Unemployment, Tests, Food: 10 NJ Resources In Coronavirus Crisis

TRENTON — As the ongoing coronavirus crisis unfolds, you likely have many questions on how it will continue to impact you and your family's daily life. From employment, to food, health care, and more, there are many new struggles that area families are facing.

New Jersey now has thousands of cases of the new coronavirus, and new cases are added daily. Schools have been closed and non-essential businesses have been forced to shut their doors to mitigate the spread of the virus.

Here's a look at where the cases have been reported so far: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

New Jersey Coronavirus Updates: Don't miss local and statewide announcements about novel coronavirus precautions. Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters.

Here are 10 resources for you and your family to utilize as you navigate through the outbreak:

UNEMPLOYMENT

Customers needing to file for unemployment insurance or other benefits are urged to apply online at MyUnemployment.nj.gov, or MyLeaveBenefits.nj.gov.

Filing online is easy, and will ensure claims can be processed in the fastest way possible.

Before applying, customers are encouraged to visit our website at nj.gov/labor to determine whether they are eligible to apply for unemployment, temporary disability, family leave, or workers’ compensation. An easy-to-read chart will guide customers through the process.

Operations are expected to reopen March 30. Customers are to be advised if the state Department of Labor is experiencing extraordinarily high online volume and longer than usual call wait times.

All New Jersey One-Stop Career Center offices will be closed to the public effective immediately. All customers with existing appointments will be contacted by state Department of Labor staff at a future date to be rescheduled.

Workforce Development customers should visit nj.gov/labor.

Related: 10 Things NJ Employees Should Know About Coronavirus Benefits

TESTING

The New Jersey Poison Control Center and 211 have partnered with the state to provide information to the public on testing and related needs:

• New Jersey Department of Health 24 hour hotline: 1-800-222-1222
• Call: 2-1-1
• Call (24/7): 1-800-962-1253
• Text: NJCOVID to 898-211
• Text: your zip code to 898-211 for live text assistance

New drive-through testing sites at Bergen Community College in Paramus and the PNC Arts Center in Holmdel have opened.

Also:

• Hackensack Meridian offers COVID19 testing at its nine urgent care centers in Monmouth and Ocean counties.
• Immediate care of Marlboro is offering a drive-thru COVID19 test in the Marlboro Medical Arts site located at 479 Rt 520 in Marlboro. Testing is by appointment only at (855) 925-5467 ext 0.
• The PNC Bank Arts Center is a regional FEMA drive-thru test location and is open for testing every other day from 8 a.m. to 4pm for up to 500 persons per day. Click here for PNC Arts Test Center info & schedule.
• On every Saturday, the PNC Bank Arts Center site will be dedicated to symptomatic health care workers and first responders -- police, fire, and EMS -- with valid credentials only. The general public will not be able to access this site on Saturdays.
• Central Jersey Urgent Care is testing up to 80 patients daily at Eatontown, Howell and Marlboro.

RELATED: How Does The Coronavirus Test Work? 5 Questions Answered

MENTAL HEALTH

NJ Mental Health Cares, the state’s behavioral health information and referral service, will now also offer help to people dealing with anxiety and worry related to the coronavirus outbreak. New Jerseyans can call 1-866-202-HELP (4357) for free, confidential support. NJ Mental Health Cares will be answered from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week by live trained specialists.

If you’re feeling stressed out, you can also contact these hotlines before a crisis occurs:

• NJ HOPELINE: 1-855-654-6735; www.njhopeline.com
• NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE: 1-800-273-TALK (8255), www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
• FAMILY HELPLINE: 1-800-THE-KIDS (843-5437), 24 hours a day – 7 days a week

GROCERY STORES

While the governor has closed non-essenital businesses, grocery stores are permitted to remain open. Some chains in New Jersey, such as ACME and Stop & Shop, have implemented special hours for those most at-risk during the growing outbreak of the new coronavirus.

Related:

• ACME Markets Reserve Hours For At-Risk Shoppers Amid Coronavirus
• Stop & Shop Offers Early-Morning Hours For People 60 And Above
• ShopRite Sets 2-Per-Customer Limits Amid Coronavirus Spread

BUSINESS IMPACT

The coronavirus outbreak is already having a major impact on New Jersey businesses, forcing closures and even layoffs. The state ordered the closing of non-essential businesses in March. The New Jersey Chamber has set up a special page designed to help local businesses navigate the crisis. MORE.

FOOD ASSISTANCE

New Jersey officials have provided guidance for accessing emergency food assistance for residents at risk of hunger due to measures to slow the spread of coronavirus. MORE.

Additionally, schools closed due to the coronavirus will continue to serve meals to students through the National School Lunch Program. MORE.

VOTING

New Jersey residents can sign up online to vote by mail-in ballot in case the crisis continues through the June 2 Primary. To sign up to vote by mail ballot, visit https://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/vote-by-mail.shtml

TAX QUESTIONS

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Tuesday that the tax payment deadline will be extended 90 days due to the coronavirus crisis. If you need answers to tax questions in New Jersey, visit https://www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/index.shtml/ota/eitc/ptr/questions/cbt/automaticextension2019.shtml

Gov. Murphy said he was considering extending the tax deadline.

PUBLIC TRANSIT

NJ Transit has taken steps to address the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.MORE.

ONLINE MVC SERVICES

Motor Vehicle Commission agencies are closed for two weeks for in-person service, but you can access services online at https://www.state.nj.us/mvc/online-services.html