Public assistance and government aid in Monmouth County.
Government assistance and public aid in Monmouth County ranges from items such as basic needs and housing to longer term support including employment assistance and education services. While most of the government benefits are targeted at the very low income, seniors, and disabled, the county social service office may be able to help and provide solutions to others.
Cash assistance may be offered from a few different resources. For those that are unemployed or work part-time, some public resources available may include General Assistance (GA), TANF, or some other short term, public assistance payments.
U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Stamp Program is available in Monmouth County. The Division of Social Services processes applications. This is for low income families, the disabled and elderly as well. The amount of benefits provided to families will be based on the thrifty Food Plan. This is an estimate of how much it costs to buy groceries to prepare nutritious low-cost meals.
Children may be able to benefit from the School Breakfast Program and the National School Lunch Program. This is offered by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). It will ensure that students receive the nutrition they need while in school. 609-984-0692.
Other public and government food programs include Women, Infants and Children, which is for low income, "nutritionally at risk" participants. Formula, food, and vouchers may be offered for pregnant, non-breastfeeding postpartum or breastfeeding women in Monmouth County. The supplemental nutritious foods and nutrition education is available at local WIC clinics. 732-471-9301
Local non-profit resources include Meals-on-Wheels. This is offered by regional groups such as the Salvation Army and it provides low cost, delivered meals for homebound seniors. Meals are also provided to the elderly at different congregate meals sites throughout Monmouth County. Other non-profit resources include groceries from the FoodBank of Monmouth County as well as meals and food from soup kitchens and pantries.
Public health care, insurance and medical assistance is available. Some components and options are below.
Medicaid is the counties and nations’ largest medical entitlement program. It provides public health insurance for certain groups of very low-income Americans. Depending on exact conditions and your situation, Medicaid may pay for bills such as hospital costs, doctor visits, prescription medications, nursing home and other healthcare needs.
Uninsured Monmouth County residents may receive help from NJ Family Care. This is a state of New Jersey and federal government funded health insurance program. It can assist uninsured families with paying for affordable and adequate health coverage. It is comprehensive health insurance and addresses a number of needs. Some of the expenses paid for can include laboratory services and physician, preventive health care, emergency medical care, inpatient and outpatient hospital services, prescription drugs, dental care, and more. Call 800-431-6300, or stop by a MCDSS office.
Medically Needy can provide medical benefits to more moderate income people. Money is available for persons whose income and resources are too high to qualify for standard government Medicaid or other public health insurance. Recipients may be individuals who are blind or disabled, pregnant women, dependent children under 21 years of age, or persons 65 years of age or older.
Other medical programs in Monmouth County New Jersey are listed below.
- Community Care Program for the Elderly & Disabled, or CCPED, can pay some costs that are incurred in providing home care services. It is for eligible individuals so that they can continue to live in the community rather than in a nursing home.
- Medical Transportation to and from doctors appointments or hospitals is offered. This service is available for appointments NJ Family Care/Medicaid recipients.
- The Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged & Disabled (PAAD) is a prescription assistance program. It will help Monmouth patients pay for needed prescription drugs, insulin, certain diabetic testing materials, insulin needles and syringes. Hearing Aid Assistance to the Aged and Disabled (HAAAD) provides reimbursement for the costs of a hearing aid.
- Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund can offer financial assistance for families whose children have experienced a serious condition or health care issue.
- Immunization Clinic is run by the Monmouth County Division of Social Services. Government funds are used to pay for shots so the assistance is provided for free to those that qualify.
Financial assistance resources are noted below. They can include cash benefits for paying for basic needs, housing, or utility bill help. As an example, home Energy and Heating Bill Assistance is widely available. A number of government grants and public funds can be used to help low income families and help them keep their power on.
The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) as well as USF are usually combined as one to help customers. Both of these resources can help low-income families and individuals meet their home heating needs and to pay for medically necessary cooling costs. Call social services for more details or contact your local Monmouth County community action agency to apply. If you enroll, any benefits or credits will be paid directly to your utility company at not to the household themselves.
New Jersey Shares may also provide assistance to natural gas and electric customers in Monmouth that are unable to pay utility bills. This is an option for those that are facing a disconnection.
Grants and cash aid is offered from Work First New Jersey. This public assistance program offer financial aid and medical bill assistance to families. The main tool to do that is Temporary Assistance to Needy Families / TANF. Single, income qualified adults may be able to receive help from the General Assistance program.
The Kinship navigator Program is another financial resource and it is for people who are raising a relative's child(ren) in their own homes. For example, it could be a grandparent raising a child.
Burial assistance includes funds to help with funeral and burial expenses for indigent individuals as well as recipients of certain programs.
Emergency assistance is an option. This is for county recipients of TANF, GA and SSI. If they meet all conditions, the resident may be eligible for public assistance for housing emergencies, utility deposits, or utility or rent arrears.
Housing services includes counseling, modifications of housing for the mobility impaired and also emergency home repairs for low income households. The local social service office (MCDSS) is also a Public Housing Agency for the HUD Section 8 program.
The disabled in Monmouth County New Jersey may get help in filing for SSDI or contesting a denial of benefits. Legal Services of New Jersey's SSI Project may offer clients with free or low cost legal representation and assistance in the application and appeals process for both SSI and SSDI.
Several housing resources are offered by the Monmouth County Public Housing Agency and also the Division of Social Services. They have been certified and approved by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as a public housing agency.
Some of the other social services and support that may be offered includes the Family Self Sufficiency Program, Housing Choice Vouchers, and case management. While not quite as common, the disabled, seniors, and very low income may qualify for Emergency Home Repair/Barrier Free Program. This can help income qualified homeowners pay for home repair emergencies.
Emergency Assistance units of Monmouth County can provide a number of services to the homeless or those facing imminent eviction. Any aid is only to individuals who are TANF, GA or SSI eligible. Receive access to public rooming/boarding homes and housing search assistance. The county will also undertake intake/screening, placement services, and liaison services to transitional housing sites/shelters. Some people may qualify for Temporary Rental Assistance (TRA)
Other programs include shelter referrals. These will be made for homeless adults, families and youth for temporary emergency placement. One of the main government programs is the Emergency Family Shelter Program, which offers homeless families who are SNAP recipients with temporary housing and/or security deposit for permanent housing. 732-431-6000 is an emergency line.
Child care assistance may be offered for low income recipients of Temporary Assistance to Needy Families. Clients will need to be in an approved work or job training activity and also may be eligible for Transitional Child Care for up to 24 months after discontinuing TANF.
Another program, Head Start, is also offered to children from low income qualified families. Acelero Learning, which runs it for the county, offers education, health screenings and nutritious free meals. Home based services and a summer meal program are also available.
Applications and phone number for Social Services
The main number to call for information on government benefits, public aid and social services is 800-662-3114.
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