NJ COVID-19 Updates and More

New Jersey households with incomes of $80,000 or less are eligible for gross income tax credits of up to $500 per child under a newly amended child tax credit law.

The credits will be available in 2023 when filing taxes for 2022.

More options and lower premiums are available for residents seeking health insurance coverage at Get Covered New Jersey, the official health insurance marketplace of New Jersey.

New federal funding means that no one will pay more than 8.5 percent of their income for health insurance through Get Covered New Jersey. About 9 in 10 residents who enroll through Get Covered New Jersey will qualify for financial assistance with health coverage premiums.

The Open Enrollment Period for 2023 coverage at Get Covered New Jersey will run from November 1st, 2022 to January 31st, 2023. Consumers must enroll by December 31st, 2022 for coverage starting January 1st, 2023; if they enroll by January 31st, 2023, coverage will begin February 1st, 2023.

Online voting registration is available now in New Jersey. The deadline to register to vote in the 2022 General Election on November 8th, 2022 is October 18th, 2022.

Questions? Visit the website or call 1-877-NJ-VOTER (1-877-658-6837).

More than three million residents are eligible for up to $1,500 in property tax relief under the ANCHOR program.

ANCHOR call wait times could be lengthy right now. To get your application in faster, use the website at nj.gov/treasury/taxation/anchor/.

To be eligible for this year's benefit, you must have occupied your primary residence on October 1st, 2019. You must also file (or be exempt from) NJ income taxes. The deadline for filing is December 30th, 2022.

Counties across New Jersey are seeking additional help at polling places on Election Day, Tuesday, November 8th, 2022, and during the early voting period before the election.

Poll workers earn $21.43 per hour on in-person early voting days and $300 on Election Day. Eligible applicants must be United States citizens who live in New Jersey. Additional requirements may apply.

Despite recent rainfalls, New Jersey continues to operate under a drought watch. The State is asking residents and businesses to reduce their use of water to help protect our water supplies.

Individuals ages 5 and older are encouraged to get a COVID-19 bivalent booster dose, which should be received two months after their most recent booster or primary vaccination series. If you are at least 6 years old, you can get either a Pfizer or Moderna booster, regardless of which vaccine you received for your primary series.

These updated COVID-19 boosters offer stronger protections against severe illness and death from Omicron sub-variants. The Pfizer booster is recommended for all individuals ages 5 and older, while the Moderna booster is recommended for ages 6 and older.

Find locations offering the boosters on the COVID-19 Vaccine Finder and Community Calendar at covid19.nj.gov.

988 is now active across the United States. This new, shorter phone number will make it easier for people to remember and access mental health crisis services. If you are struggling with thoughts of suicide or experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis, call or text 988 to be connected to trained crisis counselors who will listen to your concerns, provide support, and get you additional help if needed.

COVID-19 cases are on the rise and it is important that you continue to take actions to protect yourself and your loved ones from COVID-19:

• Get vaccinated and boosted
• Get tested
• Be vigilant around the elderly and immunocompromised
• Wash hands frequently
• Stay home when sick
• Learn your treatment options
• Use common sense