Newsletter 2007

The Bergen County Board of Social Services will be closed on the following dates:

Tuesday February 12, 2008 - Lincoln's Birthday
Monday February 18, 2008 - President's Day
Friday March 21, 2008 - Good Friday
Monday May 26, 2008 - Memorial Day
Friday July 4, 2008 - Independance Day
Monday September 1, 2008 - Labor Day

All visitors to our building are to park directly in front of the building
across from main entrance or on the side of the building in spots that
are marked in yellow with BCBSS.

In an effort to better meet the needs of our clients, the Bergen County Board of Social Services is open one evening per week.

Every Tuesday, the Bergen County Board of Social Services will remain open from 8:00A.M. until 8:00 P.M. so that we may more conveniently take applications for the programs our agency administers.

If you reach your five-year time limit on cash assistance, here are some important things you should know:

· You may be able to get an exemption from the time limit if you are permanently disabled, the only caretaker of a disabled person, a victim of family/domestic violence, chronically unemployable or over the age of 60.

· If you do not qualify for an exemption from the time limit, you may qualify for SAIF, a new program where you will still receive your cash grant plus support services you need. You will still be required to work or participate in a work activity. A case manager will keep in close contact with you to help you get a job and leave welfare.

1. You have cooperated with Work First NJ requirements and you have tried to get a job but are still unemployed.

2. You have experienced family/domestic violence, were sick or deferred from participating in Work First NJ work-related activities for 12 months or longer, are currently deferred due to illness or are six or more months pregnant.

3. You have just lost your job through no fault of your own or because you couldn’t find child care or transportation.

To apply for services under SAIF, you must submit an application to the Board of Social Services or your Municipal Welfare Office. You must continue to work or participate in a work activity. In return, you may receive up to 24 more months of cash benefits, plus services such as child care and transportation. If needed, mental health services and substance abuse treatment may also be available.

· New Jersey Department of Human Services
Division of Youth and Family Services

On July 1, 2004, for the first time, people from all across the State of New Jersey will be able to call one toll free telephone number, any time of the day or night, to report suspected child abuse or neglect. This is a dramatic improvement from present practice. Before the advent of this statewide toll free hotline, police, teachers, doctors, nurses, neighbors and others who saw signs that a child might need help, had to call one of over 30 District Offices during business hours or a different number after 5 p.m. and on weekends.

· Better reporting: Suspected abuse or neglect will more likely get reported because everyone will know how to make a report.

· More Consistent Outcomes: Trained hotline screeners will make decisions that are more consistent across the state and from case to case.

· Lower-risk reports will be diverted to more appropriate referrals: Fewer cases will be referred for abuse or neglect investigations as reports of problems with lower levels of risk to a child will be referred to appropriate services.

· Prompt investigations of abuse or neglect allegations: Hotline screeners will be trained to get complete information rapidly so response priorities can be set (i.e. immediate response or within 24 hours of the call) and investigators can get into the field with effective, efficient investigations as quickly as possible.

In New Jersey, every citizen - every teacher, doctor and neighbor - every person who comes into contact with a child and observes behavior or conditions that might indicate abuse or neglect is required by law to report their suspicions. Then, state authorities can investigate and take appropriate action.

CALL HELP LINE 646-3676 OR 343-6543 - HELP LINE is an Information and Referral service of the Community Resource Council, a non-profit agency funded by the County of Bergen and the United Way of Bergen County.

LLAME al 646-3676 o 343-6543 - LINEA de ASISTENCIA es un servicio de informacion y referencias del Community Resource Council, una agencia sin fines de lucro financiada por el Condado de Bergen y United Way.

Need to contact your HMO? Customer assistance phone numbers for New Jersey's Medical Assistance HMOs are listed here.

AMERICHOICE

Multi-lingual Member Services Staff

1-800-941-4647 (English)

1-800-943-4647 (Español)

24 hours, every day

TDD 1-800-852-7897 24 hours, every day

HORIZON NJ HEALTH

Multi-lingual Member Services Helpline

24 hours, 7 days a week

1-877-765-4325

TDD 1-800-684-5505

AMERIGROUP

1-800-600-4441 Multi-lingual Member Services

TTY/TDD 1-800-852-7899

UNIVERSITY HEALTH PLAN

Multi-lingual - English, Spanish, Portuguese.

1-800-564-6847 24 hours, 7 days a week

TDD 1-800-414-7592

If you have questions about choosing an HMO or changing your HMO, contact the

NEW JERSEY STATE HEALTH BENEFITS COORDINATOR:
1-800-701-0710

or NJ MEDICAID/MEDICAL ASSISTANCE HOTLINE: 1-800-356-1561

If you experience any problems with your EBT Card, such as: your card is lost, damaged, stolen or any other questions you might have. Please call the EBT Hotline right away at:

It’s easier than ever to apply for Food Stamps in New Jersey. The online application is fast and completely private. Simply log onto https://foodstamps.dhs.state.nj.us from any computer with internet access. Enter your name, birth date, address, social security number, monthly rent and expenses. In as little as five minutes your application is complete.

In a few days, you will receive a letter requesting that you come in for a face-to-face interview. You will need to bring identification, proof of monthly income, resources and expenses.

Food Stamp Benefits

Can Buy:

Foods for you and your household to eat, such as:
bread and cereals;
fruits and vegetables;
meats, fish and poultry; and
dairy products.
Seeds and plants which produce food for you and your household to eat.

Food Stamp Benefits

Cannot Buy:

Beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes or tobacco.
Any nonfood items, such as:
pet foods;
soaps, paper products; and
household supplies.
Vitamins and medicines.
Food that will be eaten in the store.
Hot foods.

· Retailers shall not collect state or local sales taxes on purchases made with food stamp benefits.

The Bergen County Board of Social Services does not charge a fee for its services or endorse any individual or establishment performing services to the general public as to the quality of skill in performance of these services. Please be advised that independent inquiry should be made by you to determine that the quality of performance meets your approval.