10+ Legitimate Grants for Single Mothers in NJ (2026)

WorkFirst NJ (WFNJ / TANF) — Monthly Cash Assistance

WorkFirst NJ is one of the primary grants for single mothers in NJ that provides direct monthly cash assistance. A single mom with two kids qualifies for $559/month, with no restrictions on how you spend it. Larger families receive more. The money can go toward rent, groceries, transportation, utilities, or anything else your household needs.

• Eligibility: NJ resident, low income, at least one child under 18 at home, citizen or eligible immigrant
• Asset limit: $2,000 in countable resources for the household
• Time limit: 60-month lifetime limit (federal TANF rule applies)
• Apply: njhelps.gov online or in person at your county Board of Social Services

NJ Earned Income Tax Credit + NJ Child Tax Credit

If you work, these two credits are worth thousands at tax time, and a lot of single moms miss them. The NJ Earned Income Tax Credit pays 40% of your federal EITC amount on top of your federal refund. The NJ Child Tax Credit adds up to $1,000 per child under age 6 if your household earns under $80,000. Both are refundable; you get them as cash even if you owe nothing in taxes.

• Eligibility (NJEITC): Must qualify for the federal EITC; have earned income from work
• Eligibility (Child Tax Credit): Child under age 6, household income under $80,000
• Asset limit: None
• Time limit: Claimed annually at tax filing
• Apply: File your NJ state tax return, a tax preparer or free VITA site can claim both for you

Real example: A single mom with two kids under 6 earning $22,000/year could receive $3,000+ in combined federal and NJ EITC, plus up to $2,000 in NJ Child Tax Credits, totaling $5,000+ back at tax filing. File every year, even if your income is very low.

State Rental Assistance Program (SRAP)

SRAP is New Jersey’s state-funded rental voucher program. It works like Section 8 but runs separately, so it’s sometimes available even when federal waitlists are closed. Priority goes to families experiencing homelessness or fleeing domestic violence.

• Eligibility: NJ resident, income-based (varies by county), priority for homeless or DV survivors
• Asset limit: Varies by county program
• Time limit: Vouchers are typically renewed annually based on continued eligibility
• Apply: Contact your county Department of Community Affairs or call 211 for local referral

Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher

Section 8 covers the gap between 30% of your income and the actual rent, which can mean hundreds of dollars a month in savings. Waitlists in many NJ counties are closed or years long right now, but getting on the list when it opens is worth it.

• Eligibility: Income at or below 50% of the area median income; NJ resident; citizen or eligible immigrant
• Asset limit: Counted in income calculation if assets generate income
• Time limit: Ongoing as long as you remain eligible and comply with program rules
• Apply: Check your local Public Housing Authority (PHA) — search by county at hud.gov

Emergency Rescue Mortgage Assistance (ERMA)

If you own your home and have fallen behind on your mortgage, ERMA can help. These grants for single mothers in NJ cover up to $75,000 in mortgage arrears and future payments for NJ homeowners who hit financial hardship.

• Eligibility: NJ homeowner, primary residence, demonstrated financial hardship, income limits apply
• Asset limit: Reviewed on a case-by-case basis
• Time limit: One-time assistance; funds subject to availability
• Apply: njerma.com or call 855-647-7700

SNAP (Food Stamps)

SNAP is the most widely used food program in NJ and the fastest to access. A family of three with a gross income under $4,109/month may qualify. Benefits load onto an EBT card and can be used at most grocery stores.

• Eligibility: NJ resident, gross income at or below 185% FPL (approx. $4,109/month for family of 3)
• Asset limit: $2,750 for most households; $4,250 if a household member is 60+ or disabled
• Time limit: Recertified every 6-12 months; no lifetime limit for families with children
• Apply: njhelps.gov emergency processing available if you have little or no income

WIC — Food and Nutrition for Moms and Young Kids

WIC isn’t just baby formula; it covers groceries for pregnant moms, breastfeeding support, nutrition counseling, and food vouchers for children up to age 5. It runs alongside SNAP with no conflict.

• Eligibility: Pregnant, postpartum, or breastfeeding mom, or child under 5; income at or below 185% FPL
• Asset limit: None
• Time limit: Children covered through age 5; postpartum moms covered up to 12 months
• Apply: Find your local WIC office at nj.gov/health/fhs/wic

Summer EBT (SUN Bucks) — $120 Per Child

When school lunch stops in summer, SUN Bucks fills the gap. Each school-age child in an eligible household automatically receives $120 in grocery benefits to use over the summer months if they already receive SNAP or free/reduced-price lunch.

