Human Services Commissioner Sarah Adelman recently announced that the Department has made more Navigators available in more counties to help individuals who want to apply or already participate in the state’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This includes individuals from Warren, Sussex and Hunterdon counties.

SNAP Navigators can help answer questions about the SNAP food assistance program and can help people apply for SNAP benefits. Previously, SNAP Navigators from three agencies served portions of the state. 

Now, there are 11 agencies with SNAP Navigators available to assist residents throughout New Jersey, with one more agency starting this service in January 2023. 

“Families struggling to put food on the table should not also struggle to access help. Now in every county, SNAP navigators are a free and confidential one-stop to help New Jerseyans access food assistance. By expanding this service, vital SNAP assistance is more reachable for all New Jersey families,” said Commissioner Adelman. 

“We are very appreciative of the partnership we have with the agencies serving as SNAP Navigators. They not only provide direct assistance to eligible families and individuals, they also raise awareness through community education events about SNAP. Through these efforts, we hope to link more individuals to food assistance,” said Deputy Commissioner of Social Services Elisa Neira. 

“Along with our new streamlined online application, the expansion of the SNAP Navigator program will help to make food available to more SNAP eligible New Jersey residents struggling to buy groceries.” said Assistant Commissioner Natasha Johnson, who directs Human Services’ Division of Family Development, which is responsible for the SNAP program. 

Norwescap has a long-standing commitment to combatting food insecurity. Its Food Bank, located in Phillipsburg, distributes nutritious food through a large network of food pantries and other partners. Norwescap also provides supplemental nutritional assistance to pregnant women and mothers of young children through the New Jersey Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women Infants and Children (WIC). 

“Both the Norwescap Food Bank efforts and WIC Program are vital tools in the work to combat food insecurity, but both are limited in their reach,” states Mark Valli, CEO of Norwescap. “By adding the SNAP Navigator program to our array of services, we are broadening our support of food insecure individuals, children and families in a way that is comprehensive and sustainable, adding a critical resource that will help them on their journey from being in crisis to thriving.” 

The Department recently commemorated Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, which with a series of videos highlighting SNAP, SNAP-Ed, SNAP Navigators and the Food Bank of South Jersey to raise awareness about the supports and services available to individuals and families in need of food assistance. The videos can be viewed on the DHS YouTube channel. You can apply for SNAP online, in-person or by calling your local board of social services, or through a SNAP Navigator. 

For more information about SNAP in Warren, Sussex and Hunterdon email SNAP@Norwescap.org or call 908-388-5944. 

For more information about SNAP, visit NJSNAP.gov. 

As of November 2022, there are around 745,000 individuals enrolled in SNAP. 

The Murphy administration has made fighting hunger and strengthening food security a top priority. Human Services has distributed more than $2 billion in additional monthly SNAP payments to help low-income families afford food and other essentials. New Jersey is the first state to set a SNAP minimum benefit of $95, which required an $18 million investment in State funds. This year, the Department also forgave debt for certain families previously enrolled in public benefit programs, like SNAP, as consistent with federal rules. The intent of the initiative was to help ease the financial burden this debt posed for thousands of families and allow them to achieve greater economic stability. 

Originally established in 1965, Norwescap has evolved into a comprehensive nonprofit organization providing services to over 30,000 individuals in New Jersey annually. The organization offers a broad array of services that support and empower people with low to moderate income, helping them move away from the crisis of poverty and towards a future where they can thrive. Norwescap programs address immediate needs and build strategies for long term success, focusing on education, employment, financial empowerment, health and nutrition, housing and community development, and volunteerism and civic engagement.