicines that can either prevent deterioration of their illness to a full-blown disease or help them address medical conditions when they develop.

The Newark Rx plan has been launched to help uninsured and low-income Newark residents obtain their badly needed medications. Ideally for free, but otherwise for as cheaply as possible. Find other ways to get medical bill help.

Another program was also launched. Local politicians applaud the city of Newark as well as the Heinz Family Philanthropies for also launching NewarkHealthPlus to contract with local physicians to create medical homes for the uninsured and underinsured. This assistance program should lead to less reliance on hospital emergency rooms for primary care for thousands of patients. It provides easy access to quality health care. Dial 973-733-7600.

Non-profit community clinics and health centers provide free or low cost medical care to thousands of patients every year. Anyone who needs help can receive some form of assistance. If your income is low enough, or if you meet government poverty thresholds or lack insurance, then you may qualify for free services. Find more Essex NJ clinics.

 

 

 

 

Crisis assistance

There are three primary places to turn to for help. They include:

The Salvation Army of Essex County, New Jersey Division provides short-term emergency financial assistance that can help people with food expenses, utility and heating bills, prescription medications, rent expense, childcare expenses, furniture and clothing. another service provided by the Salvation Army is seasonal assistance with paying for food, toys and clothing. In addition, the Salvation Army also provides shelters, summer camp and disaster services to people who need help. 908-851-9300

Additional Salvation Army locations are at Salvation Army, Montclair, 13 Trinity Pl, Montclair, New Jersey, 07042.

County of Essex Department of Citizen Services. This county run organization provides low income and other needy individuals with a number of valuable emergency assistance programs as well as access to social services to individuals facing a short term hardship or crisis situations. Some of the programs and resources available include. Emergency and Home Energy Assistance (NJ Shares), Heating Bill Assistance, Promotes Homelessness Prevention Programs and Eviction Prevention, Tenant and Landlord support. Dial (973) 395-8350.

The East Orange based Essex County Division of Community Action (phone (973) 395 - 8350) provides services including rental and mortgage assistance, soup kitchen meals, heating and utility bill assistance and other supportive services. They also are part of the NJ Shares program.

Isaiah House is based in East Orange but offers help to Newark and all of Essex County individuals who qualify. People with low income and children may be able to qualify. They can provide help for people who are behind on their monthly rent, those need assistance with paying a security deposit, or are in danger of having their utilities shut off or disconnected. Free food is also distributed. Phone (973) 678 - 5882.

Newark Emergency Services for Families has assistance programs for the working poor, both families and  individuals. The programs they administer include case management around rental assistance, job finding help, relocation, food, clothing, employment, and assistance with public utilities, including electric, water, and gas bills. (800) 696 - 7063

The United Community Corporation also offers assistance.

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Newark – Local churches can serve as the first point of information on assistance for parishioners and other individuals in search of financial assistance for paying bills and counseling. Each center or church is the collaborative link between Catholic Charities for human services, education, action/advocacy, information on grants and assistance programs, empowerment, and outreach activity. In addition, this Parish Access Center houses the NJ Shares Program which helps with electric and utility bills, such as PSE&G, when funds are available. 37 Evergreen Pl, East Orange, New Jersey 07018, (800) 227 - 7413

East Orange Health and Human Services – Provides information, counseling, social services, and help in applying for housing and utility bill help to senior residents of East Orange. In addition, senior citizens can also apply for NJ Shares at this office. 143 New St, East Orange, New Jersey 07017, phone (973) 266 – 8832.

Essex County Division of Welfare - Administers various Social Service and Federal and State Government Assistance Programs. These can include Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), Emergency Assistance, General Assistance, Food Stamps, Utility & Rent Assistance. 18 Rector St, 3rd Floor, Newark, NJ, 07102. Call (973) 733 – 3262.

