County Social Services Remains Open with Continued Services Offered to the Community

RIO GRANDE – During these uncertain times, Cape May County government is diligently working to maintain essential services for the residents.
According to a release, nowhere is this more evident than at the Social Services building. The staff physically in the building, on a daily basis, has been reduced by a significant 70% in an effort to adhere to social distancing recommendations. However, employees are being transitioned to a remote work-from-home model to keep up with the demand for services. 
The Tuesday extended hours have been curtailed until further notice. The building is open from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. and closed from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. for lunch.
Freeholder Jeffrey L. Pierson, liaison to Health and Human Services stated, “All programs and services under the Department of Human Services will continue to be provided in addition to updated programs being added to help families during the COVID-19 pandemic. Increases in SNAP payments were effective as of March 29 as part of the governor’s $35 million appropriation for supplemental payment to help more than 340,000 New Jersey households purchase groceries during the next two months.”
New and updated information pertaining to Social Services programs can be found on the County website at www.capemaycountynj.gov on the COVID-19 page.
Among those who are most vulnerable are the homeless population. Human Services continues to address this issue and currently, the best count of unsheltered in the county is six. Local law enforcement identified three of the six and reached out and instructed them to go to Social Services for assistance.
Additionally, Branches, a local outreach organization that provides a variety of services including meals to homeless individuals, is also informing anyone that is unsheltered to come to Social Services for services.
“Those who go to the office will be placed during this period of crisis,” Pierson added.
“The latest count of those being temporarily sheltered in local motels is approximately 120. This is a significant increase from the average count of 50 and is in response to the COVID-19 crisis. If anyone is experiencing a homeless situation it is important to contact the Division of Social Services regardless of past eligibility,” reported Donna Groome, director of the Department of Human Services.
Contact the Division of Social Services Emergency Assistance staff at (609) 886-6200 extension 2231. Placements may be completed telephonically during this crisis.