The Township is here to assist residents find important resources to help ease their burdens. If you have any questions, please contact the Mayor’s Office at (732) 247-0922, ext. 430.
Hurricane Ida Resources
Homeowner Assistance and Recovery Program (HARP)
The Homeowner Assistance and Recovery Program (HARP) provides awards to homeowners impacted by Hurricane Ida for activities necessary to restore their storm-damaged homes, including rehabilitation, reconstruction, elevation, and/or other eligible mitigation activities such as structural and utility retrofits to make damaged homes more resistant to floods.
Please click on the link below for further information.
Housing Counseling and Legal Services Program (HCS)
The Housing Counseling and Legal Services Program provides a wide range of free services for homeowners and renters, including assistance with completing applications for Hurricane Ida recovery programs and other disaster recovery programs. The services also include fair housing education for landlords and renters, and financial counseling. The program’s goal is to provide supportive services that help renters and homeowners access disaster recovery programs, understand their housing rights and responsibilities, and secure safe permanent housing.
Please click on the link below for further information.
Need Help Finding Your Calm After the Storm?
RWJBH IFPR Hope and Healing Ida Program offers emotional support services, education and support based resources for individuals and families affected by the aftermath of the Ida Storm. for more information click the link below.
If you live in Bergen, Essex, Gloucester, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Union, or Warren counties, you can register for disaster assistance. Federal disaster assistance for individuals and families can include money for rental assistance, essential home repairs, personal property losses, and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance.
You should have the following information available when you are ready to register:
- A description of disaster damage and losses
- Address of the damaged primary dwelling
- Current mailing address, telephone number, and Social Security number
- Insurance information
- Total household annual income
- Routing and account numbers for checking or savings accounts for direct deposit
Apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov.
Disaster Assistance Resources
The State of New Jersey has launched a resource page with information and state resources available to affected residents. Please click on the link below.
Residents can access FEMA resources online at http://www.disasterassistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-3362. The TTY number for the hearing or speech impaired is 1-800-462-7585 (TTY). Calls will be accepted seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Please click on the link for information on what to expect when applying with FEMA.
Township Assistance Programs
North Brunswick Food Bank
North Brunswick Food Bank distribution will be Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and Thursdays from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the North Brunswick Senior Center, 15 Linwood Place.
The North Brunswick Food Bank is accepting food, gift cards and monetary donations to help build the inventory of food lost due to the storm. Donations can be dropped off at the North Brunswick Senior Center Monday – Friday from 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Thank you in advance for your support.
Regional Assistance Programs
Central Jersey Housing Resource Center
The Central Jersey Housing Resource Center (CJHRC) is a HUD certified housing counseling agency, as well as a 501 (c) 3 non-profit and ALL services and programs provided are FREE to clients.
Please click on the link below for more information for CJHRC’s counseling services.
Federal Assistance Programs
Social Security Announces 3.2 Percent Benefit Increase for 2024
Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for more than 71 million Americans will increase 3.2 percent in 2024, the Social Security Administration announced today. On average, Social Security retirement benefits will increase by more than $50 per month starting in January.
More than 66 million Social Security beneficiaries will see the 3.2 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) beginning in January 2024. Increased payments to approximately 7.5 million people receiving SSI will begin on December 29, 2023. (Note: some people receive both Social Security and SSI benefits).
Some other adjustments that take effect in January of each year are based on the increase in average wages. Based on that increase, the maximum amount of earnings subject to the Social Security tax (taxable maximum) will increase to $168,600 from $160,200.
Social Security begins notifying people about their new benefit amount by mail starting in early December. Individuals who have a personal my Social Security account can view their COLA notice online, which is secure, easy, and faster than receiving a letter in the mail. People can set up text or email alerts when there is a new message–such as their COLA notice–waiting for them in my Social Security.
People will need to have a my Social Security account by November 14 to see their COLA notice online. To get started, visit www.ssa.gov/myaccount.
Information about Medicare changes for 2024 will be available at www.medicare.gov. For Social Security beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare, their new 2024 benefit amount will be available in December through the mailed COLA notice and my Social Security’s Message Center.
The Social Security Act provides for how the COLA is calculated. The Social Security Act ties the annual COLA to the increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) as determined by the Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics.
New Jersey Assistance Programs
NJ 211
NJ 211 provides live assistance 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Services are free, confidential and multilingual. There are several ways to contact 211: By phone (simply dial 2-1-1); via text (send your zip code to 898-211) or e-mail info@nj211.org.
Specialists have access to a resource database of over 7,600 community programs and services that assist people who need help with life’s most basic needs… things like food, utilities, affordable housing, rental assistance, mental and physical health, substance use disorders, child care, senior needs, legal assistance, transportation, disability services and more.
Please click on the link below for the NJ 211 website.
New Jersey E-Z Pass Senior Discount Program
The Senior Citizen Discount Program is “tag specific” which means that you will be asked to identify the one (1) E-ZPass tag/transponder that will be used exclusively by the eligible senior citizen enrolling in the Program. There is an eleven (11) digit number on the tag/transponder and it must begin with “009”, “022” , “025” or “029”.
