Constituent Services 

Health Care For Our Community

What is NJ FamilyCare and do I qualify?

Does your child’s medical bills exceed our ability to pay, what can you do?
 

Motor Vehicle Commission

What are the requirements for obtaining a driver’s license?

Notary Public

How do I become a member or renew my application?

Where can I get an application to become a Notary Public?

Property Tax Rebates

What is the Property Tax Reimbursement?

Do I qualify for the Property Tax Reimbursement Rebate (Senior Freeze)?

I did not receive my Property Tax Reimbursement (PTR) Rebate, how can I check on its status?

What is the FAIR Rebate and do I qualify?

I did not receive my FAIR Rebate. How can I check its status?

Other Property Tax Benefits

Immigration Matters

Where can I find more information on US Citizenship and Immigration Services?

GENERAL ASSISTANCE

The New Jersey Department of Human Services strives to get people off of state assistance and placed into competitive employment, if that is possible. This is the mission of the Work First New Jersey Program. Efforts include helping people acquire the skills they need in order to get a job, like job training, educational and work activities programs.

However, when it is not possible for people to go to work, due to a disability or other reason, DHS will help to provide services to New Jersey’s residents who need public assistance in order to acquire and sustain the basic necessities of life, such as food and shelter.

For more information, please click here or you can contact the information below:

HEALTH CARE FOR OUR COMMUNITY

What is PAAD and Senior Gold and do I qualify?

New Jersey offers prescription drug coverage to seniors and the disabled who otherwise may not be able to afford it. These programs together serve more that 200,000 New Jersey residents. Both of these programs are administered by New Jerseys Department of Health and Senior Services.

Please note, as of January 1, 2006, Medicare now offers prescription drug coverage called Medicare Part D. If you are currently enrolled in either PAAD or Senior Gold, you are required to sign up for Medicare Part D. Prescription drugs will be covered by Medicare Part D as the primary and PAAD or Senior Gold as the secondary.

To learn more about these programs, to see if you qualify, and find out more about Medicare Part D and what it means to you or your family member, please click here.

If you would like to fill out the application for PAAD, click here.

If you would like to download and fill out the application for Senior Gold, please click here.

What is NJ FamilyCare and do I qualify?

NJ FamilyCare is a federal and state funded health insurance program created to help New Jersey's uninsured children and certain low-income parents and guardians to have affordable health coverage. It is not a welfare program.

NJ FamilyCare is for families who do not have available or affordable employer health insurance, and cannot afford to pay the high cost of private health insurance.

Children 18 and younger may apply for the program, as well as certain low-income parents.  Currently in Union County, approximately 45,000 families are taking advantage of this program, 36,000 children and 9,000 adults.

For more information visit the NJ FamilyCare Homepage.

Does your child’s medical bills exceed our ability to pay, what can you do?

The Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund is a financial assistance program for New Jersey Families whose children have an illness or condition otherwise uncovered by insurance, State or Federal programs, or other source, such as fundraising.

The Fund is intended to assist in preserving a family's ability to cope with the responsibilities which accompany a child's significant health problems.

Who is Eligible for the Fund?

• In any prior, consecutive, 12 month period, dating back to 1988, eligible expenses must exceed 10% of the family's income, plus 15% of any excess income over $100,000.

• The child must have been 21 years or younger when the medical expenses were incurred.

• The family must have lived in New Jersey for 3 months immediately prior to the date of application. Migrant workers may be eligible, temporary residents are not.

What expenses are eligible?

The following incurred expenses will be considered and may be eligible for payment/reimbursement if found reasonable. The categories include, but are not limited to:

• Specialized pediatric ambulatory care

• Addictions/mental health services

• Acute or specialized hospital care, both in and outpatient

• Physician care in all settings

• Medical equipment or disposable medical supplies

• Pharmaceuticals

• Medically related home modifications and medical transportation

• Home health care

• Experimental medical treatment or pharmaceuticals following special review
   

To find out more, please click here. Or contact the Catastrophic Illness fund for Children at 1-800-335-FUND (3863).

MOTOR VEHICLE COMMISSION

What are the requirements for obtaining a driver’s license?

Renewing your driver’s license can be easy as long as you know the basics:

1. To renew your license you must now do it in person at Motor Vehicle Agency. There are over 45 agencies in New Jersey, open six days a week for your convenience. The hours are Monday – Friday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM and Saturdays 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM. Extended hours are also offered one day a week at each location. To get a list of the motor vehicle agencies in Union County and their extended hours, please click here

2. You must also pass a 6 point ID verification to renew your license. This is critical to ensure against fraud. Currently, there are four requirements for the 6 point ID requirement: your total number of points must add up to 6, you must possess at least one primary id (civil or certified birth certificate, a current license, military id, passport, etc.), you must possess at least one secondary id (marriage or divorce certificate, school id, federal/state/local photo id, social security card, bank statement, etc), and at least one of your identification points must show proof of address. To walk through your identification points, please click here(http://www.nj.gov/mvc/Licenses/DocumentSelector/index.htm). To download a brochure about the 6 point ID verification, please click here or for Spanish, click here.
    

Don’t forget, there is a processing fee associated with renewing your license. You can pay MVC with either a check or check. They do not accept credit cards.

 

3. You are allowed to renew your license up to 6 months for it expires.
    

Tips to help you prepare:

1. Double check your documents. Make sure you have 6 ID points.

2. Go early: the agency offices are usually not busy in the mornings, middle of the week or middle of the month.

3. If you are not renewing your license, there are many things you can take care of from home for example, renewing your vehicle registration, making an appointment for an inspection. For more information on services you can take advantage of from home, please click here.
    

NOTARY PUBLIC

How do I become a member or renew my application?

