Income Assistance

• The WorkFirst New Jersey programs provides temporary income assistance to needy families. The program also provides job training and assistance, which is designed to help residents become financially self-sufficient. To qualify for assistance under the WorkFirst program, you must be a state resident and a U.S. citizen. You must be pregnant or responsible for the care of a child under the age of 19. Your income must be within certain limits determined by your family size. If you qualify for assistance under the WorkFirst program, you may continue to receive benefits up to a maximum of five years.
  
  

Health Care Programs

• There are two health care programs available to low-income families in the state of New Jersey. The Medicaid program provides free health care assistance for pregnant women, families with dependent children, individuals over the age of 65 and anyone who is blind or disabled. You must be a state resident and meet the income requirements to qualify for Medicaid assistance. The New Jersey Family Care program provides low-cost health insurance for families who are considered low-income but earn too much to qualify for Medicaid. The amount of premiums and co-pays you pay under the plan are determined by your income and family size.
  
  

Nutrition Programs

• The New Jersey Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides monthly food assistance for low-income families. The amount of benefits you're eligible to receive is based on your income and family size. Pregnant women and women with young children may also qualify for the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program, which provides food vouchers and nutrition counseling to mothers. Older children can benefit from the school breakfast and lunch program, which offers free or reduced-price meals to students from low-income families. The Summer Food Service program also offers breakfast and lunch low-income children during the summer months.
  
  

Education and Child Care Assistance

• New Jersey also offers several programs to help children advance in school and help working parents cover the cost of child care. The New Jersey Head Start program is designed for children who are 3 to 5 years old, while the Early Head Start program accepts pregnant women, infants and toddlers. The goal of both of these programs is to prepare children for school and to encourage positive social interaction. The New Jersey Department of Human Services also provides child care subsidies for parents with young children in day care. Eligibility for education and child care programs is also based on income and family size.