Program Description
New Jersey's welfare reform program, Work First New Jersey (WFNJ), was initiated in April 1997, following the passage of sweeping Federal reforms in 1996, known as the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act. Under the Act, the Federal program for families became known as Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF). Under the supervision of the NJ Division of Family Development (DFD), WFNJ provides temporary cash assistance and many other support services to families through the TANF program. WFNJ emphasizes work as the first step toward building a new life and a brighter future. Our goal is to help people get off welfare, secure employment and become self-sufficient through job training, education and work activities.
General Program Requirements
In order to qualify for this benefit program, you must be a resident of New Jersey, either pregnant or responsible for a child under 19 years of age, a U.S. national, citizen, legal alien, or permanent resident, have low or very low income, and be either under-employed (working for very low wages), unemployed or about to become unemployed.
Your Next Steps
The following information will lead you to the next steps to apply for this benefit.
Application Process
There are 21 county welfare agencies within New Jersey who administer the TANF program. To determine whether you are eligible for Work First New Jersey benefits and to apply, contact your county welfare agency. A complete list of the agencies is available by clicking on the link below:
http://www.nj.gov/humanservices/dfd/programs/njsnap/cwa/
Program Contact Information
