We learned via a New Jersey based community member and organizer that there is now potentially $1000 to $2000 available to people previously denied COVID-19 Relief (and we know that includes many sex workers, immigrants and related communities) via the New Jersey DHS Excluded New Jerseyans fund. We have been going through the form to see who is in practice eligible and how our communities of highly excluded people might be able to engage with this Fund. Read our notes below before applying. If you are located in NJ and would like to get some pointers to apply, then contact us via our support form.
Relief application eligibility criteria (must meet all):
- Person is ineligible or was excluded from federal covid-19 stimulus checks and pandemic unemployment assistance.
- Person must have experienced financial hardship including: Loss of income due to reduced hours or complete layoff, inability to work due to quarantine, inability to work due to child’s remote learning schedule, personal/family illness from Covid-19. Inability to pay bills due to loss of income is stressed.
- Person’s household income must not exceed $55,000.
- Person is a New Jersey resident over the age of 18.
- ● Application is on a rolling basis, while funds last.
- ● Applicants may add additional adults and dependents on to their existing application.
- ● Application does not require an SSN or proof of citizenship, but does require proof of identity.
- ● Eligible persons may be awarded $1,000-$2,000.
- ● Applicants must legally attest to the fact that they were excluded from federal stimulus and pandemic unemployment assistance.
- ● Info provided on application not disclosed to other [state] government agencies.
- ● Applicants are asked to state the cause of their reduced income or lack of income.
- ● Application seems to favor awarding recipients who are currently behind on their bills, medical payments, or funeral expenses and can demonstrate so.
- Documents requested by the application:
- – Bank statements from April-May 2020, Dec 2020, and April-May 2021. (An application can still be submitted without a person having a bank account.)
- – Paystubs showing loss of income over 3-6 months during any period since March 2020.
- – Proof of rental or utility arrears.
- – Letter or eviction notice from a landlord.
- – Unpaid [medical] bills.
- – Proof of funeral expenses or death certificates.
- – Award letters from government social services agencies.
- – Proof of NJ residency, identity and age.
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