Princeton Introduces Ordinance Abolishing Local Assistance Board

PRINCETON, NJ — The Town Council on Monday voted to introduce an ordinance abolishing the Local Assistance Board. Going forwards Princeton residents in need of assistance will have to visit Trenton instead of the local municipal offices.

The decision to abolish the local assonance board was taken during the July 26 council meeting, after Melissa Urias, director of Human Services resigned. “Transferring the cases to the County was done with recommendation from the outgoing director, and the County,” said councilwoman Leticia Fraga.

The County indicated to the Township that other communities across Mercer municipalities were transferring their cases to Trenton. Moreover, the Township was still in the process of hiring a new director of Human Services, “but not in time to address assistance needed now,” Fraga said.

To read the ordinance, click here.

Over the past few days, the Council has been receiving criticism for this move as many believed the township was sending its “vulnerable population to Trenton.”

“Human Services will still continue to assist individuals with the application process. What they won’t be doing is making eligibility determinations, they will not be issuing the cheques,” clarified Fraga.

She said that people in need of assistance still had to go in person to the office to pick up their checks. Moreover, they had to go to Trenton to provide documentation for SNAP benefits. Fraga said the County will make it an easier process with qualified individuals receiving an EBT card and funds being deposited directly to their cards. “We're hoping that this will be a smoother process,” Fraga said.

The councilwoman also pointed out that Princeton Human Services has been handling one or two new cases a month, with the general caseload averaging at six. "Human services still intends to provide assistance to individuals who need assistance in navigating the process,” she said.

During the July 26 council meeting Princeton transferred the financial and operational responsibility for the General Assistance Program to the Mercer County Board of Social Services.

A public hearing on this ordinance is scheduled for Aug. 23.

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