Michael Swayze's Community Resources

Category: Community Resources

  • Online Safety Net Tools And Applications

    Technology and the widespread use of the Internet have led to more and more safety net programs being placed online. This website has made a concerted effort over the years to make those applications easier to find. However, knowing where to go for government benefits or to a nonprofit’s office can be a hit or miss operation. This article hopes to highlight a number of public benefit websites, online applications and a few software programs known as pre-screening tools. Links to them can be found on this site’s community resource page or site map under the title of Public Benefits Corner.

    Benefits.gov is the official benefits website of the U.S. government. Introduced in 2002, it offers online access to information provided by seventeen federal agencies. Users can browse information by category, state or federal agency. New Jersey residents can discover information on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (formerly known as food stamps), medicaid program, unemployment insurance, Head Start, Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), WIC, Weatherization Assistance Program and more.

    Social Security’s Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool, according to their site, “helps you find out if you could get benefits that Social Security administers. Based on your answers to questions, this tool will list benefits for which you might be eligible and tell you more information about how to qualify and apply.” BEST is not an application for benefits. It will screen for the following benefits: Medicare, Social Security Disability, Social Security Retirement, Social Security Survivors, Special Veterans and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

    The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Pre-Screening Eligibility Tool can be used to determine if you may be eligible to receive SNAP benefits. Buttons on the site explain how to use the tool as well as a basic Internet tutorial. The site is maintained by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service.

    This is the first in a series of articles on New Jersey websites with safety net applications and pre-screening tools. The Public Benefits Corner here has links to eighteen such sites.

  • Energy Assistance Update

    This is the time of year when many energy customers seek help with their utility bills. Here is some good news and information to point you in the right direction.

    The deadline to apply for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is extended from April 30 to May 31, 2017. The extension applies to heating assistance, cooling assistance and emergency assistance.

    Atlantic City Electric has a new program to help financially strapped customers. Eligibility for the Helping Hands Program will be determined on an individual basis and household income should not exceed 400% of the Federal Poverty Limit. The program will be administered by the following four organizations:

    The most popular New Jersey Community Resources page this past week has been
    Avoiding Utility Shutoffs in New Jersey.

  • Post-TANF Transportation Programs

    Transportation assistance is available as a Post-TANF benefit for those leaving welfare due to employment. These programs are: “Get A Job, Get A Ride” and the “Extended Workpass”.

    The completed “Get A Job, Get A Ride” application is mailed to New Jersey Transit who will issue a free one month two-zone monthly bus pass or rail pass. A person wishing to apply for the “Extended Workpass” must provide their county welfare agency with monthly pay stubs. This program provides free passes for a six month period. If eligible, the county welfare agency will issue the participant a two party check to be taken to the nearest NJ Transit ticket agent.

    Please note that any individual whose case closed within the past 24 months, if now employed, may be eligible for up to six months of transportation if he or she can provide proof of current employment.

    Contact a Work First New Jersey case manager for details. You can download the “Get A Job, Get A Ride” and “Extended Workpass” Enrollment Form here.

    Additional information and links on welfare regulations and benefits are available online, including: