LSNJLAW SM

Find Free NJ Legal Information

Welcome to the LSNJLAWSM website, provided by Legal Services of New Jersey (LSNJ). LSNJ is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit offering free civil legal assistance to low-income people in New Jersey. Find legal information by clicking on a legal topic or typing a few words into the search box.

LAW Home > Legal Topics > Government Aid and Services > Disaster Assistance

Document Replacement, Resources, and Other Help

 

  • Employment

    • If you are unemployed due to your employer closing due to the recent floods, you may be eligible for Unemployment Insurance. Visit the Unemployment Insurance website where you may be able to apply for benefits online.

    • Job search assistance services are offered by New Jersey's One-Stop Career Center. For the location of the nearest One Stop Center, search online at the NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development website.

    • The NJ State Department of Labor has three call centers if you need to apply for Unemployment Insurance benefits. There are three re-employment centers in:

      • Hudson (northeast NJ): 201-601-4100
      • Freehold (northewest NJ and central NJ): 732-761-2020
      • Cumberland (southern NJ): 856-507-2340

        OR file online at the NJ State Department of Labor's website.

  • Document Replacement

    • NJ Drivers License or ID
      Flood victims who wish to obtain a New Jersey Drivers License or ID will be required to meet the New Jersey documentation requirements. Visit the State of New Jersey's Motor Vehicle Commission website to download forms for new registration or driver's license.

    • Social Security Card
      Anyone receiving Social Security payments that have been interrupted can go to any Social Security office to get an emergency payment. For information about changing mailing addresses, obtaining a new card, direct deposit, or locating the nearest Social Security office, call 1-800-772-1213 or visit Social Security Online.

    • Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
      Flood victims who already receive SSI and SSDI should contact the Social Security Administration directly at (800) 772-1213 to learn how checks may be reissued, cards replaced or to report a change in address.

  • Pets – Once you and your pets return to your home, be careful about allowing your pets outdoors unattended and off-leash. The floods may have altered familiar scents and landmarks and your pet could easily get confused and become lost.

    In addition, sharp objects, downed electric lines, fallen trees and other debris or contaminated water could present real danger to your pet. Raccoons, skunks or other wild animals may have entered the area and could present danger to your pets.

    If any animals are lost during the disaster, contact veterinarians, humane societies, pet shelters, and other facilities that might house animals. Be prepared to identify and document ownership when claiming lost livestock. The United States Department of Agriculture Missing Pet Network website.

  • Flood Water Clean-up – In an emergency call 911. If you, a family member or others are in immediate danger or your property is threatened by flood, fire or downed power lines call 911 immediately. For general information, contact NJ Office of Emergency Management or contact the Center for Disease Control.

    Inside the Home Clean-up

    • Keep children and pets out of the affected area until cleanup has been completed.
    • Wear rubber boots, rubber gloves, and goggles during cleanup of affected area.
    • Remove and discard items that cannot be washed and disinfected (such as, mattresses, carpeting, carpet padding, rugs, upholstered furniture, cosmetics, stuffed animals, baby toys, pillows, foam-rubber items, books, wall coverings, and most paper products).
    • Remove and discard drywall and insulation that has been contaminated with sewage or flood waters.
    • Thoroughly clean all hard surfaces (such as flooring, concrete, molding, wood and metal furniture, countertops, appliances, sinks, and other plumbing fixtures) with hot water and laundry or dish detergent.
    • Help the drying process by using fans, air conditioning units, and dehumidifiers.
    • After completing the cleanup, wash your hands with soap and water. Use water that has been boiled for 1 minute (allow the water to cool before washing your hands).
    • Or you may use water that has been disinfected for personal hygiene use (solution of ? teaspoon of household bleach per 1 gallon of water). Let it stand for 30 minutes. If the water is cloudy, use a solution of ¼ teaspoon of household bleach per 1 gallon of water.
    • Wash all clothes worn during the cleanup in hot water and detergent. These clothes should be washed separately from uncontaminated clothes and linens.
    • Wash clothes contaminated with flood or sewage water in hot water and detergent. It is recommended that a Laundromat be used for washing large quantities of clothes and linens until your onsite waste-water system has been professionally inspected and serviced.
    • Seek immediate medical attention if you become injured or ill.
  • Utilities – To report problems with utilities or when utilities need to be shut off during reconstruction, please refer to the following numbers:

