Last updated: June 19, 2026
Urgent help first
If you or your child are in immediate danger, call 911. If you can call safely, tell the dispatcher that domestic violence is involved, whether children are present, and whether there are weapons, injuries, threats, strangulation, stalking, or a need for medical help.
For confidential help in New Jersey, call the state domestic violence hotline at 1-800-572-SAFE (7233). New Jersey lists this hotline as available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for domestic violence victims and people seeking information about domestic violence services.
If speaking is not safe, use a safer phone or computer. You can also contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), text START to 88788, or use chat from a safer device. If you are Deaf or hard of hearing, New Jersey DCF says callers can use 1-877-294-4356 TTY to access hotlines. Native survivors can contact StrongHearts.
If you feel at risk of self-harm or cannot calm a mental health crisis, call or text 988 Lifeline. If a child is being abused or neglected, call New Jersey’s child abuse hotline at 1-877-NJ ABUSE (1-877-652-2873).
Bottom line
New Jersey has domestic violence help, but it is split across hotlines, county programs, courts, legal aid, housing, benefits, child care agencies, and victim-compensation offices. Talk with a domestic violence advocate before you file papers, move, contact the other parent, change school pickup lists, or give an agency a new address.
A local advocate may be able to help you think through shelter, transportation, court protection, child safety, benefits, work leave, safe communication, and backup options. Help is not guaranteed, but you do not have to know every system before you call.
This guide is not legal advice or a personal safety plan. It is a practical map so you know which door to try first and what to ask for. For a national overview, see ASMOM’s domestic violence help. For state benefits, see New Jersey help.
Where to start in New Jersey
When you are scared, tired, or trying to protect children, it is easy to start with the wrong office. Use the safest option for your situation. If you are being monitored, ask for help using a safer phone or computer.
If home is unsafe now
Call 911 if danger is immediate. If you can plan one step ahead, call 1-800-572-SAFE and ask for a local advocate, shelter screening, transportation ideas, and help with children.
If you need court protection
Use the NJ Courts DV page to understand temporary and final restraining orders. During court hours, contact the Family Division. After hours, local police can help connect you with an on-call judge.
If you need shelter
Start with the statewide hotline or search county DV programs. These programs can explain what is open, what is safe, and what to bring.
If you need food or cash
Use NJHelps for SNAP, Work First New Jersey, General Assistance, and NJ FamilyCare screening. Tell the county if abuse affects child support, work activity, documents, mail, or safe contact.
For related ASMOM guides, keep emergency help, community support, and New Jersey legal help nearby.
Safer device reminder
Phones, shared cloud accounts, location sharing, browser history, and children’s devices can reveal information. If you think you are being watched, ask an advocate before making a visible change that could increase danger.
Quick reference table
| Need | Best first door | What to ask | Reality check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Danger right now | 911 | Ask for emergency help and say domestic violence is involved. | Use the safest way to call. Do not wait for documents. |
| Confidential DV support | 1-800-572-SAFE | Ask for a local advocate, shelter screening, and safety options. | Bed space and local services can change by day. |
| Restraining order | Family Division or police | Ask how to file for a Temporary Restraining Order. | A final hearing is a court process; legal help can matter. |
| Safe address | Address Confidentiality Program | Ask whether ACP fits your situation after relocation. | It does not erase addresses already in public records. |
| Food, cash, health coverage | NJHelps | Ask about SNAP, WFNJ, GA, and NJ FamilyCare. | County follow-up and documents are often required. |
| Child care | ChildCareNJ or CCR&R | Ask about CCAP, provider search, and safe transfer needs. | Rules and document needs can vary by family situation. |
Restraining orders in New Jersey
New Jersey courts use Temporary Restraining Orders, called TROs, and Final Restraining Orders, called FROs. A TRO may be requested quickly when there is immediate need for protection. A final hearing lets both sides present testimony and evidence. A final restraining order does not have an automatic end date unless a court changes it.
You may be able to apply based on the relationship, such as a spouse, former spouse, current or former household member, person you share a child with, person you are expecting a child with, or someone you had a dating relationship with.
During regular court hours, contact the Family Division in the county where you live, where the other person lives, where the incident happened, or where you are staying. If court is closed, local police can help contact an on-call judge. A TRO can address no-contact rules, protected places, children, support, weapons, pets, and needed belongings.
Legal reality check
This guide cannot tell you whether to file, what to say in court, or whether to dismiss an order. For legal help, contact LSNJ restraining orders, your county domestic violence program, or a private attorney. If custody, immigration, housing, firearms, or criminal charges are involved, get legal advice as soon as possible.
| Step | Where it happens | What to prepare | Ask for help with |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ask about a TRO | Family Division or local police after hours | Dates, incidents, children’s needs, safe contact details | Filing by phone, interpreter help, advocate support |
| Review temporary terms | Court or police process | Safe address, school and child care pickup, needed belongings | Custody, parenting time, no-contact, weapons, housing |
| Prepare for FRO hearing | Superior Court | Texts, photos, reports, witnesses, medical notes if safe to gather | Legal aid, adjournment questions, safe waiting area |
| After an order | Court, police, child’s school | Copies of the order and safe pickup instructions | School safety plan, address protection, child support |
Shelter, housing, and safe places to stay
The New Jersey Division on Women funds domestic violence programs that can provide or connect survivors with housing, shelter, rental assistance, basic needs, 24-hour hotline and emergency response, advocacy, transportation, interpretation, legal advocacy, counseling, and children’s services.
