Falling Behind On Rent In Bloomfield? This Assistance Program May Help

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — If you’re having a tough time paying bills and making ends meet in Bloomfield, there may be a way to get a little breathing room, town officials say.

On Tuesday, Bloomfield officials issued an advisory about an assistance program available to local residents who have “fallen behind in their rent, mortgage and/or utilities due to a temporary setback beyond their control.”

According to a municipal news release:

“The Division of Human Services submitted and received a grant from the County of Essex for Social Services Homelessness Prevention. The grant will provide eligible residents the ability to catch up on mortgage, rent or utilities payments provided they have the financial resources to maintain once caught up. Individuals who do not have the means to sustain themselves will be ineligible. Prescreening will be done Monday through Friday by appointment only. Funding is limited and will be based upon meeting eligibility criteria and on a first-come basis.”

To see if they qualify for these services or other assistance programs, residents can contact the Bloomfield Health and Human Services Department for benefit screening. In addition, appointments can be scheduled for the mobile welfare van located at 1 Municipal Plaza on a monthly basis.

Call (973) 680-4017 to schedule an appointment or request additional information.

GUIDELINES

Guidelines for Families with Children:

• Must have a child[ren] under the age of 18 (19 if child is enrolled in full-time secondary education program)
• Must have a source of income that meets or exceeds monthly household bills
• Family must be able to prove sustainability
• Must be a citizen/ legal alien/resident
• Must meet income criteria
• All supporting documentation of proof of residency, employment, identification (all family members in the household), etc., must be attainable
• Falling behind on their housing costs/utilities was due to a situation beyond their control and there must be foreclosure/eviction/shutoff or documentation that it about to happen

Guidelines for Single/Couples/Families with or without children:

• Must be able to prove sustainability
• Must be a citizen/legal alien/resident
• Must meet income criteria
• All supporting documentation of proof of residency, employment, identification (all family members in the household), etc., must be attainable
• Falling behind on their housing costs/utilities was due to a situation beyond their control and there must be foreclosure/eviction/shutoff or documentation that it is about to happen

Send local news tips, photos and press releases to eric.kiefer@patch.com