Social Services

The Division provides information and referral, advocacy, and crisis intervention services to residents based on financial eligibility and the availability of funding.

The Division is dedicated to serving people with disabilities. We encourage people to request reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). ADA complaints may be filed with Barbara Metzger, the Disability Services Planner, at 908-788-1361.

The Hunterdon County Department of Human Services is an equal opportunity employer. There is no discrimination in employment nor in the provision of services based on race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, marital, parental, or birth status.

NJ Helps

NJHelps is a free service offered by the New Jersey Department of Human Services, Division of Welfare Services, and is an easy way for you to prescreen for several welfare programs that are available to help you and your family.

NJHelps is private, they do not ask who you are and do not share your information with anyone. NJHelps will tell you where to go for help and what to bring with you when you visit your County's Division of Social Services after you have answered all the questions.

Housing Assistance Lottery Registration

The Hunterdon County Division of Housing lottery waiting list application is CLOSED.  We are not accepting applications.

Housing Resource Desk Guide

The Housing Resource Desk Guide was prepared, for the purpose of aiding social service providers who work with low-income families and individuals in their search for affordable housing. View the Housing Resource Desk Guide (PDF). The Hunterdon County Housing Resource Desk Guide was prepared by:

• Family Promise of Hunterdon County
• United Way of Hunterdon County
• Hunterdon County Department of Human Services

County Area Food Pantries

View a list of County Area Food Pantries (PDF) and their hours of operation, provided by the Hunterdon County Partnership for Health, or visit our Interactive Map of Area Food Pantries. 

Programs & Services Administered by the Hunterdon County Division of Social Services

If you would like to apply for any of the programs listed below, call 908-788-1300 and ask for a screener. View Brochure in English (PDF) or View Brochure in Spanish (PDF). 

The Division provides information and referral, advocacy, and crisis intervention services to residents based on financial eligibility and the availability of funding.

The Division is dedicated to serving people with disabilities. We encourage people to request reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). ADA complaints may be filed by  emailing Barbara Metzger, the Disability Services Planner, or calling 908-788-1361.

The Hunterdon County Department of Human Services is an equal opportunity employer.  There is no discrimination in employment nor in the provision of services based on race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, marital, parental or birth status..

Boarding Home/Rooming House Services – The Division investigates complaints of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of residents of boarding homes, residential health care facilities, rooming houses, and unlicensed facilities as well as providing outreach services to these residents.

Child Support and Paternity – The Division is responsible for locating absent parents, establishing paternity, and/or securing child support for TANF/WFNJ recipients and non-TANF applicants for child support services.

Dr. Orlie Pell Fund, Inc. – The Division administers a safety net fund for those individuals in need of food, clothing, utilities, prescription drugs, etc., who are ineligible for other categorical assistance programs and services.

NJ FAMILY CARE PROGRAM - Affordable HealthCare Act and NJ FamilyCare Program - Provides free or low-cost health insurance to low-income individuals and families who cannot afford to privately pay the cost of health insurance.

The NJ Department of Human Services (DHS) has launched an NJ FamilyCare advertising campaign to inform families to enroll eligible children in our comprehensive Children's Health Insurance Program.

Supplemental Assistance Nutrition Program (SNAP) - Federally funded USDA program which provides benefits to income-eligible households in order to increase their food purchasing power and improve the nutritional adequacy of their diets.

SNAP households that incur heating expenses can apply for heating and cooling assistance through the Home Energy Assistance program.

Food Stamp Employment Training Program (FSETP) Can provide $6/day travel reimbursement for individuals who use their own vehicles, or LINK transportation assistance can be provided in order to search for employment

General Assistance Program (GA) - The Division provides General Assistance Program benefits to individuals 18 and over without dependent children who can qualify for cash benefits, medical coverage, transportation, and possible housing to residents of all County municipalities, with the exception of Lambertville.

Homeless/Emergency Programs - The Division provides shelter and shelter-related services to clients eligible for TANF/GA and SSI Emergency Assistance. The SSH State program and the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) provides funding for clients who are ineligible for services under Emergency Assistance.

Medicaid Programs - Medicaid coverage is provided to eligible individuals/couples in the following categories:

• Aged, blind and disabled individuals residing in the community, boarding homes, or nursing homes
• Medicaid Only
• Pregnant women
• Adults and Children
• Children under the age of twenty-one (21)
• Medical Emergency Program for Undocumented Residents
• NJ Workability Program

Breast and Cervical Cancer Program

Medicaid Managed Long Term Services and Supports (MLTSS) -

Medicaid services are provided to eligible clients to remain in the community or return to the community, rather than be cared for in a nursing home or hospital setting.

Medically Needy Program - This program provides specific medical benefits to pregnant women, needy children, the aged, blind and disabled whose income and assets are too high to qualify them for the Medicaid Only Program.

Qualified Income Trust (QIT) - Medicaid services for individuals in need of Nursing Home Care, Home and Community based services including Assisted Living whose income is too high to qualify them for the Medicaid Only Program.

Senior Citizen Emergency Program - The Division receives funding from the Hunterdon County Division of Senior Services to assist seniors with emergencies related to housing, medical care, and transportation.

Work First NJ/Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (WFNJ/TANF) -

WFNJ/TANF temporary financial assistance is provided on a temporary basis to parent(s) with eligible child(ren) while the individual(s) seek economic self-sufficiency.

TANF is limited to a lifetime maximum of 60 cumulative months. To assist families with the transition to employment, the following supportive services are available:

• Child Care Services
• 24 month Medicaid Extension
• Payment of Certain Work Expenses
• Supplemental Work Support Program
• Transportation Assistance
• Career Advancement Voucher Program
• Federal/State Earned Income Tax Credits
• Child Support Services
• Early Employment Initiative (EEI)
• Paycheck Plus
• TANF Initiative For Parents (TIP)

SSH TANF- SSH TANF provides temporary financial assistance provided to families with at least one dependent child to prevent homelessness when other funding is not applicable.

Programs That You May Qualify to Receive Assistance

• Earned Income Tax Credit
• Supplemental Assistance Nutrition Program (SNAP)
• Medicaid (Health Insurance)
• NJ FamilyCare (Health Insurance)
• Low Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP)
• Work First New Jersey (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and General Assistance)
• New Jersey Cares for Kids (Child Care Assistance)

Kinship Cares Program

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Snap)

Important Information for SNAP Recipients about your February Benefits. View Information in English (PDF) or View Information in Spanish (PDF).