    • Help with Electrical Service

      Sussex, Passaic, Morris, Warren and Hunterdon Counties:
      First Energy (JCP&L)
      1-888-478-2300
      1-800-662-3115 (general info)
      TTY 1-800-221-0479

      Parts of Passaic and Bergen Counties:
      Orange and Rockland
      1-877-434-4100

      Mercer, Essex and Bergen Counties:
      Public Service Electric & Gas
      1-800-436-7734 (general information)
      1-800-357-2262 (payment assistance)

      Gloucester County:
      Atlantic City Electric
      1-800-833-7476
      TTY 1-800-822-1200

    • Natural Gas

      Sussex, Warren and Hunterdon Counties:
      NUI/Elizabethtown Gas
      1-800-242-5830

      Mercer, Essex and Bergen Counties:
      Public Service Electric & Gas
      1-800-436-7734 (general information)
      1-800-357-2262 (payment assistance)

      Morris County:
      NJ Natural Gas Company
      1-800-221-0051
      TTY 1-800-223-0024

    • Phone Issues

      AT&T
      1-800-288-2747  

      Verizon
      1-800-427-9977
      TTY 1-800-974-6006

      Sprint
      1-800-788-3600

    • Water Supply Problems

      Hunterdon, Warren, Morris, Essex, Bergen, Passaic and Sussex Counties:
      Water North
      1-973-656-4099

      Mercer County:
      Water Central
      1-609-584-4200

      Gloucester County:
      Water South
      1-856-614-3655

      Warren County:
      Aqua NJ Water Company
      1-908-859-4800

  • County Flood Resources Contact Information 

County Flood Resources

County

Service

Agency Name

Contact Information

Eligibility, Reqiurements, Etc.

Bergen

Food

Loaves and Fishes

66 Palisades Ave., Garfield
973-253-8557

 

 

3rd Saturday, 10:00am to 12:00pm

 

 

Center for Food Action

 

316 First Street, Hackensack
201-883-9375

 

 

MO-TH, 9:30am to 3:00pm; FR., 9:30am to 2:00pm

 

Volunteer

Volunteer Center of Bergen County

201-489-9454

Call or Register online

 

Document Replacement

County Clerk

201-336-7000
Bergen County website

 

 

United Way/Unmet Needs

United Way of Bergen County

201-261-2806

United Way Compassion Fund. Call 2-1-1 for information

 

Mold Problem

Bergen County Dept. of Health

201-634-2780

 

 

Legal Services

Northeast New Jersey Legal Services

61 Kansas Street, Hackensack
201-487-2166

 

 

 

County Assistance Program

Board of Social Services

218 Rt. 17 N., Rochelle Park
201-368-7677 or
Bergen Co. Board of Social Services

MO, W, TH, FR, 8:00am to 4:30pm; TU, 8:00am to 8:00pm

Burlington

Document Replacement

County Clerk

609-265-5122 or
County Clerk website

 

 

United Way

United Way of Burlington County

609-267-4500

 

 

Mold Problem

Burlington County Health Deptartment

609- 265-5543

 

 

Legal Services

South Jersey Legal Services

107 High Street, Mt. Holly
609-261-1088

 

 

 

County Assistance Program

Board of Social Services

795 Woodlane Rd., Westhampton

 

MO, W, FR, 8:00am to 5:30pm; TU & TH, 8:00am to 6:30pm

Essex

Document Replacement

County Clerk

 

 

United Way

United Way of Essex and West Hudson

973-624-8300

 

 

Mold Problem

Essex County Regional Health Commission

973-325-3212

 

 

Legal Services

Essex-Newark Legal Services

5 Commerce Street, 2nd Floor, Newark
973-824-3000 or 973-624-4500

 

