$500 boost to be distributed this month: Good news for the 68,000 low-income families in New Jersey

According to the website of the New Jersey Department of Treasury, on November 18, 2022, 68,000 low-income families in the state will receive a $500 check this month as part of the ITIN Holders Direct Assistance Program.

The program is funded by the American Rescue Plan and is designed to assist residents who were impacted by the pandemic but did not receive similar assistance from the federal government.

The program mentioned is meant to provide financial support to individuals who are hardworking, pay taxes, and were impacted by the pandemic but have not received aid from the federal government. This information was stated by Treasurer Elizabeth Maher Muoio on April 4, 2022, at the Assembly Budget Committee hearing.

To be eligible for the benefit, individuals must have filed a New Jersey income tax return in 2021 using an ITIN and have a household income below 200% of the federal poverty level.

The financial assistance will be sent to eligible individuals at the address they provided when they filed their 2021 taxes, and receiving this benefit will not disqualify them from receiving other public assistance programs such as Medicaid, TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), or food stamps.

The program is targeted to undocumented immigrants, people recently leaving prison, and people experiencing homelessness. Eligible families will receive $500 for each ITIN holder, so a family of four with ITINs would receive $2,000, based on the published report by Ashley Balcerzak of NorthJersey.com.

New Jersey is also sending letters to families that did not file a New Jersey tax return in 2021 but may be eligible based on their 2020 income tax returns. These families will still be eligible for the benefit if they file a 2021 return by April 15, 2023. The state is working with the Department of Human Services to ensure that the benefit reaches every eligible recipient.