Money Assistance New Jersey – Help paying bills, rent, loans & more

Are you going through some financial issues and can use a bit of help? Learn about the different financial assistance programs which are provided throughout New Jersey. Get help across a range of support programs which include; loans, bill assistance, advice, counselling and more. Below is a list of some of the types of services that are available.

Below are multiple ways to get financial help in New Jersey. Services that include help paying bills, rent, food/groceries, personal loans, debt relief and as mentioned various government benefits and support agencies across Newark, Jersey City, Paterson and all other cities in New Jersey.

Social Security Loans (SSI)
Many residents living in New Jersey collecting Social Security may qualify for more financial assistance through SSI. For those whose only income is Social Security and you are in need of a loan, there may be specialist lenders who will assist. Learn more about SSI and other social security loan options here.

Assistance with Utilities: If you need help keeping your home warm during the winter, you may qualify for help through the New Jersey Low Income Energy Assistance Program. The program is federally funded and provides assistance with energy bills. Households who qualify for LIHEAP cannot have their utilities shut off during the winter. Additionally, you could get money to help pay your bill or pay for fuel. You can also apply for help through the Universal Service Fund, Temporary Relief for Utility Expense and Comfort Partners. A family of 4 must make less than $3,975 per month.

Food Assistance: Families with a low income may qualify for food assistance through the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly called Food Stamps. The program offers a monthly stipend for food purchases. Residents may also qualify for assistance through the Women, Infant and Children (WIC) program which offers monthly checks for food and educational resources. Additionally, families with school-aged children may qualify for free or reduced lunch for their children through the school district. If you can’t get help through those programs, you can check out any of the Food Pantries in New Jersey for help.

Loan Assistance: If you need help with a loan to assist with unexpected household expenses there are a range of options available to you which don’t include expensive micro loans such as payday loans. Learn about the range of low income loans provided by some banks, credit unions and non-profits - Learn more here

Rent and Mortgage: Residents who need help paying for rent may qualify for Section 8 subsidized housing. The program offers reduced-rate apartments for qualifying families. In addition families can get help through the State Rental Assistance Program and the Homelessness Prevention Program.

Medical Assistance: New Jersey residents can get help with medical coverage through the state Medicaid program. The program offers free health insurance coverage to low-income families. If you don’t qualify for Medicaid and have children at home, they may be able to get affordable health insurance through CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program). In addition, residents can get free or reduced medical services at free clinics across the state.

Educational Assistance: Future college students may qualify for educational assistance through the Federal Pell Grant program, which offers free grants to qualifying students. Students must attend school full-time to qualify. Students can get more information about loans, grants and scholarships through the New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority. Families with small children can get help with early education through the Head Start program.

Community Action Centers: If you need additional help applying for services or emergency help, you can get assistance through the New Jersey Designated Community Action Agency. These agencies offer educational resources, help with applying for housing, food and medical expenses and resources for finding jobs.

Charities: According to Wallethub, New Jersey is one of the least giving states ranking at number 47 out of 50. Despite its low ranking, there are plenty of places to get the support you need. You can find help through public and private charities like the American Children’s Society, Making Days Brighter, Mercer Street Friends and Precious Pearl Inc. For more information on local charities, check out the Charity Vault.

Learn more about free items and other money assistance services in New Jersey, including: Free clothes, furniture, car, school accessories, help with fines, seasonal items & more!
The below services are in general and may not be available in New Jersey. However, if not available, many may have partnerships with other organizations through out the state that they can connect you with.

Free Hotel or Motel Vouchers for the Homeless or Emergencies
Those experiencing hardship and are without a roof over their head can access different types of short and possibly longer term accommodation throughout New Jersey. Learn more about accommodation assistance in here.

Dealing with tickets or fines
If you have unpaid tickers or fines, avoiding them will only create further financial and credit problems. Learn about ways to get assistance with dealing with fines in New Jersey, from requesting a waiver or challenging inaccurate fines. Get the information you need to tackle fines here.

How to get a free laptop or computer
Low income families have a range of organizations that provide free technology assistance such as computers and laptops throughout the country including New Jersey. Learn about what free computers and laptop organizations are near you and how to apply here.

Getting a free or low cost car
At any given time there are different organizations that assist low income earners with transportation. Across the country and in New Jersey there are different services that assist people with getting a vehicle. Learn more about free cars, how to get one and where to apply.

How to get free gas for emergencies
Gas prices in New Jersey like most of the country are extremely high. This can put serious pressure on the family budget. For those dealing with cashflow issues and finding it hard to put fuel in the car, there is help. Learn how to get free gas for emergencies through free gas vouchers.