New Jersey

The NJ Department of Community Affairs runs the state's rental assistance and eviction/homelessness prevention programs, including help paying back rent so you can stay housed.

If you are homeless or about to lose your housing, call 2-1-1 any time, day or night, to get connected to emergency shelter and county homeless services.

Foreclosure prevention counseling and homeowner help; call 1-800-NJ-HOUSE (1-800-654-6873) if you're behind on your mortgage.

State-funded eviction diversion that can pay past-due rent and connect you with free legal help if you've received an eviction notice.

Monthly cash assistance for families with children (TANF) and for adults without children (General Assistance), plus Emergency Assistance for people facing homelessness. Apply online at NJHelps or at your county social services office.

• NJHelps

One online application to screen for and apply to cash assistance, SNAP, and health coverage all at once.

Diocesan Catholic Charities agencies across NJ offer emergency financial help, food, and case management regardless of religion; find your local diocese's agency.

Local corps across the state help with emergency rent, utilities, food, and clothing.

By state law, every NJ acute-care hospital must give free or discounted care to uninsured or underinsured patients who qualify by income — ask the hospital's billing office for a Charity Care application, even after you get a bill. Questions: 1-866-588-5696.

Hospital financial assistance

Every hospital has a financial assistance policy; ask for a "financial assistance" or "charity care" application before agreeing to a payment plan, and know NJ law limits aggressive collection while your application is pending.

Free legal information and representation for low-income residents dealing with medical bills, debt collection, and lawsuits; hotline 1-888-LSNJ-LAW (1-888-576-5529).

Helps pay heating and cooling bills for low-income households; apply through DCA or your local community action agency. Info line: 1-800-510-3102.

Ongoing monthly credit on gas and electric bills for low-income customers, with Fresh Start forgiving old past-due balances; same application as LIHEAP.

Nonprofit grants for gas, electric, water, and even phone bills for households in temporary crisis that don't qualify for government programs. 1-866-657-4273.

Grants for moderate-income households behind on gas and electric bills; NJ 211's utility hotline (1-855-465-8783) can help you find the right program.

New Jersey's food assistance program puts grocery money on an EBT card each month; apply online at NJHelps or njsnap.gov, or call 1-800-687-9512.

The state's largest food bank; use its site to find free food pantries and soup kitchens near you (also see Fulfill and the Food Bank of South Jersey for the shore and southern counties).

Free healthy food, formula, and nutrition support for pregnant people, new parents, and kids under 5. 1-800-328-3838.

New Jersey's free or low-cost health coverage (Medicaid and CHIP) for children, parents, pregnant people, and adults; apply online any time of year. 1-800-701-0710.

The state's official health insurance marketplace, with extra state subsidies that make many plans very low cost if you don't qualify for NJ FamilyCare.

Find a community health center near you; these centers see everyone, insured or not, and charge on a sliding scale based on your income.

New Jersey's own 24/7 suicide prevention and emotional support line: 1-855-654-6735, with trained counselors and follow-up support.

24/7 state addiction help line: 1-844-732-2465 (1-844-ReachNJ). Real people connect you to treatment even if you have no insurance or money.

State behavioral health agency; find county mental health screening centers (24/7 crisis evaluation) and low-cost treatment.

Helps low- and moderate-income working families pay for child care; apply through your county Child Care Resource and Referral agency. 1-800-332-9227.

Free neighborhood centers in every county with parenting support, help finding resources, and family activities — no income requirements, just walk in.

Support and possible financial help for grandparents and relatives raising children who aren't their own.

Free job search help, training programs, and career counseling at One-Stop centers in every region.

Apply online for weekly unemployment benefits if you lost your job or your hours were cut.

Half-price bus and train fares for seniors and people with disabilities; ask your One-Stop or county social services about transportation help for work.

Free civil legal help statewide for low-income people — evictions, debt, benefits denials, family issues. Hotline: 1-888-LSNJ-LAW (1-888-576-5529); self-help guides at LSNJLAW.org.

• LSNJLAW.org

Free legal clinics and volunteer attorneys for people who can't afford a lawyer, including debt, foreclosure, and re-entry issues.

Free and low-cost immigration legal services and deportation defense for low-income immigrants in New Jersey. 973-643-1924.