Bergen County Congressman's Bipartisan Plan Would Fund Health Care Credits, Continue SNAP

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — With the Congressional shutdown continuing, some Bergen County residents and families were unable to access their full SNAP food benefits his month. And families who earn just over the limit to qualify— $59,484 per year gross income for a family of four, with almost no assets — may be scrambling as well, particularly if they're dealing with recent layoffs.

Last month, New Jersey joined 22 other states to sue the federal government, urging them to continue to provide food aid during the shutdown.

On Thursday, a judge ordered the government to restore all of the benefits, but the administration said Friday that it has appealed.

Before the appeal, the state of New Jersey made the benefits available immediately, officials said late on Friday.

Compromise Involving Health Insurance?

On Thursday, U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer headed to Overpeck County Park in Bergen County to announce a bipartisan initiative to make sure SNAP benefits continue during future shutdowns, and to extend the tax credits for those on Affordable Care Act health insurance.

Gottheimer joined with the County of Bergen and the Community FoodBank of New Jersey to help distribute emergency food to support families.

His office said that more than 800,000 people in New Jersey and nearly 42 million nationwide rely on SNAP benefits to cover the cost of food and groceries. Families receive $187 a month on average, he noted.

Gottheimer said Thursday that he had taken the following steps:

• Called on the Speaker of the House to bring the chamber back into session every week to complete a bipartisan deal to reopen the government, fully fund SNAP, and stop the Affordable Healthcare Act tax credits from expiring.

• Released a set of bipartisan principles, with Reps. Don Bacon (R-NE), Tom Suozzi (D-NY), and Jeff Hurd (R-CO), to extend the Affordable Care Act (ACA) enhanced premium tax credits.

• Demanded the federal administration use the tariff revenue that they already used for WIC to provide full November SNAP benefits for families.
• Wrote to House Appropriations leadership urging an increase in funding for the SNAP contingency fund to avoid another lapse in the future.

Need Documentation To Qualify

To qualify in New Jersey, families can earn up to 185 percent of the federal poverty level, based on gross income.

In New Jersey, applicants must show documents including proof of income, proof of being a citizen or having legal status, and other forms.

Bergen County SNAP Recipients, By Numbers

In Bergen County, according to statistics from 2021, approximately 4.9 percent of households receive SNAP.

The population was around 955,000 at that time, meaning approximately 46,800 people in Bergen County receive the help.

Community groups and churches have been banding together to help feed families who are going without. A list of local food banks can be found here and on this Rutgers website.

You can also use the lists below.