 

 

County Assistance Program

Citizen Service Center

18 Rector Street, Newark
973-733-2468

 

MO, TU, TH, FR, 7:30am to 4:00pm; W, 7:30am to 7:00pm; SA, 9:00am to 12:00pm

Hudson

Document Replacement

County Clerk

201-795-2116

 

 

United Way

United Way of Hudson County

201-434-2625

 

 

Mold Problem

Hudson County Regional Health Commission

201-223-1133

 

 

Legal Services

Northeast New Jersey Legal Services

574 Summit Ave., Jersey City
201-792-6363

 

 

 

County Assistance Program

Board of Social Services

94 Washington Street, Hoboken
201-420-2012

 

Middlesex

Document Replacement

County Clerk

 

 

United Way

United Way of Central Jersey

732-247-3727

 

 

Mold Problem

Middlesex County Public Health Department

732-745-8481

 

 

Legal Services

Central Jersey Legal Services

317 George Suite 201, New Brunswick
732-249-7600 or

313 State Street, Suite 308, Perth Amboy
732-324-1613

 

 

County Assistance Program

Dept. of Human Services

JFK Square, Bayard & Kilpatrick Streets, New Brunswick
732-745-3500

MO-FR, 8:30am to 4:15pm

Morris

Document Replacement

County Clerk

973-285-6120

 

 

United Way

United Way of Morris County

973-993-1160

 

 

Mold Problem

Morris County Health Department

973-631-5485

 

 

Legal Services

Legal Services of Northwest New Jersey

30 Schuyler Place, 2nd Floor, P.O. Box 900, Morristown
973-285-6911

 

 

County Assistance Program

Dept. of Human Services

340 W. Hanover Ave., Morristown
973-326-7800

MO-FR, 8:30am to 4:30pm

Passaic

Food

CUMAC/ECHO

223 Ellison St, Paterson
973-742-5518

MO-FR, 8:30am to 1:30pm

 

 

Father English Community Center

435 Main Street, Paterson
973-881-0127

 

MO-FR, 8:30am to 12:00pm. Familes must register.

 

 

Love of Jesus Church

385 Boulevard, Paterson

W, 10:00am to 12:00pm

 

 

Hispanic Multi-Purpose Service Center

911 E 23rd St, Paterson

 

MO, W, TH, 1:00pm to 3:00pm

 

 

Catholic Charities

 

 

 

 

Clothing/Furniture

Father English Community Center

435 Main Street, Paterson
973-881-0127

 

 

 

Hispanic Multi-Purpose Service Center

911 E 23rd St, Paterson

Clothes, Furniture

 

Volunteers

United Way of Passaic County

973-279-8900, Ext. 206

 

 

Document Replacement

County Clerk

973-225-3625

 

 

 

United Way

United Way of Passaic County

973-279-8900

 

 

 

Mold Problem

Passaic County Health Department

973-225-3644

 

 

Cleaning Supplies

American Red Cross

Service Center, PNC Building, 1 Garrett Mountain Plaza
(off Rt. 80 at Squirrelroad exit)

 

 

Legal Services

Northeast New Jersey Legal Services

152 Market Street, Paterson
973-523-2900

 

 

 

County Assistance Program

Board of Social Services

80 Hamilton Street, Paterson
973-991-0100

MO-FR, 7:30am to 4:30pm

Somerset

Housing

Somerset County Board of Social Services

908-526-8800

 

 

 

 

Catholic Charities

908-722-1881

 

 

 

Somerset County Coalition of Affordable Housing

908-704-9235

 

 

 

Home/Sharing Program

908-526-4663

 

 

 

Food

Food Bank Network of Somerset County

9 Easy Street, Bound Brook (Off Chimney Rock Road)
732-560-1813

M-F, 9:00am to 4:00pm

 

 

Franklin Township Food Bank

Millstone Road, Somerset
732-246-0009

 

MO-TH, 12:00pm to 3:00pm; SA, 10:00am to 12:00pm, Client Services

M-TH, 10:00am to 3:00pm and SA 10:00am to 12:00pm, Donations Accepted

 

