NJ COVID-19 Updates and More

Black bears will emerge soon from their winter dens across New Jersey. At this time of year, natural food sources are limited, so bears may travel into neighborhoods to take advantage of unnatural food sources like food waste in household trash cans. Just one meal from a garbage can or dumpster can encourage bears to come back for more. Bears accustomed to finding food in trash cans can become nuisances or show aggressive behavior towards people. Find tips for bear-resistant garbage management here.

Some communities in regions of New Jersey with higher bear populations make certified bear-resistant garbage containers available to residents. Inquire with your local municipality.

February 2023 is the last month households enrolled in the NJ Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will receive emergency SNAP benefits. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government provided emergency allotments to SNAP recipients. These additional payments end on February 28th, 2023.

That means that starting in March 2023, you will only receive your regular monthly benefit amount. New Jersey has implemented a minimum monthly SNAP benefit of $95 for all SNAP beneficiaries. If your approved monthly SNAP benefit is less than $95, you will receive a supplemental payment from the State to bring your total benefit to $95. New legislation passed on February 8th, 2023 has increased the minimum SNAP benefit from the previously announced minimum of $50.

The Department of Human Services will mail letters explaining the benefit change to all SNAP households starting next week. SNAP households are encouraged to check their benefits before their next trip to the grocery store. SNAP recipients can check their benefit details at any time by logging into the online portal, with the Connect EBT mobile app, or by calling 800-997-3333.

As of January 1st, 2023, those under 19 may now apply for NJ FamilyCare regardless of their immigration status. All other requirements for NJ FamilyCare still apply.

NJ FamilyCare is the State's publicly funded health insurance program that includes Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) recipients.

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.

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.

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.