NJ Human Services Working with Food Pantries, the Faith Community, Grocers and Others to Help New Jerseyans Connect to SNAP
TRENTON – As Thanksgiving approaches and thoughts turn to food, friends and family, New Jersey Human Services Commissioner Carole Johnson announced a special focus on combating hunger in New Jersey by connecting families to the State’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or NJ SNAP, which can help working families and individuals with lower incomes afford groceries.
An estimated 1.4 million New Jersey residents are food insecure, meaning they lack regular access to enough affordable food for themselves and their families. The food insecure in New Jersey include nearly 270,000 children and 210,000 older residents.
“In New Jersey, we do not and will not turn our backs on those in need whether they are experiencing poverty, a disability, or having difficulties making ends meet,” said Governor Murphy.“The Trump Administration has already cut SNAP benefits twice and now, as we begin to enter the holiday season, they are coming back for more. We are committed to ensuring that our families, friends, and neighbors in need are receiving the assistance to make sure no one goes hungry.”
“For New Jersey’s children to thrive, to learn in school today, and to have a chance at the best possible tomorrow, they need to know that they have a reliable source of food and nutrition. No child should go hungry. No child should face constant anxiety and worry about where their next meal is coming from. For older New Jerseyans, it should never be the case that they are forced to choose between paying for food and paying for their prescriptions. And, for working families and individuals with lower incomes, the combination of rising rents and increased food costs can make it challenging to get on the best financial footing,” Commissioner Johnson said. “This Thanksgiving season, NJ Human Services is pleased to join with community organizations across the State to get the word out about NJ SNAP. If you or someone you know regularly struggles to afford food, we urge you to visit njsnap.gov to learn more about how NJ SNAP can help.”
As part of the effort, Governor Murphy has declared NJ SNAP Awareness Week in New Jersey from November 10th through 16th to encourage residents struggling with hunger or food insecurity to learn more about SNAP.
In New Jersey, individuals and families with incomes up to 185 percent of the federal poverty level ($23,017 for an individual and $39,461 for a family of three) may be eligible for SNAP depending on their assets and other expenses. An individual can be eligible for as much as $194 per month and a family of three can be eligible for as much as $509 per month, depending on their assets and expenses.
Today, nearly 700,000 New Jersey households rely on NJ SNAP for help buying groceries. About 6,000 grocers, community markets, bodegas, farmer’s markets and other food retailers in New Jersey participate in NJ SNAP, generating approximately $1 billion in revenue for these New Jersey businesses. Individuals can learn more about NJ SNAP and apply at njsnap.gov or by visiting their local county board of social services.
“In this season of giving when much attention is focused on the importance of food and community, NJ Human Services is working with community leaders to bring greater awareness to how NJ SNAP can help fight hunger in New Jersey,” Commissioner Johnson said. “NJ SNAP is our state’s most critical anti-hunger program and the first-line of defense against food insecurity. We hope that as New Jerseyans gather together with friends and family this holiday season, everyone can spread the word about helping those in need connect to food assistance through NJ SNAP.”
NJ Human Services is working with county boards of social services, community food pantries and food banks, grocers, the faith community, and community organizations to get the word out about how NJ SNAP can help fight hunger.
“NJ SNAP is making a difference in the lives of hundreds of thousands of New Jerseyans,” said Assistant Commissioner Natasha Johnson, who directs Human Services’ Division of Family Development. “During this holiday season and throughout the year, we will continue to work with our county partners to help residents learn more about how NJ SNAP can help their families.”
