The Office of Temporary Assistance provides temporary financial assistance to families and individuals facing a loss of income due to unemployment or inability to work due to illness or disability. Financial assistance is time limited and requires the family/individual to pursue alternative income sources such as employment or disability benefits.
Promotes financial and medical security for all New Jersey children in need of support. For the general public, it helps to locate non-custodial parents and to review all existing child support orders. Together with Family Court, it provides for genetic testing in all contested paternity matters. For TANF and AFDC Medicaid applicants, cooperation with CSP is required as a first step for eligibility unless the applicant is a victim of domestic violence. CSP provides a full range of services including establishing paternity, locating absent parents, establishing support orders, making information available to consumer credit agencies regarding delinquent parents, and the imposition of liens against real and personal property. It also provides genetic testing, and complaint initiation in local and out-of-State courts. Collection and enforcement of established orders are referred to the appropriate County Probation Department.
A state funded cash assistance program for single individuals and childless couples. Like TANF recipients, individuals may also receive Food Stamps and limited medical services. The Office of Temporary Assistance handles GA from all Morris County municipalities.
Provides monthly cash subsidies for children living with individuals who are kinship legal guardians raising a child whose parents are unable or unwilling to do so. Kinship Caregivers may also receive help with child care costs and other services.
The Office of Temporary Assistance administers both Community and Institutional Medicaid programs, providing benefits to financially and medically eligible families and individuals.
The Office of Temporary Assistance may provide one-time prescription assistance while a client awaits the receipt of Medicaid or other prescription support programs.
One Month Back Rent, First month’s Rent or Security Deposit may be provided to clients who present at the agency homeless or in danger of homelessness and with financial hardships. Assistance is based on future affordability and proof that there was a hardship within the home that prohibited the client from paying the rent. Clients will be seen by a social worker in the office to better assess their needs. Currently, OTA does not have funding to assist clients with ongoing rental assistance.
For individuals who have reached the 5-year limit for cash assistance and do not qualify for an exemption, SAIF provides cash assistance and support services such as child care and transportation for up to 24 months.
To qualify, individuals must:
Provides financial assistance to parents and/or relatives or legal guardians who meet the income guidelines caring for a child up to age 18, or age 19 if graduating high school by their 19th birthday, or age 21 if in a specialized education program. Many recipients are also eligible for Food Stamps and Medicaid.
Emergency Utility Assistance is available to clients who are in need of a one-time payment to their utility company and have received a shutoff notice. There is a maximum dollar amount that OTA can assist with, but the ultimate goal is to avoid shut off or restore service when possible. Clients will be seen by a social worker in the office to better assess their needs.