First Hopewell Multi-Purpose Community Center - Runs the LIHEAP program. This government program for the low income offers funds that can be used for the payment of home oil, kerosene, natural gas, electric heating, and propane bills. 525 Orange St, Newark, New Jersey 07107. Phone number (800) 510 - 3102

Irvington Neighborhood Improvement Consortium – Offers assistance, resources and referral services to guide low income Irvington residents along the path of self-sufficiency. Get help in form of utility assistance, emergency shelter/rental assistance, back rent / mortgage assistance, food, case management, and clothing. 346 Sixteenth Ave, Irvington, NJ, 07111, (973) 416 - 0909

La Casa de Don Pedro - Provides emergency utility and heating assistance to Essex County and Newark residents. Programs include Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) as well as the WAP-Energy conservation program. 317 Roseville Ave, Newark, New Jersey 07104, call (973) 485 – 0701

Montclair Neighborhood Development Corporation – Job training, education, career planning, get help applying for with LIHEAP. 228 Bloomfield Ave, Montclair, New Jersey, 07042, phone (973) 744 - 9094

New Community Corporation – A number of financial assistance programs and services are offered, including: rent help, an employment placement center and vocational training center, housing, neighborhood social services, and counseling. 233 W Market St, Newark, New Jersey, 07103.

 

 

Nutley Family Service Bureau – Apply for emergency free food and/or housing. Individuals may also apply for NJ Shares Program or Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) through this office. 155 Chestnut St, Nutley, NJ, 07110, (973) 667 - 1884

St. James A.M.E. Church – Can offer clothing and/or free food. 604 Dr MLK Blvd, Newark, New Jersey 07102. Call the church at (973) 622 - 1344

Tri-City People's Corporation – This is a federal government HUD-approved housing counseling agency; certified housing and mortgage counselors provide one-on-one counseling for 1st time homebuyers; utility assistance applications; assistance for homeowners who need to prevent foreclosure; HECM/reverse mortgage counseling and workshops; debt reduction/credit counseling and workshops. Address is 55 Washington St, East Orange, NJ, 07017, (973) 675 – 4484.

Eye care

A local non-profit organization called New Eyes for the Needy, Inc. (973-376-4903) is a national organization with a branch in New Jersey that provides vouchers for eye glasses and exams to needy people.

Assistance Programs from the United Community Corporation (UCC)

This is a non-profit agency that offers several different services and resources for people in need. Find a sampling below, and call them at (973) 642-0181.

• Food Assistance/Pantry - They run a food assistance program that was developed to help families and individuals in need of help keep food on their tables. Qualified applicants and eligible families will receive an allocated amount of free food and groceries based on family composition up to twice per  year, so use the program wisely.
   
• Job and career development - UCC’s has an on site resource and employment center that offers job seekers a variety of services to help find and keep a job. The programs range from job readiness and placement programs to providing medical and housing assistance. In addition to referral services and the counseling that is provided, the resource center also has a computer lab available to individuals in need of computer or internet access or resume preparation services.
   
• Mortgage and Rental Assistance - The stimulus plan, formally known as the 2009 American Recovery Reform Stimulus Act, created a housing program to assist homeowners, families and individuals who are experiencing hardships maintain their apartments or homes. The mortgage and rental program also provides direct financial assistance, counseling, financial literacy, referrals and workshops for Newark applicants who qualify for aid.
   
• Help with rent and housing expenses - United Community Corporation of Newark New Jersey also partners with local churches, not-for profits, and government programs to provide housing resources. Get counseling, money to prevent an eviction, and other financial support. More Newark New Jersey rent assistance, which also covers Essex County.

Town of Bloomfield New Jersey assistance programs

People who live in Bloomfield and that may be in danger of having their utility service shutoff or disconnected, and those families and individuals who are in need of food should call Ida Pafundi, Executive Director of The United Way of Bloomfield, at 973-748-1732 to ask how they can get help.

Debt counseling, foreclosure assistance, and mortgage help

Call Consumer Credit Counseling of NJ at (888) 726 - 3260. They run a variety of housing and debt programs, and are a non-profit agency. Services offered include a Debt Management Program as well as Housing Counseling which includes Mortgage Default & Delinquency Advice. Also learn more on New Jersey mortgage programs.

Counselors can also help borrowers deal with debt issues. For example learn about New Jersey debt collection laws and regulations. Counselors can negotiate deals and lower interest rates for borrowers.

 

 

Food pantries and distribution centers in Essex County and Newark

A few food banks, churches, and distribution centers to get groceries from in Essex County NJ are noted here. Click here for location additional locations.

Apostles' House - Based in Newark, and the charity provides families, individuals, seniors, the disabled and veterans with meals and food supplies. Phone (973) 482 - 6609.

Blessed Sacrament can be reached at (973) 824 - 6548.

Clearview Baptist Church Food Pantry offers free food, groceries, and household items to Newark residents. (973) 926 - 0461

Community Food Bank of New Jersey ((908) 355 - 3663) provides food to local pantries, soup kitchens, and other distribution centers.