Community action agencies New Jersey assistance programs

Assistance programs from community action agencies in New Jersey

The state of New Jersey has dozens of non-profit community action agencies that provide rent, utility bill and transportation assistance to the unemployed and low income. Case managers from the organizations listed below can help families improve their quality of life.

Programs can include grants for paying bills such as housing or for day care and also counseling for longer term stability.

Rent, mortgage, and housing assistance from community action

Assistance programs from community action agencies in New Jersey.

Find how to get help from a NJ community action agency.

Community action agency services are intended to empower low income families, seniors, and people who are struggling. A few examples of what can be offered include employment training, cash grants for utility bills or rent, computer literacy, budgeting, credit counseling and more. Many of the services resolve around addressing the causes of poverty or the hardship that a client is facing.

Volunteers and staff members are committed to helping eligible families across the state of New Jersey.

Rent, mortgage, and housing assistance from community action:

Community action agency case management services

Your local community action agency may offer financial help to both homeowners (for a mortgage) and tenants (for rent) in meeting the responsibilities of homeownership and tenancy as well as improving housing conditions.

Or if the organization does not offer this service, they can usually redirect you to other New Jersey HUD certified counseling agencies. Some of the housing services

offered may include information for first time homebuyers, rental delinquency assistance, homebuyer education, pre-occupancy, and home improvement and rehabilitation. A focus is always on foreclosure prevention in New Jersey, so programs can provide mortgage default assistance, risk loss mitigation, and even displacement and relocation if you need to move.

Housing Counseling

includes advocacy with landlords, budgeting, rental delinquency counseling, and housing information. Community action agencies in New Jersey can give referrals to affordable housing and government assistance The: New Jersey Temporary Relief for Utility Expenses Program (TRUE)

provides utility bill assistance for moderate-income households and economically disadvantaged families that are struggling to pay off a past due balance on their gas or electric account.

If you enroll and are qualified, you can receive a grant towards your old bills, which can eliminate them or provide you time to pay off the remainder. Senior Residential Maintenance is offered by some towns and counties. It is usually free for tenants and homeowners who are age 60 or over. An assessment of your home will be done.

If needed, some repairs may be completed too. This can include small home repairs, window repair/caulking, weather stripping for drafty windows and doors, and even updates such as shower chairs.

Employment and education services

is offered in partnership with the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. It will help low income customers conserve energy and therefore save money on their heating and utility bills.

Those who qualify will also have a health and safety check performed on their heating equipment. Weatherization may pay for Refrigerator Replacement, Heating and Hot Water Tank Replacement and Repairs, Insulation, and Energy Saving Light Bulbs. Other services are offered too. All resources are organized by your county community action agency.

Some of the common clients for weatherization include Disabled American Veterans receiving compensation, families who have a member on SSI (Supplemental Social Security), and food stamp eligible residents. However if your income is low, you can apply. The: New Jersey Homelessness Prevention Program

provides cash grants and financial assistance to low-income families who are close to losing their rental housing due to a temporary financial problem. Help is also provided to those who have been evicted through no fault of their own. Documentation of the hardship is required in order to be eligible.

These programs can provide temporary financial assistance along with services such as budget counseling to prevent future recurrence of homelessness. Read more details on New Jersey homeless prevention and rapid rehousing The federal government: Emergency Food and Shelter Program

is meant to prevent homelessness. You can apply at your local community action agency. It offers one-time rent payments in order to prevent evictions from your home or apartment. Those families who are already homeless are afforded temporary shelter through a voucher system with area hotels or motels.

Also food may be provided as part of this program.

Locations of New Jersey agencies

New Jersey Community Action Agencies can help homeowners with their property taxes . The state and local rates are among the highest in the country, and many people struggle to pay them. there are some options though, ranging from abatements to contesting real estate taxes and more. Find details on property tax exemptions

Most of the utility bill type aid is offered by referrals, but an agency is usually a great place to learn about financial assistance as well as state of New Jersey and federal government grants. The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEA)

helps low income residents with paying their heating and cooling bills. Funds can pay for electric, oil, natural gas and other deliverable bills. Community action agencies process applications for LIHEAP. Another statewide program is the: Universal Service Fund (USF).

It will provide qualified customers with savings on their energy and electric bills, and it is mandated by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities. It may be able to ensure that families do not spend more than six percent of their income on their monthly utility bills.

Community action agency case management services:

Each agency wants to ensure clients are successful over the long term. So programs and workshops offered include family and career counseling, job training, computer literacy, parenting workshops, and language development.

The non-profits want to end poverty in the state. General Community Programming can include intake, outreach, counseling, referral and follow-up. A focus is on helping people increase their income, or get a job.

So this means youth employment programs, transportation for interviews, child day care, summer day camps, employment and participate in volunteer projects for experience. Find help in commuting and transit

. Upstate NJ families often travel to the city for work and services, and the cost can be prohibitive. Community Action agencies can offer information on solutions. Whether it is tax breaks, discounted tickets and other aid. As an example, find how to get free bus passes Other: Community Services resources include Driver License Restoration, Crisis Intervention & Services, Financial Literacy, and GED preparation.

Basically staff will do what they can to help clients. Financial Education classes and development

is also important to self-sufficiency. Classes are coordinated by your non-profit community action agency. They focus on offering basic banking and money management including advice on savings and investment, understanding loans, budgeting, information on insurance products, and more. Learn the benefits of saving money and the use of bank accounts.

Free or low cost credit counseling sessions focus on eliminated debts, resolving credit issues, money management, household budgeting, and will help individuals with accessing free credit reports.

Also get referrals to financial literacy classes. Many New Jersey families are in debt due to the high cost of living, and commujnity action agencies may assist. Read more on free credit counseling in New Jersey Individual Development Account, or IDA, is a program offered at many locations and it was designed to encourage low-income persons to participate in a matched savings program.

So if you save a portion of your income, the agency will provide some matching grants. Savings can be used for paying for expenses and bills for education or business ownership. Other services offered at the same time include case management, access to credit counseling, supportive services, and financial literacy training components.

Senior citizens can also obtain outreach. A variety of empowerment and recreational programs are located at local community seniors. Programs consist of screenings, group outings, financial literacy workshops, health seminars and more. Home delivered meals may also be launched from these locations. Many agencies offer the: Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program .

This can offer free tax advice and preparation services to lower income individuals who are age 60 or older. Support may be offered for younger clients as well if they meet income limits. This program provides people access to highly trained volunteers who provide free tax counseling and assistance to low income and elderly individuals.

Get help completing both your New Jersey and federal income tax returns. Employment and education services The: Employment Services program

will prepare people for a job. Agencies and case workers partner with local businesses and training facilities to assist clients. Get assistance in finding appropriate employment. Case managers will help you identify and overcome barriers that have been preventing you from obtaining employment.

Many community action locations will provide the appropriate services needed to help clients secure and retain a job that is compatible with their desired career path as well as skill set.

Agencies provide orientation to work readiness and collaborate with outside non-profit