Use the DCF service list or the NJCEDV county program search to find the lead program near you. If a shelter is full, ask about nearby counties, hotel options, safety planning without shelter, transportation, pet safety, and what to do if you cannot leave today.
If you rent and need to leave because staying is unsafe, ask legal aid or an advocate about the New Jersey Safe Housing Act. Legal Services of New Jersey explains that this law may let a domestic violence victim or a child of the victim end a lease early when legal requirements are met. Do not guess on the paperwork; review LSNJ safe housing guidance first.
If you live in subsidized housing, public housing, or a voucher unit, ask the housing authority about emergency transfer options and federal VAWA housing protections. For general rent, shelter, food, utilities, and local referrals, NJ 211 can help you find nearby programs while you work with a domestic violence advocate.
For broader housing information, see ASMOM New Jersey housing help and utility help.
Money, food, health coverage, and victim compensation
Domestic violence can cut off income, food, transportation, child care, documents, and safe mail. Tell each office if abuse affects documents, child support, work activities, your old address, or calls from a shared phone.
NJHelps can screen and start applications for SNAP food help, Work First New Jersey cash assistance, General Assistance, and NJ FamilyCare/Medicaid. If you apply for WFNJ/TANF and abuse makes child support cooperation, work activity, appointments, or contact unsafe, ask about the Family Violence Option, good cause, and safe-contact rules. For benefit details, see ASMOM New Jersey SNAP, New Jersey TANF, and health coverage.
The New Jersey Victims of Crime Compensation Office may help eligible crime victims with certain costs. The VCCO victims page lists possible compensation areas, including medical, counseling, relocation, funeral, lost earnings, loss of support, daycare, domestic help, transportation, and certain other costs. VCCO application instructions list phone help at 877-658-2221 and 973-648-2107. Claims have rules, proof requirements, and deadlines, so ask a victim-witness advocate for help.
| Program | What it may help with | Where to start | Important caution |
|---|---|---|---|
| SNAP | Food benefits on an EBT card | NJHelps or county social services | Ask about faster processing if you have very low resources. |
| WFNJ/TANF | Cash help and support services for eligible families | NJHelps or county social services | Ask about domestic violence good-cause or waiver issues. |
| NJ FamilyCare | Free or low-cost health coverage | NJHelps or NJ FamilyCare | Adult and child rules can differ. |
| VCCO | Crime-related costs if eligible | VCCO online or paper claim | Keep receipts, reports, bills, and safe contact information. |
| Child support | Support order, enforcement, or modification | NJ Child Support or court | Ask about safety and good cause before opening a case if danger may rise. |
If child support is part of the problem, do not push yourself into unsafe contact. Read ASMOM New Jersey child support and ask legal aid or a domestic violence advocate before taking steps that could expose your location.
Work, school, and child care when abuse disrupts life
New Jersey workers dealing with domestic or sexual violence may have more than one work-related protection. The NJDOL survivor page says some workers may use earned sick leave, paid leave benefits, and up to 20 days of unpaid job-protected leave under the New Jersey SAFE Act. Employers generally must provide up to 40 hours of earned sick leave per year for covered workers, but eligibility and documentation rules matter.
If you need time off for court, medical care, counseling, relocation, child safety, or legal steps, ask your employer only for what is needed and safe to share. If your employer refuses or exposes private information, contact legal aid or the New Jersey Department of Labor.
For child care, New Jersey’s CCAP page says the Child Care Assistance Program helps some income-eligible parents who are working, in school, or in training. If you must change providers because of safety, ask your CCR&R what documents they need and whether they can help you find a safer provider.
If your child’s school needs to know about a restraining order, custody order, pickup restrictions, or safe contact person, ask the school for its safety process. Bring a copy of the order if safe. For related needs, see ASMOM New Jersey child care, transportation help, and baby supplies.
Privacy, safe mail, and documents
Ask an advocate before changing addresses, benefits accounts, school pickup lists, court papers, or child support information. New Jersey’s Address Confidentiality Program provides a legal substitute address for eligible survivors and can help protect future exposure of home, work, or school locations. It cannot remove addresses already public.