• Eligibility: School-age children in households receiving SNAP, TANF, or enrolled in free/reduced lunch
• Asset limit: None (tied to existing program enrollment)
• Time limit: Issued once per summer per eligible child
• Apply: Automatic if already enrolled in SNAP or free school lunch, no separate application needed

Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)

CCAP is one of the few grants for single mothers in NJ that directly offsets childcare costs on a month-to-month basis. Your copay is based on income, and the program covers the rest directly to your provider, whether that’s a daycare center, registered family provider, or school-based program. As of April 2026, CCAP is fully open to new applicants. Once you submit all required documents, your local CCR&R will make an eligibility decision within 30 days.

• Eligibility: Working, in school, or in job training; income-based; child under 13
• Asset limit: Up to $1,000,000 in assets (very flexible)
• Time limit: Renewed based on continued eligibility; no lifetime limit
• Apply: Contact your county Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agency. Find yours at childcarenj.gov

Head Start and Early Head Start — Free Preschool

Head Start provides completely free preschool and developmental care for children ages 3-5 in low-income families. Early Head Start covers infants and toddlers from birth through age 3. Both include meals, health screenings, and family support services at no cost to you.

• Eligibility: Child under 5 in a family at or below 100% FPL; children in foster care automatically qualify
• Asset limit: None
• Time limit: Through age 5; must re-enroll each program year
• Apply: Find your local Head Start program at eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov

LIHEAP — Up to $1,278 Energy Credit

LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) is a one-time seasonal credit applied directly to your heating or cooling bill. The maximum credit for an eligible NJ household is $1,278, applied automatically to your utility account.

• Eligibility: Gross income at or below 60% of NJ State Median Income (approx. $6,732/month for a family of 3)
• Asset limit: None
• Time limit: One credit per heating season; program open October 1 through June 30
• Apply: Your county Board of Social Services or call 1-800-510-3102

Universal Service Fund (USF) — Up to $200/Month Year-Round

USF is unique to New Jersey; it offers a monthly discount of up to $200 on your electric and gas bills, year-round. Unlike LIHEAP, it’s ongoing, not a one-time credit, which makes it one of the most valuable utility programs in the state for low-income families.

• Eligibility: Income at or below 175% FPL; must be a residential utility customer in NJ
• Asset limit: None
• Time limit: Ongoing; recertified annually
• Apply: Through your utility company or your county Board of Social Services

NJ SHARES — Up to $700/Utility for Crisis Bills

NJ SHARES is specifically for households in a utility crisis facing shut-off or with a past-due balance. It provides up to $700 per utility per year in emergency assistance, paid directly to your utility company.

• Eligibility: NJ resident with utility arrearage or shut-off notice; income limits apply
• Asset limit: None
• Time limit: Once per utility per calendar year
• Apply: Call NJ SHARES at 1-866-657-4273 or apply through your utility company’s assistance programs

If your income is slightly over the Medicaid limit, check GetCoveredNJ.gov for subsidized marketplace plans. Hospital Charity Care grants for single mothers in NJ also cover free or reduced emergency care, regardless of insurance status. You don’t have to be uninsured to use it.

7. Scholarships and College Grants for Single Mothers in NJ

Going back to school as a single mom in NJ can actually cover tuition through federal grants, state tuition aid, and education-specific scholarships; many single moms cover most or all of their tuition without taking on debt. These college and school grants for single mothers in NJ don’t have to be repaid.

• File FAFSA first; it unlocks the Pell Grant, FSEOG, and NJ TAG in one step. Deadline for NJ TAG priority: September 15 each year
• NJ TAG stacks with Pell; you can receive both at the same time, which covers most tuition at NJ state colleges
• EOF includes advising  not just money; it pairs you with academic counselors and peer support throughout your degree
• The Community College Opportunity Grant can make community college essentially free for NJ moms under $65K household income
• Work-Study is also available through FAFSA campus jobs that work around your class schedule and count as financial aid

Before Applying for Grants for Single Mothers in NJ — Gather These First

When applying for grants for single mothers in NJ, missing paperwork is the most common reason applications stall or get denied. Gathering these before you start saves you from having to restart the process later.

Sources

• NJ Division of Family Development — WorkFirst NJ / TANF Program, 2026
• NJHelps — Online Benefits Screener and Application Portal, NJ DHS
• Childcare.gov — New Jersey Financial Assistance Resources for Families
• NJ Department of Health — WIC Program, 2026
• NJ FamilyCare — Medicaid and CHIP Eligibility, NJ DHS
• Single Mother Guide — New Jersey Benefit Amounts and Program Details, 2026
• NJ Emergency Rescue Mortgage Assistance (ERMA) Program
• Head Start Center Locator — U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
• Federal Student Aid — FAFSA, Pell Grant, and FSEOG Programs
• NJ Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA) — TAG and EOF Programs