NJ COVID-19 Updates and More

SNAP Navigators are available in all 21 counties to help people seeking assistance from the State Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Navigators can answer questions about SNAP and help people apply for benefits. There are 11 agencies with SNAP Navigators available to assist residents throughout New Jersey.

NJ TRANSIT is working to improve access for bicycles, scooters, and pedestrians at all its stations. New Jerseyans are invited to contribute to this effort by participating in NJ TRANSIT's first Bicycle, Scooter, and Pedestrian Access Survey. The survey is open now and runs through the end of National Bike to Work Week, May 15th ? May 21st, 2023. Those who complete the survey and provide their contact information will be entered into a drawing for a $100 gift card.

Up to two children under the age of 18 can ride NJ TRANSIT for free with a fare-paying adult on "Take Your Children to Work Day," Thursday, April 27th, 2023. Children can often ride free with an adult on weekends and holidays. Visit the NJ Transit website for details.

Homeowners and renters who were impacted by Hurricane Ida can apply for three new disaster recovery programs.

The Tenant-Based Rental Assistance Program (TBRA)?helps cover rental housing costs for low-income rental families impacted by Hurricane Ida. Households must live in one of the following disaster-declared counties: Bergen, Essex, Gloucester, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Union, and Warren.

The program is now taking preliminary applications online. Staff will contact households that meet eligibility criteria to complete a full application.

Everyone who works in New Jersey is covered by State wage and hour laws, regardless of their immigration status, and are also protected against retaliation. Workers can find information about their rights and how to file a complaint with the Wage & Hour and Contract Compliance Division at myworkrights.nj.gov. Assistance is available in multiple languages.

The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) has announced the expansion of the Murphy Administration's Return and Earn program. The program?provides a $500 incentive to unemployed workers reentering the workforce and receiving job training from businesses with 500 or fewer employees, up from the previous 100 or less when it first launched in September 2021.

New Jerseyans are encouraged to continue taking necessary precautions to keep themselves and their loved ones healthy. Respiratory viruses, including COVID-19 are still among us.

Residents are particularly encouraged to stay up-to-date on COVID-19 and flu vaccinations, including receiving the updated bivalent COVID-19 booster when eligible.

Everyone six months of age and older is now eligible for the bivalent COVID-19 vaccinations that target recently circulating Omicron subvariants. COVID-19 vaccines are free to everyone. Find locations offering COVID-19 vaccines and boosters on the?COVID-19 Vaccine Finder?and?Community Calendar.

Flu vaccines, which are often covered by insurers at little to no cost to individuals, can be found at pharmacies, health care provider offices,?Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), and local health departments. FQHCs and health departments may also offer the flu vaccine at little to no cost for eligible uninsured or underinsured individuals.

Everyone is encouraged to take common sense measures to protect themselves and the people around them. This includes coughing or sneezing into your sleeve, washing your hands, staying home when you're sick, and wearing a mask if you or someone you're spending time with is at high risk of severe illness.

If symptoms appear,?get tested for COVID-19.?Free at-home test kits?are available from the federal government?and testing is offered for free at?certain sites around New Jersey.

Keep children home from school and child care centers if they are feeling unwell.