 

Salvation Army

108 Hamilton Street

 

 

Clean-up

Somerset County United Way

908-253-6520

Leave name and contact number and call will be returned

 

 

To volunteer in Manville

 

[email protected]

 

 

Document Replacement

County Clerk

908-231-7006

 

 

United Way

Somerset County United Way

908-253-6520

 

 

Mold Problem

Somerset County Division of Health

908-231-7155

 

 

 

Legal Services

Legal Services of Northwest New Jersey

34 West Main Street, Suite 301, Somerville
908-231-0840

 

 

County Assistance Program

Board of Social Services

73 East High Street, Somerville
908-526-8800

MO-FR, 8:15am to 6:00pm

Union

Document Replacement

County Clerk

908-527-4794

 

 

United Way

United Way of Greater Union County

908-353-7171

 

 

Mold Problem

Union County Bureau of Environmental Health Enforcement

908-654-9890

 

 

Legal Services

Central Jersey Legal Services

60 Prince Street, Elizabeth
908-354-4340

 

 

County Assistance Program

Board of Social Services

Elizabeth - 908-965-2700
Plainfield - 908-791-7000

 

 

For a complete listing of all the available disaster assistance programs, see FEMA's Disaster Recovery Center Locator.

FEMA Frequently Asked Questions on Citizenship/Immigration

 

What are FEMA's citizenship/immigration requirements?

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen, Non-Citizen National, or a Qualified Alien in order to be eligible for FEMA cash assistance programs: Individuals and Households Program Assistance and Disaster Unemployment Assistance.
  • A Qualified Alien includes anyone with legal permanent residence (?green card?).
  • You will be asked to sign a Declaration and Release (FEMA Form 90-69 B) that you are a U.S. Citizen, Non-Citizen National, or a Qualified Alien.
  • If you cannot sign the Declaration and Release, another adult household member who is eligible can sign it and no information regarding your status will be gathered.
  • If you cannot sign the Declaration and Release but you have a minor child who is a U.S. Citizen or a Qualified Alien residing with you, you can apply for assistance on your child's behalf and no information regarding your status will be gathered. You will be asked to sign a declaration that your child is a U.S. Citizen, Non-Citizen National, or a Qualified Alien.
  • You do not have to be a U.S. Citizen or a Qualified Alien for Crisis Counseling or Disaster Legal Services or for other short-term, non-cash emergency assistance.

If I am an undocumented immigrant, am I eligible for assistance for disaster-related needs?

  • Yes, you may be eligible under many different programs run by state and local agencies and voluntary agencies for various types of cash assistance.

If I am an undocumented immigrant, am I eligible for any assistance from FEMA?

  • You may be eligible for short-term, non-cash, emergency aid provided by FEMA.
  • You will not be personally eligible for FEMA cash assistance programs (Individuals and Households Program Assistance); however, you may apply on behalf of your U.S. citizen child, or another adult household member may qualify the household for assistance.
  • Even if you or your family does not qualify for FEMA cash assistance (Individuals and Households Program Assistance), please call FEMA at 1-800-621-3362 or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY for hearing/speech-impaired) for information and to be referred to other programs that can assist you regardless of your immigration status.

If I am an undocumented immigrant, can I apply on behalf of my child who was born in the United States?

  • You can apply on behalf of your minor child (under 18 years of age) for FEMA cash assistance (Individuals and Households Program Assistance) if you live together.
  • You will not have to provide any information on your immigration status or sign any documents regarding your status.

Do I need a Social Security Number to register for FEMA cash assistance (Individual and Households Program Assistance)?

  • If you are applying on your minor child's behalf, you should provide his/her Social Security Number.

If I have a Social Security Number, am I eligible for FEMA cash assistance (Individuals and Households Program Assistance) as a "Qualified Alien"?

  • Not necessarily, because having a Social Security Number does not automatically mean that you are a Qualified Alien. You may be legally present in the U.S. and have a Social Security Number, but not be a Qualified Alien.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​