|
Support for Families
Child Care Services The Department of Children and Families, Office of Licensing (OOL), licenses and inspects child care centers and registered family child care providers in New Jersey. For information on a specific child care center, call the OOL at 877-667-9845. For child care resources in your area, call the Child Care Help Line of New Jersey at 1-800-332-9227. General information about child care services can be found HERE at the Department of Human Services, Division of Family Development. Welfare Services Food Stamps Food stamps are available to low-income households, including families, couples without children, individuals, seniors, disabled persons, legal immigrants and victims of family violence. For more information click HERE or call 1-800-687-9512. Medicaid If you have children under the age of 18, and you are working, your family may be eligible for a 24- month extension of your Medicaid health benefits. As your income changes, so will your Medicaid eligibility. Exactly when the two years begins depends on the amount you are earning. If your new job already provides health benefits, you will use those first, then your Medicaid benefits, if needed, to pay for health care costs. For more information click HERE or call the Medicaid Hotline 1-800-356-1561. Work First New Jersey New Jersey's welfare program for families is known as WorkFirst New Jersey Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (WFNJ/TANF). The state also has a program for single adults and couples without children, known as WorkFirst New Jersey General Assistance (WFNJ/GA). For more information click HERE or call 1-800-792-9773. NJ FamilyCare NJ FamilyCare is a federal and state funded health insurance program created to help New Jersey's uninsured children and certain low-income parents and guardians to have affordable health coverage. It is not a welfare program. NJ FamilyCare is for families who do not have available or affordable employer insurance, and cannot afford to pay the high cost of private health insurance. For more information click HERE or call 1-800-701-0710. Child Support Services It is the responsibility of each parent - both mother and father - to make sure their child has enough food to eat, clothes to wear and a safe place to live. Still, some children do not get the support they need. The Department of Human Services Office of Child Support Services assists parents to obtain the financial support necessary for their children to prosper in a stable setting, and helps parents understand how critical their participation is in the lives of their children. Learn how you can apply for child support services HERE or call 1-877-NJKIDS1. Postpartum Depression Services Postpartum depression (PPD) is treatable, but many people do not know the facts. They wait too long to get help, or never seek treatment. PPD is serious. Feelings of depression or sadness may cause a new mom to feel confused and alone. By learning to recognize and understand PPD, a woman can seek support from her family and get medical help. Husbands, partners, friends, and family members can help in the process. Often, they recognize there is a problem even before the woman herself. Postpartum depression affects one in every 8 to 10 women. It usually occurs within the first year after childbirth, miscarriage or stillbirth. PPD is not a character flaw or sign of personal weakness. It does not mean that there is anything wrong with your ability to be a mother. The symptoms of PPD range from mild blues to severe depression. The depression may be mild, moderate, or severe. Home Energy Assistance Programs The Department of Community Afairs, Division of Community Resources administers various home energy assistance programs. For more information, click HERE. |