Bring documents only if you can do so safely. Help is still worth asking for if you left without papers. Many agencies can help replace documents or explain safer ways to submit proof. For a broader benefits folder, use ASMOM documents checklist.
| Item | Why it helps | If you do not have it |
|---|---|---|
| ID for you | Benefits, shelter intake, court, banking | Ask about replacement ID or alternate proof. |
| Children’s birth certificates | School, benefits, custody, health care | Ask school, county office, or advocate what can be used temporarily. |
| Benefits cards or case numbers | SNAP, Medicaid, child care, cash help | Call the office from a safe phone and ask how to secure the case. |
| Lease or housing papers | Rent help, emergency transfer, safe housing questions | Ask landlord-tenant legal aid before contacting a landlord if unsafe. |
| Texts, photos, reports | May help court or VCCO claims | Do not risk harm to collect proof. Ask an advocate first. |
Common mistakes to avoid
- Waiting for perfect proof. You can ask for hotline, shelter, legal, and benefit help even if your documents are not complete.
- Using unsafe contact details. Before filing forms, ask how the agency will contact you. Use a safe phone, email, mailing address, or advocate contact when appropriate.
- Missing court. If you have a hearing and cannot attend because of child care, illness, transportation, or safety, call the court as early as you can and ask what options exist.
- Assuming benefits rules are the same for everyone. Domestic violence, immigration status, disability, pregnancy, children’s ages, work history, and county practice can change the next step.
- Calling child support without safety advice. Child support can help, but it can also raise risk in some cases. Ask about good cause and safe address options.
What to do if you are denied, delayed, ignored, or overwhelmed
If a hotline is busy, call again from a safe phone or try the county domestic violence program. If a benefits office asks for papers you cannot safely get, say that domestic violence is affecting your ability to provide documents and ask for a supervisor, advocate, or written list of acceptable alternatives.
If a court, landlord, school, employer, or benefits office gives confusing instructions, write down the date, name, phone number, and what was said. Ask for the instruction in writing, then contact legal aid, your county domestic violence program, or NJ 211.
For broader appeals and benefits problems, ASMOM’s denied benefits guide can help you organize next steps.
Short phone scripts
Calling the domestic violence hotline
I am a single mother in New Jersey. I need confidential help. I may need shelter or safety planning, and I need to know what help exists in my county. Can you connect me with a local advocate?
Calling Family Division
I need to ask about filing for a Temporary Restraining Order. I need a safe way to give my contact information. Can you explain how to file by phone or in person today?
Calling county social services
I am applying for SNAP or WFNJ. Domestic violence is affecting my housing, mail, child support, and documents. Can I speak with someone about good cause, safe contact, and urgent need?
Calling child care help
I need child care help, and safety is part of the reason. Can you tell me how to apply for CCAP, change providers safely, and submit documents without exposing my location?
Resumen en español
Si usted o sus hijos están en peligro inmediato, llame al 911. Para ayuda confidencial sobre violencia doméstica en New Jersey, llame al 1-800-572-SAFE (7233). Puede pedir ayuda para refugio, apoyo local, corte, transporte, beneficios, comida, cuidado de niños y seguridad.
Si necesita una orden de restricción, comuníquese con la División de Familia de la corte durante horas laborales. Si la corte está cerrada, la policía local puede ayudarle a iniciar el proceso. Si necesita comida, dinero o seguro médico, use NJHelps y diga si la violencia doméstica afecta su caso.
Esta guía es información general. No es consejo legal ni un plan de seguridad. Si puede, hable con una defensora de violencia doméstica o una oficina de ayuda legal.
FAQ
What number should I call for domestic violence help in New Jersey?
Call 1-800-572-SAFE (7233) for the New Jersey Domestic Violence Hotline. It is listed by the state as a 24/7 hotline for victims and people seeking information about domestic violence services.
Can I get a restraining order if I have children with the abuser?
New Jersey courts say a person can apply based on several relationships, including someone you have a child with or are expecting a child with. Ask the Family Division or legal aid about your exact situation.
Can a restraining order include custody or child support?
A restraining order case may involve child custody, child support, and parenting time questions. It is smart to ask legal aid or a domestic violence advocate for help before the hearing.
Can I leave my lease because of domestic violence?
New Jersey has a Safe Housing Act that may let some domestic violence victims end a lease early when legal requirements are met. Talk with Legal Services of New Jersey or a domestic violence advocate before sending notice if you can.
Can I get food, cash, or health coverage while dealing with abuse?
Yes, you can apply for SNAP, Work First New Jersey, General Assistance, and NJ FamilyCare through NJHelps. Tell the office if domestic violence affects documents, work, child support, mail, or safe contact.
What if I do not have my documents?
Ask for help anyway. Explain that you left because of safety and cannot safely get certain papers. Advocates, courts, benefit offices, and legal aid may be able to explain safer proof options.
About this guide
This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources mentioned in the article.
A Single Mother is independent and is not a government agency, benefits office, lender, law firm, medical provider, or tax advisor.
Program rules, funding, local availability, and eligibility can change. Always confirm details with the official program before you apply or make decisions.
Verification: Last verified June 19, 2026, next review September 19, 2026.
Corrections: If you see something wrong or outdated, email suggestions@asinglemother.org.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. It is not legal, financial, medical, tax, immigration, disability, safety, or government-agency advice.