Burlington County government and public aid.
Emergency, short term aid as well as long term public assistance in Burlington County can help working poor families. There are also various state of New Jersey and federal government benefits for other at risk individuals in the county, such as senior citizens, the disabled, or families with young children. Regardless of the applicant's age, race, or religion, financial aid may be administered by the county.
The government assistance is coordinated by the Department of Human Services, often in partnership with community action agencies or other groups. They coordinate services in an effort to help as many people as possible with their basic needs.
Medical bill assistance and health care programs will help ensure that all low income and uninsured residents in Mount Holly and other Burlington towns have some type of access to care. The main public options are below, and there is aid for people of all ages, ranging from children up through senior citizens.
Each program will provide different types of services. Some will pay for eyeglasses or routine expenses such as lab tests or doctor visits. Other may cover more specialty type services ranging from X-Rays to certain types of blood tests. Social workers from the county can provide information on the specifics.
- FamilyCare will offer help to entire families, including children or seniors in Burlington County.
- Limited assistance for unpaid bills or debts is available from the New Jersey Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund, and the government grants can be used for expenses incurred only for children.
- Benefits from Medicaid can help with health care costs.
Cash assistance in Burlington County is available from the Department of Human Services (DHS), and this is known as WorkFirst New Jersey. Government grants can be used to pay for different types of expenses, provided the applicant participates in employment related activities. Most clients can receive a grant for up to five years worth of basic needs paid in monthly installments, and this is also known as New Jersey Cash Assistance Family.
WorkFirst also has an emergency component. Money can be issued for certain bills such as rent or heating costs in Burlington County, and there is also public aid for employment related costs such as car repairs or work clothing. The goal of this is really to offer short term support while the client gets off of welfare over the long term.
General assistance in Burlington County is for individuals who do not qualify for any other government support. The county will help ensure the resident does not go hunger, has access to shelter, and other basic needs. Any aid is very limited and the application process is extensive.
SNAP applications are also processed by the DHS in Burlington County. This is the state's version of Food stamps, and it will help those facing poverty or that have a low income feed their families. Vouchers or an EBT card will be issued to the client to pay for groceries, perishable goods and food they need.
Burlington County public housing and one time financial aid can help families either facing eviction or the homeless. The county, using federal government grants, partners with charities such as the Salvation Army and others on addressing housing issues. There are shelters, transitional homes, and placement into low income apartments available. They also can refer clients to the local PHA for applications to section 8 vouchers.
The disabled can get financial help from public aid as part of Supplemental Security Income (SSI). There is support for the blind, individuals over 65, or individuals that can't work due to a disability. Payments can be made for expenses such as housing, medical care, medications, and more.
Applications for SSI are processed by the Supplemental Security Administration, which has offices across New Jersey. It can take months to get approved for this form of cash aid, and many applicants are denied the first time. Human Services can provide some information on where the local offices are, and may have background on the benefit program.
Heating bill assistance is available from LIHEAP or NJ Shares, and this is an example of a partnership agreement as it is administered by the Department of Community Affairs. Low income households will be given either a credit or a grant for paying their bills. Other components of it include education classes on how to conserve, weatherization, and a crisis program too.
Anyone seeking public assistance will need to participating in job training or working. This is known as self-sufficiency, and there are a few different aspects of it as noted below.
- Employment specialists and social workers in Burlington County offer career counseling and free advice on finding a job.
- Job centers offer free use of computers, training, and resume creation advice.
- Support will help families transition off off public assistance to full time employment.
- Child care assistance can help parents address this cost while they are in job training.
For more information, human services in Burlington County Human Services can be called at 795 Woodlane Road in Westampton, NJ 08060. Dial the office at 609-265-5800.
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