Ocean County Government
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Ocean County Board of Social Services

Income Assistance Programs

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Communications Lifeline/Link Up America

Verizon's Communications Lifeline/Link Up America program makes telephone service more affordable for qualified applicants.

The Communications Lifeline provides qualified low-income individuals with a credit towards their monthly telephone bill.

The Link Up America component of the program provides eligible individuals with a discount on telephone connection charges with the remaining amount billed in 12 monthly payments.

Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT)
(732) 349-1500

The Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) system (known statewide as Families First) took effect in Ocean County on March 1, 1999. This system replaced the issuance of checks and food coupons to eligible TANF/GA/NJ SNAP clients and made their cash and food benefits available to them through an electronic benefit account. To access their cash and food benefits, TANF/GA/NJ SNAP clients utilize their Families First cards. The EBT card may be used at merchant point-of-sale
(POS) terminals and automated teller machines (ATM).

Emergency Assistance (EA)
(732) 349-1500

Work First New Jersey/TANF/GA and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients may be eligible to receive Emergency Assistance (EA) benefits to alleviate or prevent homelessness. This assistance may include temporary shelter, utility assistance, food, household furnishings, security deposit, first month's rent, back rent, and/or a rent subsidy. Receipt of these benefits is time-limited and contingent upon other eligibility factors, such as housing affordability.

NJ Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (NJ SNAP)

This program is designed to promote the general welfare and safeguard the health and wellbeing of low-income individuals by raising their level of nutrition. When making food purchases, eligible individuals use their Families First card to pay for food purchases with funds available in their Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) account.

Able-bodied NJ SNAP recipients may be required to register for work and participate in meaningful work-related activities through the NJ SNAP Employment and Training Program.


Refugee Resettlement Program (RRP)
(732) 349-1500

This program serves refugees and asylees resettling in New Jersey and provides assistance such as medical support, employment services and other social services.

Work First New Jersey/General Assistance Program (WFNJ/GA)

This is a program designed to provide time-limited cash assistance and services that help improve the well-being of single adults or couples without children while they work at obtaining self-sufficiency through employment and/or other sources. The WFNJ/GA program incorporates a five-year limit on cash assistance.

Work First New Jersey/Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (WFNJ/TANF)

This is a program designed to provide time-limited cash assistance to needy families with children. The program requires most recipients to participate in work-related activities while providing child-care assistance and other support services designed to promote economic self-sufficiency. The WFNJ/TANF program incorporates a five-year limit on cash assistance.