In order to participate in this Program you must be 65 years of age or older, have a New Jersey E-ZPass account, have a valid driver’s license issued by any state, and have a vehicle registered in your name in any state. You do not have to live in New Jersey to open a New Jersey E-ZPass account.
Please click on the link below for the NJ E-Z Pass Senior Discount application.
NJEDA Small Business Emergency Improvement Grant Program
The Small Business Improvement Grant reimburses eligible small businesses and nonprofits for up to 50% of eligible project costs associated with building improvements or the purchase and/or installation of new furniture, fixtures, and equipment made on or after March 9th, 2020. The maximum grant award is $50,000. Applications are first-come-first-served.
Please click on the links below for further information on the grant program and program registration portal.
Financial Assistance for Health Insurance
Get Covered New Jersey is the State’s official health insurance marketplace that provides access to the resources and financial help you need to find the right coverage. Now, new state and federal financial assistance will help drastically lower health insurance costs for many New Jerseyans.
If you are already enrolled, you will likely be able to claim additional savings. If you need coverage, you can explore your options. If you received unemployment compensation in 2021, you may be eligible for nearly free coverage. Enrollment is open through the end of the year but enroll by Friday, April 30th for coverage effective May 1st.
NJ Hope and Healing Crisis Counseling Program (CCP)
The Hope and Healing Crisis Counseling Program is available to assist New Jersey communities affected by COVID-19. It is provided by Catholic Charities of New Jersey in collaboration with the NJ Department of Human Services’ Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services.
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
The Home Energy Assistance Program helps very low-income residents with their heating and cooling bills, and makes provisions for emergency heating system services and emergency fuel assistance within the Home Energy Assistance Program.
Substance Use Disorder Resources Available Across New Jersey
Anyone seeking help with addiction, whether struggling personally or helping a loved one, can call 1-844-ReachNJ(1-844-732-2465) to receive immediate support and assistance from live, trained addiction counselors based here in New Jersey. The help line is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
New Jersey Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services
The New Jersey Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services provide a host of services, including substance abuse prevention and early intervention, emergency screening, outpatient and intensive outpatient mental health and addictions services, partial care and partial hospitalization and case management.
ATLAS® Provides Support For People Struggling With Substance Use Disorder
New Jersey has launched a free, confidential, online tool to connect residents with appropriate addiction treatment care and deliver user-friendly information about the quality of available programs.
ATLAS®, or Addiction Treatment Locator, Assessment, and Standards Platform, allows individuals with substance use disorder and their loved ones to search for and compare participating programs using criteria such as location, services offered, and insurance accepted so they can find the best treatment for their unique needs.
New Jersey AIDS/HIV/STD Hotline
The New Jersey AIDS/HIV/STD Hotline is a go-to resource for NJ residents looking for testing, prevention and treatment information and/or services for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The hotline is available 24/7. Services are free and confidential.
Middlesex County Assistance Programs
Middlesex County Services Locator
The County’s Service Locator can help residents find available resources, such as food, substance abuse resources, job training, emergency preparedness, veterans services, housing or caregiving. To access the service locator, please click on the button below.
Middlesex County Pathways to Recovery Program
If the opioid epidemic has impacted you directly or indirectly, as a family member or friend, and you have an employment need, you may be eligible to participate in the Middlesex County Pathways to Recovery program.
The Pathways to Recovery program is a free employment program for Middlesex County residents ages 18 and up, that assists individuals who have been impacted by the opioid epidemic through education, training, and assistance in finding gainful, long-term employment.
The deadline to apply is January 31, 2024.
Middlesex County Emergency Rental Assistance Program
Are you in need of rental assistance as a direct result of COVID-19? Support is available right now for low-to-moderate-income households! Middlesex County has established an Emergency Rental Assistance Program for eligible households facing a loss of income due to the pandemic.
If qualified, funds from the program may be used to pay outstanding balances for rent or utilities (gas, electric, and/or water only), with funds usually being paid directly to landlords and service providers. If a landlord does not wish to participate, funds may be paid directly to the eligible household. Generally, temporary assistance will not exceed more than 12 months.
More information and a link to the application portal can be found here: https://www.middlesexcountynj.gov/find-programs-and-resources/rental-assistance
Career Assistance – Middlesex County Office of Career Opportunity
The office administers federal and state job training funds for the benefit of County residents. It establishes programs to prepare youth and adults for entry into the labor force and to afford job training for eligible individuals facing serious barriers to employment, who are in special need of training to obtain productive employment.
Utility Assistance Programs
Altice
Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)
Altice USA participates in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), offering free 300 Mbps of wired home connectivity with the ACP credit. Alternatively, households can apply the ACP credit of up to $30 to any Optimum broadband plan.
To learn more about the Affordable Connectivity Program, please click the link below.
Altice Advantage Internet Program
Altice is offering low cost Internet for qualifying groups through its Altice Advantage Internet program. Those who may qualify include:
- K-12 or college student who needs Internet access at home for remote learning due to the COVID-19/Coronavirus pandemic
- Eligible for or receives Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and 65 years of age or older
- US military veteran and receives state or federal public assistance.
To learn more about the Altice Advantage Internet program, please click the link below.
PSE&G
For information on assistance in paying your PSE&G bill, please click the link below.
