Assistance for Single Moms in New Jersey

Single moms can receive help and assistance in all cities and counties across the state of New Jersey. Assistance programs aid with free food, housing costs, rent, energy bills, mortgages, free health care, and more.

Food Stamp Program
Eligible low-income single moms and families are enabled to receive cash benefits to help pay for food by the New Jersey administered Federal Food Stamp program. Eligibility is determined by the County Welfare Agency. For more information about eligibility and benefits, please call the Food Stamp Hotline at 800-792-9773.

New Jersey School Breakfast and Lunch Program
Funding is provided to schools so that they can offer a nutritious breakfast to students each day by the School Breakfast Program. By providing nutritious school meals every day, the goal of the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is to protect the health and well-being of the nation’s children by providing funding that makes it possible for schools to offer a nutritious school lunch. You must be a parent or primary caregiver responsible for a child(ren) who attends school (high school or under) and a resident of the state to be eligible for this program. Call the Bureau of Child Nutrition Programs at 609-984-0692 for more information.

New Jersey Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
Low-income pregnant, breastfeeding postpartum women and single moms, infants and children up to the age of 5 who are determined to be at nutritional risk can receive supplemental foods, nutrition education and referrals to health care, at no cost, from the New Jersey Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Services. Call the WIC agency for more information at 866-446-5942.

New Jersey Summer Food Service
Free, nutritious meals and snacks are provided with the help of the New Jersey Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) to children in low-income areas get the nutrition they need throughout the summer months when they are out of school. A central site, such as a school, park, low-income housing complex, community center, or camp, are locations where sponsors will provide free meals to a group of children. 609-292-4498 for more information.

New Jersey Head Start
Head Start is a Federal program that aims to enhance the cognitive, emotional, and social development of children from birth to age five from low income families making sure they are school ready. Language, literacy, and social and emotional development are some area where the program can support a child’s growth. The role of parents is emphasized by the program as their child’s first and most important teacher. To find a Head Start or Early Head Start program near you, call 866-763-6481.

Housing Choice Voucher Program
Helping income-eligible participants afford safe, healthy homes in their community, the Section 8 Housing Choice voucher Program is the federal government’s major program. The program allows single moms to choose a home, including the one they already live in, and use a voucher to obtain rental assistance.

Credit Services
Credit counseling and non-profit housing organizations offer help to New Jersey single moms to eliminate their medical and credit card debts. Assistance with home loans and foreclosure services are other forms of help that many centers will provide. To contact the National Foundation for Credit Counseling call 800-388-2227.

Financial Assistance
Single moms can turn to the Salvation Army for cash assistance, a leading nonprofit organization that has centers throughout the whole state of New Jersey. Case management and referrals are provided alongside funds for paying rent, heating bills, food, and other expenses.

Medicaid
Federally-funded health insurance programs for certain groups of low and moderate income people are administered by the Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services (DMAHS). More than 600,000 very low-income single moms, parents, children and people who are aged, blind or disabled can receive health insurance from the entitlement program that is the New Jersey Medicaid. The program covers hospital, prescription drug, doctor, nursing home and many other healthcare benefits. 800-356-1561 for more information.

New Jersey FamilyCare (NJFC)
Single moms can get affordable health care coverage for their uninsured children with the help of the federal and state funded health insurance program, New Jersey FamilyCare (NJFC). It is not a welfare program. Hard-working families who cannot afford to pay the high cost of private health insurance are the ones who NJFC seeks to help. When determining eligibility, assets are not taken into consideration. Many if not all of your child’s health care needs can be covered by the comprehensive health insurance program that the NJFC provides. Services include:
Preventive health care, Physician services, Emergency medical care, Prescription drugs, Inpatient hospital services, Outpatient hospital services, Preventive health care, Laboratory services, Eyeglasses, Dental services in most cases, Emergency transportation, Mental health services. For information call 800-701-0710.

Legal Assistance
Free legal support on civil matters can be provided by several pro-bono law firms in New Jersey to single mothers across the state. A review on your rights on housing, taxes and other matter can be done by meeting with an attorney. In order to contact the Legal Services of New Jersey for help with legal issues, please call 888-576-5529.

Unemployment Insurance
If eligibility requirements are met, financial assistance is provided through Unemployment Insurance benefits to workers unemployed through no fault of their own. You must have worked in New Jersey during the past 12 to 18 months and have earned at least a minimum amount of wages, in order to qualify for this benefit program. For further questions, please call 609-292-7162.

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
Low-income single moms and families can get help with meeting their home heating and medically necessary cooling costs from the New Jersey Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Energy crisis intervention and low cost residential weatherization and other energy related home repairs can be covered with the funds provided by LIHEAP. Call the Hotline for more information at 800-510-3102.