The Notary Public is an impartial witness to the signing of documents, attests to a signature on a document, and can administer oaths and affirmations. The appointment of a notary public is for a five-year period that can be renewed in five year increments.

Individuals applying for a notary public must be New Jersey resident at least 18 years of age, is sworn into office by the clerk of the county in which the candidate resides. Complete information regarding New Jersey Notary Publics is provided in the notary manual.

To obtain a copy of the notary public application or renewal, we have printed copies in our office or you can click here to download a copy.

Once you have filled out the application, you can either drop it off or mail it to our office at 985 Stuyvesant Avenue Union, NJ 07083.

Along with your application, please enclose your check for the $25 processing fee made out to the State Treasurer, our office will have a legislator endorse the application and will forward the application on to the Division of Treasury for you.

To find out more about becoming a Notary Public, please click here.

Where can I get an application to become a Notary Public?

A Notary application and instructions can be found online at: http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/revenue/dcr/pdforms/notapp.pdf  

PROPERTY TAX REBATES

What is the Property Tax Reimbursement?

The Property Tax Reimbursement Program reimburses eligible senior citizens and disabled persons for property tax increases. The amount of the reimbursement is the difference between the amount of property taxes that were due and paid in the "base year" (the first year that you met all the eligibility requirements) and the amount due and paid in the current year for which you are claiming the reimbursement, provided the amount paid in the current year was greater. You must meet all the eligibility requirements for the base year and for each succeeding year, up to and including the current year to qualify for the reimbursement. See Property Tax Reimbursement Definitions for more information.

Income eligibility limits for the Property Tax Reimbursement Program have been increased for tax year 2005. As a result, you may be eligible for a reimbursement for 2005 even if you were not eligible in prior years because your income was above the previous limits.

Eligible applicants must file the 2005 Property Tax Reimbursement Application on or before the extended due date of October 31, 2006. The original due date was June 1, 2006.

Do I qualify for the Property Tax Reimbursement Rebate (Senior Freeze)?

You may be eligible for a reimbursement of the difference between the amount of property taxes you paid in the base year (the year you first became eligible) and the amount paid in the year for which you are applying for a reimbursement if:

1. You are age 65 or older or receiving Federal Social Security disability benefits; and

2. You have lived in New Jersey continuously for at least the last 10 years, as either a homeowner or a mobile home owners renting their property; and

3. You have owned and lived in your home (or have leased a site in a mobile home park on which you have placed a manufactured or mobile home that you own) for at least the last 3 years; and

4. You have paid the full amount of property taxes (or site fees if you are a mobile home owner) that were due on your home for the base year and for each succeeding year, up to and including the year for which you are claiming the reimbursement; and

5. You meet the income limits for the base year and for each succeeding year, up to and including the year for which you are claiming the reimbursement.

Residents applying for the 2005 reimbursement (for the first time) must have total income for 2004 that is less than $40,869 for single applicants and $50,113 (combined income) for married couples, and total income for 2005 that is less than $41,972 for single applicants and $51,466 (combined income) for married couples.

If your residence is in a multiple-unit building that you own, and the building has more than four units, you are not eligible for a property tax reimbursement. You are also not eligible if the building has four units or less but more than one commercial unit.

I did not receive my Property Tax Reimbursement (PTR) Rebate, how can I check on its status?

You should contact the PTR Hotline at 1-800-882-6597. The hours of operation are 8:30am-4:30pm, Monday thru Friday or go to the Property Tax Reimbursement Website.

What is the FAIR Rebate and do I qualify?

The FAIR Rebate Program provides rebates for homeowners and tenants who occupied their principal residence in New Jersey on October 1, paid property taxes on that dwelling either directly or through rent, and whose gross income for the entire year does not exceed certain limits.
 

Only New Jersey residents who were either homeowners or tenants on October 1, 2005, are eligible for a 2005 FAIR rebate. Homeowners and tenants file different applications according to their status on October 1:

• Tenant: If you were a tenant on October 1, 2005, file a Form TR-1040, FAIR tenant rebate application, contained in the 2005 resident income tax return booklet. More information for tenants.

• Homeowner: If you were a homeowner on October 1, 2005, a 2005 FAIR homeowner rebate application will be mailed to you. Homeowners do not file Form TR-1040, doing so will delay the payment of your homeowner rebate. More information for homeowners.

If you were neither a homeowner nor a tenant on October 1, 2005, you are not eligible for a 2005 FAIR rebate, even if you owned a home or rented a qualified dwelling for part of the year.

Check the status (amount) of your 2005 FAIR Rebate

I did not receive my FAIR Rebate. How can I check its status?

Current status of your FAIR Rebate here. You may also contact the FAIR Rebate hotline at 1-888-238-1233. The hours of operation are 8:30am to 4:30pm, Monday through Friday.

You can also always feel free to phone our office if you need more assistance or can not get through on the hotlines listed above. Our office can be reached at (908) 624-0880.
 

Other Property Tax Benefits

• Annual Property Tax Deduction for Senior Citizens, Disabled Persons: Annual deduction of up to $250 from property taxes for homeowners age 65 or older or disabled who meet certain income and residency requirements. This benefit is administered by the local municipality. Claim Form

• Annual Deduction for Veterans: Annual deduction of up to $250 from taxes due on the real or personal property of qualified war veterans and their unmarried surviving spouses. This benefit is administered by the local municipality. Claim Form

• Property Tax Exemption for Disabled Veterans: Full exemption from property taxes on a principal residence for certain totally and permanently disabled war veterans and their unmarried surviving spouses. Unmarried surviving spouses of servicepersons who died on wartime active duty may also qualify. This benefit is administered by the local municipality. Claim Form

IMMIGRATION MATTERS

Where can I find more information on US Citizenship and Immigration Services?

USCIS: US Citizenship and Immigration Services http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis