Community Support for Single Mothers in New Jersey

Where to start

Do not start by calling every charity in the state. Start with the office or system that matches the problem. This saves time and helps you avoid places that do not serve your county.

Quick reference table

Main support paths for New Jersey mothers

1. NJ 211 and county social services

NJ 211 is the best first call when you do not know which office handles your problem. It can refer you to food, housing, health care, legal services, child care, and local nonprofits. You can call 2-1-1, text your ZIP code to 898-211, or use online search.

Your county social services office is different. It handles many public benefit and emergency assistance questions. If you need shelter screening during business hours, have a benefits case problem, or need to ask about WorkFirst NJ, SNAP, or emergency assistance, your county office is often the right door.

For food benefit details, see our New Jersey SNAP help guide.

2. Food, diapers, and basic items

If you need food today, ask NJ 211 for the nearest pantry and ask if you need ID, proof of address, or an appointment. New Jersey also lists food help through state food security pages. For a deeper food guide, use our WIC help page if you are pregnant, postpartum, breastfeeding, or have a child under age 5.

Regional food banks can also point you to local partners. In many North, Central, and some South Jersey counties, use CFBNJ food search. In Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, and Salem counties, use South Jersey food. In Monmouth and Ocean counties, use Fulfill food help. In Mercer County, the state lists Mercer food help before you travel.

For diapers, clothing, cribs, school supplies, and household goods, ask 211 for local baby banks, churches, family centers, and diaper partners. You can also check our New Jersey guide to baby items and our page on school supplies before school starts.

3. Housing, rent, utilities, and shutoff help

For rent, eviction, shelter, or homelessness risk, start with your county social services office during business hours. After hours, use the NJ 211 homeless hotline. The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs oversees housing programs that can include homelessness prevention, Section 8, and other rental assistance paths through DCA housing for eligible renters.

Rent funds are not always open, and some programs require proof that you can keep the housing after the one-time help. If you have a court date, do not wait for a charity callback. Call LSNJ and ask for eviction advice.

For more detail, use our New Jersey housing help guide. If the problem is a gas, electric, water, or internet bill, see our New Jersey utility help page.

4. Child care, school, and family centers

The New Jersey Child Care Assistance Program can help income-eligible families pay for child care while a parent is working, going to school, or in job training. The program is handled locally by county Child Care Resource and Referral agencies. Start with Child Care NJ, then check our New Jersey child care help page.

Family Success Centers are useful when you need a real person to help you sort out local supports. New Jersey says these centers are free and can help with information, referrals, life skills, housing services, parent education, parent-child activities, and advocacy. Find centers through the state Family Success Centers page.

If your child needs afterschool care, summer meals, school supplies, or learning help, ask the school social worker, guidance office, or family liaison. You can also use our New Jersey afterschool programs page.

5. Health, pregnancy, and mental health

NJ FamilyCare is New Jersey’s Medicaid and CHIP program. It may cover doctor visits, prescriptions, hospital care, dental care, vision, mental health, and substance use services for eligible residents. You can read about the program at NJ FamilyCare and use NJFC apply to start or manage an application.

If you are pregnant, recently had a baby, or need help finding local pregnancy and family supports, Connecting NJ can connect families with health and social resources. For a broad ASMOM guide, see New Jersey health care help for next steps.

If you or your child needs emotional support, NJ Mental Health Cares can help with behavioral health referrals. For children and youth, PerformCare is the access point for New Jersey Children’s System of Care services. Start with NJ MentalHealthCares or PerformCare, and use our New Jersey mental health help guide for more paths.

6. Legal help, child support, and safety

This guide is general information, not legal advice. If you have a legal deadline, court notice, custody issue, eviction case, benefits denial, debt lawsuit, or domestic violence concern, speak with a qualified legal help provider as soon as possible.

Legal Services of New Jersey gives free civil legal advice, information, and referrals to financially eligible residents. Call 1-888-LSNJ-LAW or use the online intake. For a focused ASMOM guide, see our New Jersey legal help page.

The New Jersey Child Support Program can help with locating a parent, establishing paternity, setting up support, collecting payments, health care support, and changes when circumstances change. Start with NJ Child Support or our New Jersey child support help page.

If abuse is part of the problem, call a hotline from a safe phone if you can. New Jersey-funded domestic violence programs may help with advocacy, shelter, legal advocacy, basic needs, transportation, and counseling. Our New Jersey safe housing support page gives more safety-aware next steps. If an infant is less than 30 days old and a parent cannot safely care for the baby, New Jersey has a Safe Haven option.

Documents and information to gather

You may not need every document for every program. Keep copies on your phone and in a folder if it is safe to do so.

Local and nonprofit help

Community help in New Jersey is very local. A pantry may only serve one ZIP code. A rent fund may only serve one county. A church may only help once per year. A diaper program may require an appointment.

Community Action Agencies are a good local door because they may connect families with housing, energy, employment, education, and other support. New Jersey lists designated agencies through the state Community Action list. Services vary by county, so call and ask what is open now.

Also ask libraries, school social workers, Head Start staff, WIC clinics, pediatric offices, and Family Success Centers for local referrals. These people often know which programs are answering the phone this month.

If transportation is blocking you from help, ask NJ 211, your county office, or the program you are visiting about transportation help before you miss an appointment.