Essex County

Local offices in Essex County

We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.

• Human services · County office

  Essex County Division of Family Assistance and Benefits

  320 University Avenue, 2nd Floor, Newark, NJ 07102

  Help here

  • Cash and food assistanceApply for or get help with county cash and food assistance programs.
  Call 973-395-8000DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on nj.gov

• Community action · County office

  Essex County Division of Community Action

  Help here

  • Community action servicesContact the county agency for community action assistance and referrals.
  Call 973-395-8350Website

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on nj.gov

• Child support · County office

  Essex County Child Support Office

  212 Washington Street, 11th Floor, Newark, NJ

  Help here

  • Child support servicesGet help with child support services through the county office.
  DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on njchildsupport.org

• State office · City office

  City of Newark WIC Program

  110 William Street, Newark, NJ 07102

  Help here

  • WIC nutrition benefitsEligible families can apply for food benefits, nutrition education, and breastfeeding support.
  Call 973-733-7604DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on nj.gov

• Local office · Regional office

  NJ 211

  Help here

  • Community service referralsCall NJ 211 to find local help with housing, food, health care, and other needs.Read more
  Call 211Website

  Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on nj211.org

• Public health · County office

  Essex County Office of Public Health Management

  900 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona, NJ 07044

  Help here

  • Public health helpContact the county office for public health information and help.
  Call 973-877-8456DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on essexcountynjhealth.org

• Older adults · County office

  Essex County Division of Senior Services

  465 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Room 102, Newark, NJ 07102

  Help here

  • Aging and caregiver supportOlder adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers can get connected to local services and support.
  DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on wecare.essexcountynj.org

• Emergency help · County office

  Essex County Office of Emergency Management

  50 West Market Street, Newark, NJ 07102

  Help here

  • Emergency preparedness and responseGet county information about preparing for and responding to emergencies.
  Call 973-324-9750DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on essexsheriff.com

• Jobs and training · State office

  East Orange One-Stop Career Center

  50 South Clinton Street, 2nd Floor, East Orange, NJ 07018-3120

  Help here

  • Job search and training helpGet help finding work, improving job skills, preparing a resume, and exploring training.
  Call 973-395-3220DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on nj.gov

• Jobs and training · State office

  Newark One-Stop Career Center

  990 Mayor Kenneth A. Gibson Boulevard, Newark, NJ 07102

  Help here

  • Job search and training helpGet help finding work, improving job skills, preparing a resume, and exploring training.
  Call 973-648-3370DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on nj.gov

Essex County Government website

Checked on October 8, 2026

Nonprofits that serve Essex County

Each one serves this area. Call before you go, since services and hours change.

Cities and towns in Essex County

• Caldwell
• East Orange
• Essex Fells
• Glen Ridge
• Newark
• North Caldwell
• Roseland

New Jersey programs by kind of help

These are run by New Jersey and work the same everywhere in the state. Each page lists the programs and how to apply.

• FoodFood benefits, WIC, school meals and food banks.
• HousingRent help, shelter, and help with heat and power bills.
• HealthHealth coverage, Medicare, mental health care and help with drug costs.
• MoneyCash help, disability, retirement and veterans payments, and tax help.
• CareChild care, help for older adults and disability support.
• EducationHelp paying for college and training, and free preschool.
• WorkJobs, unemployment, and the IDs and papers you need for work.
• Legal helpFree legal help with eviction, family law, benefits and more.
• SafetyHelp with abuse at home, a safe place to stay, and crisis lines.

Checked on October 8, 2026

Federal help anyone can use

These come from the federal government, so they work the same in every state.

• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

  Social Security Administration. Monthly payments for people with little income and few resources who are 65 or older, blind, or have a disability, including children.

  Call 1-800-772-1213
• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

  Social Security Administration. Monthly payments for people who worked and paid Social Security taxes and now cannot work because of a disability that will last a long time.

  Call 1-800-772-1213
• Social Security retirement benefits

  Social Security Administration. Monthly payments for people who worked and paid Social Security taxes, starting as early as 62. Spouses and widows may also get benefits.

  Call 1-800-772-1213
• Medicare

  Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Health insurance for people 65 or older and for some younger people with a disability or kidney failure.

  Call 1-800-633-4227
• Extra Help with Medicare drug costs

  Social Security Administration. Help paying for Medicare prescription drug plans for people with limited income and resources.

  Call 1-800-772-1213
• VA health care

  U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Health care at VA clinics and hospitals for veterans who served in the active military and did not get a dishonorable discharge.

  Call 1-877-222-8387
• VA disability compensation and benefits

  U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Monthly payments for veterans with an illness or injury caused or made worse by military service, plus education, home loan and other benefits.

  Call 1-800-827-1000
• FAFSA, the federal student aid form

  U.S. Department of Education. One free form that opens federal grants, work-study and loans for college or trade school. Many states and schools use it for their own aid too.

  Call 1-800-433-3243
• Federal Pell Grant

  U.S. Department of Education. Money for college or trade school that usually does not have to be paid back, for students with financial need.

  Call 1-800-433-3243
• Lifeline phone and internet discount

  Federal Communications Commission. A monthly discount on phone or internet service for households with low income or who get benefits like SNAP, Medicaid or SSI.

  Call 1-800-234-9473
• Head Start and Early Head Start

  U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Free preschool, child care and family support for young children from birth to age 5 in families with low income, run by local programs.

  Call 1-866-763-6481
• IRS Free File

  Internal Revenue Service. File your federal tax return online for free with tax software offered through the IRS, if your income is under the year's limit.

• VITA and TCE free tax help

  Internal Revenue Service. IRS-certified volunteers prepare and file your taxes for free, in person, for people with low or moderate income, older adults and people with disabilities.

  Call 1-800-906-9887
• Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)

  Internal Revenue Service. A federal tax credit for people who work and earn low to moderate income. It can mean a bigger refund, even if you owe no tax.

  Call 1-800-829-1040
• Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8)

  U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Help paying rent in a home you choose, for families with very low income, older adults and people with disabilities. Local housing authorities run it, and many have waiting lists.

• Replace a Social Security card

  Social Security Administration. Get a free replacement Social Security card if yours was lost, stolen or damaged. Many people can ask online.

  Call 1-800-772-1213
• FEMA disaster assistance

  Federal Emergency Management Agency. Help with a place to stay, repairs and other needs after a disaster the President has declared in your area.

  Call 1-800-621-3362

Checked on October 9, 2026