By: Follow South Jersey Staff

SOUTH JERSEY – New Jersey households that have suffered economic hardships due to the COVID-19 pandemic may be eligible for relief even if turned down from other assistance programs.

The Excluded New Jerseyans Fund (ENJF) provides a one-time, direct cash benefit to eligible households negatively affected by COVID-19 pandemic and who were excluded from both the federal stimulus checks and COVID related unemployment assistance. This includes undocumented individuals, residents re-entering from the justice system, and any other individuals otherwise excluded.

Eligible households will receive a benefit of up to $1,000 per eligible individuals and a max of $2,000 per household. Households with incomes up to $55,000 a year with documented hardship or lost income due to COVID-19 can apply. The funds will not affect the recipient’s taxes.

Economic hardship due to the pandemic includes loss of income due to reduced hours/lay off, an inability to work due to isolation/quarantine, your child’s remote school learning schedule, illness due to COVID-19 that led to an inability to pay bills due to loss of income.

Applicants must be 18 years of age and will need to demonstrate and present documentation to show that they were excluded from both the federal stimulus checks and COVID related unemployment assistance, impacted by COVID-19, have a household income that is at or below $55,000, as well as proof of identity and that they reside in New Jersey.

Funds will be distributed to approved applicants until funds are exhausted. The approved applicants can select the method of payment, the options are as follows: direct deposit, a check in the mail or a prepaid card.

Applications for this program are now open and will be processed in the order they are received and until funds are exhausted.

To apply for the Excluded New Jerseyans Fund, visit their website at https://nj.gov/humanservices/excludednjfund/.

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The original text of this article may be viewed here: https://followsouthjersey.com/2021/11/15/new-financial-assistance-available-for-nj-residents-not-eligible-for-other-covid-19-economic-relief-programs/