NJ COVID-19 Updates and More

Hundreds of thousands of New Jerseyans who rent their homes are eligible for $450 in property tax relief under the ANCHOR program.

Tenants and renters who were previously ineligible because their unit was covered by a PILOT agreement can now apply for the ANCHOR benefit.

Eligible applicants will receive a $450 payment this spring.

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 has been extended to February 28th, 2023.

As of January 1st, 2023, vehicle owners in New Jersey are required to carry a minimum of $25,000 in liability insurance and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Details on 2023 coverage requirements are available in the official New Jersey Auto Insurance Buyer's Guide.

New Jersey companies that grow cannabis must pay a social equity excise fee of $1.52 on each ounce of cannabis they sell. The Cannabis Regulatory Commission has invited New Jersey residents and organizations to share their ideas for how cannabis tax revenue dollars should be used. The second of two public hearings will be held on Wednesday, January 18th at 7 p.m.

You may register to speak or submit a comment in writing. The deadline to register to speak is 5 p.m. on the day before the meeting. The deadline to submit a written comment is 5 p.m. on Friday, January 20th.

New Jerseyans who want to join the waiting list for Section 8 housing vouchers can submit preliminary applications beginning at 9 a.m. on January 17th, 2023.

Successful pre-applications will be selected through a random lottery process. Applicants who qualify for a preference will receive priority placement on the waiting list. Preferences include United States Armed Forces veterans and their spouses, people experiencing homelessness, domestic violence survivors, local residents, and people with disabilities. A total of 20,000 households will be selected in the random lottery, enabling those households to be added to the waiting list to be awarded vouchers as they become available.

Applicants must be 18 years of age or older to apply or be an emancipated minor. An email address is required to apply. If an applicant does not have one, they can create an email address during the pre-application process.

Applicants who are disabled and need assistance with submitting their pre-application can contact the Department of Community Affairs at (609) 292-4080 and select Option 9 from the menu. Assistance is available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m, seven days a week or by emailing [email protected].

Applicants selected in the random lottery to be placed on the Section 8 HCV waiting list will be notified via email, which may take several weeks. Pre-applications are due by 5 p.m. on February 3rd, 2023. Applicants can check their status after February 24th, 2023.

More options and record savings are available for residents seeking health insurance coverage at Get Covered New Jersey, the state's official health insurance marketplace.

Nine in 10 people who enroll through Get Covered New Jersey will qualify for financial assistance with health insurance premiums. Many will pay $10 a month or less in 2023, and no one will pay more than 8.5% of their income for health insurance through Get Covered New Jersey.

The Open Enrollment Period for 2023 coverage at Get Covered New Jersey will run until January 31st, 2023. If you enroll this month, your coverage will begin February 1st, 2023.

If you are having trouble paying your electric, sewer, or water bills, you may be eligible to avoid disconnection through the Winter Termination Program. Until March 15th, 2023, people unable to pay their utility bills due to circumstances beyond their control, as well as people receiving certain types of public assistance, can receive forbearance by contacting their utility company.

Individuals or families experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness can contact their county social service agency for assistance. After business hours, call 2-1-1 or visit NJ211.org.

New Jerseyans are encouraged to take the necessary precautions to keep themselves and their loved ones healthy throughout the winter. Respiratory viruses, including COVID-19, influenza, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) are currently circulating throughout the state.

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. Flu and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (usually called RSV) are impacting schools and child care settings in New Jersey right now.