MAYOR BARAKA ANNOUNCES EMERGENCY BENEFITS WEBSITE DURING GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN

Mayor Ras J. Baraka announced today that yesterday's mobilization of city departments in response to the federal government shutdown and cutbacks, has yielded a temporary emergency assistance website at https://http://nwkAssist.com. The site is live with vital information, and will begin accepting applications on Monday, November 3, at 5:00 p.m. for food and other urgent resources for Newark's current Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients. Additionally, central distribution hubs have been created in each of Newark's five wards for walk-in relief.

The website initiative will provide financial assistance for individuals and families who, without the assistance of SNAP, may have difficulty affording necessities such as:

• Household utilities (water, gas, internet, etc.)
• Rent/mortgage
• Rental arrears
• Transportation
• Childcare
• Co-pays for health provider visits and prescriptions
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After an application has been completed and submitted, applicants will receive a notification of confirmation via email. Applicants should expect to receive an email reporting the status of their application within 72 hours.

More information can be found on the website's About and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) pages, by emailing the city's Temporary Assistance Program team at [email protected] or by calling (973) 565-5486.

The city counts more than 37,000 SNAP recipient households among its residents, including 29,000 children. To protect them, Mayor Baraka, working with Newark Public Schools, nonprofits, corporations and faith leaders throughout the city, has established a central location in each of Newark's five wards to serve as hubs for food, clothing, holiday gifts other giveaways to Newark residents receiving SNAP.

While the fate of local SNAP funds plays out in federal court, Newark is solidifying contingency plans. Arrangements are being made for Newark public schools to stay open to provide meals to students during November school holidays. The website secures resources including emergency cash for utilities and other vital needs, and can connect seniors and homebound individuals to delivery services.

If court decisions necessitate Newark's federal shutdown emergency activation, these five Community Ward Food Hubs will begin operating on Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Saturdays from noon to 5:00 p.m.:

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South Ward

Belmont Runyon Elementary School

1 Belmont Way

Coordinator: Ronice Bruce 973-851-3496

South Improvement District

South Ward Promise

Clinton Hill Community Action

Central Ward

Dr. E. Alma Flagg School

150 3rd Street

Coordinator: Abigail Martone 516-680-3817

Greater Newark Conservancy

Boys and Girls Club

NCC

West Ward

Speedway Academies

701 S Orange Avenue

Coordinator: Christopher Keys 862-405-3154

UVSO

Urban League

East Ward

South Street School

44 Hermon Street

Coordinator: Charles Richardson 973-465-0555, ext. 209

Ironbound Community Crop

Montana Construction Inc.

North Ward

Rafael Hernandez Elementary School

345 Broadway

Coordinator: Ivonne Salazar 973-943-5050

La Casa De Don Pedro

Focus411inc

To see Mayor Baraka's message to residents, click here.

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City of Newark, NJ