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Social Services

Food Distribution Event – Saturday, October 31st, 9am

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, and the Village Super Market of Springfield Township, New Jersey are providing this drive through and walk-up food distribution event to all Union County residents affected by COVID-19 on Saturday, October 31st at 9am.

Location

Warinanco Park at 1 Park Drive, Roselle, NJ 07203

Event Details

  • First 2,000 vehicles will receive shelf-safe food and fresh produce on a first come, first served basis
  • One food distribution per vehicle, while supplies last
  • Please make sure to clear out the vehicle’s trunk prior to arrival to make room for food bags
  • Bring one (1) proof of NJ residency, such as a utility bill, driver’s license, ID card, etc.
  • Event will take place rain or shine

Click here to view and/or download the event flyer in English and Spanish. With any questions, or for more information, please email the DHS Action Line or call them at 908 558 2288.

Free Flu Shot Information

The Freeholder Board announced updated dates and locations for upcoming flu shot drives throughout Union County in October and November. The County is offering a series of free flu shot drives in local communities to help ensure that everyone has access to a free seasonal flu vaccine at a convenient location, especially residents who have no health insurance.

The free flu shot drive is open to Union County residents age four and up. Appointments are required and residents can schedule their appointment by visiting ucnj.org/flu or calling 908-518-4307. Masks are required for residents who attend to receive a flu shot. Temperatures will be taken when arriving.

“Public health experts are concerned that our medical resources will be overwhelmed if a seasonal flu outbreak combines with the COVID-19 crisis,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “If you have never gotten a seasonal flu shot before, now is the time to do it. Let’s all do our part to help our Union County family stay safe during the flu season.”

Protection against seasonal flu is more important than ever before due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Persons who have a fever, coughing, sneezing, or other signs of illness will not be admitted to a flu drive site. Residents who are experiencing symptoms of illness should check with their doctor. Persons with health insurance are advised to visit their local pharmacy or doctor’s office to receive the flu shot.

The following dates have been scheduled for the Union County flu shot drive. Each event will take place from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Participation is on a walk-up basis, first come first served:

  • October 29 – Westfield (Union County Public Safety Building, 300 North Ave East)
  • November 5 – Summit (Summit Community Center, 100 Morris Avenue)
  • November 12 – Linden (St. Theresa Church, 131 E Edgar Road)
  • November 19 – Rahway (Rahway Recreation Center, 275 East Milton Avenue)

For additional updates visit the “Upcoming Flu Drives” page on the County website.

Please note that the Union County flu shot drive is for seasonal flu vaccines only. There is no vaccine available for the COVID-19 virus at this time.

The Union County Flu Shot Drive is administered by the Union County Office of Health Management in the Department of Public Safety, the Visiting Nurse Association, and volunteers from the Union County Medical Reserve Corps. The Medical Reserve Corps accepts volunteers with a variety of skills both in and out of the medical profession.

Attention Linden Seniors!

Meals On Wheels grab and go lunches will be distributed outside in the front of the John T. Gregorio building starting on Tuesday, October 27, 2020 between 11:30am – 12:30pm. Lunches are only available on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

  • Pre-Registration is required. To reserve a lunch, call Terry at the JTG Center @ (908) 474-8629 or the main office @ (908) 474-8627.
  • Reservations for Tuesday meal pick up must be made by 10am on the preceding Thursday.
  • Reservations for Thursday’s meal pick must be made by 10am on the preceding Monday.
  • Reservations are only taken on weekdays.
  • Seniors must be aged 60 or older, and a resident of Union County. 
  • A voluntary donation of $1.75 is suggested for the meal. 
  • Please wear your face mask; no mask, no service!
  • Meals only available to seniors not currently receiving home delivered meals from the Meals-on-Wheels program. 

Thank you!

Food Distribution Event – Saturday, October 24th, 9am

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, and the Community Food Bank of New Jersey are providing this drive through only food distribution event to all Union County residents affected by COVID-19 on Saturday, October 24th at 9am.

Location

Kean University, 1000 Morris Avenue, Union NJ 07083

Event Details

  • First 2,000 vehicles will receive shelf-safe food and fresh produce on a first come, first served basis
  • One food distribution per vehicle, while supplies last
  • Please make sure to clear out the vehicle’s trunk prior to arrival to make room for food bags
  • Bring one (1) proof of NJ residency, such as a utility bill, driver’s license, ID card, etc.
  • Event will take place rain or shine

Click here to view and/or download the event flyer in English and Spanish. With any questions, or for more information, please email the DHS Action Line or call them at 908 558 2288.

Family Support & Prevention Program

Does your child have a health issue? Is your child struggling with school? United Way of Greater Union County can help!

You may be eligible to receive services from the Family Support & Prevention Program. Please click to view/and or download the informational flyer about this program in English and in Spanish.

For more information and to make an appointment, email or call Greg Thomas at 908-353-7171 extension 130 at United
Way of Greater Union County.

COVID-19 Housing Assistance Program

You can now apply for housing assistance if you suffered a financial hardship due to COVID-19 and have not been able to pay your rent or mortgage. Please download the attached informational flyer in English and Spanish.

You are eligible to apply for the COVID-19 Housing Assistance Program if:

  • You live in New Jersey
  • Have overdue rent or mortgage payments from March 2020 and/or need assistance until December 2020
  • Have proof that you are not able to pay rent/mortgage due to COVID-19, such as loss of income or reduced hours at work or unable to work due to being high-risk or having to quarantine or isolate, or due to a child’s remote learning
  • Your annual income does not exceed 450% of the federal poverty level

How It Works

  • Apply online here.
  • You will need to demonstrate that your income doesn’t exceed the income limit and that you were unable to pay your rent or mortgage due to COVID-19.
  • You will also need provide proof a current lease/rental agreement or mortgage information, and a letter from your landlord documenting your pay history and status

Applications will be processed until funding is exhausted.

Food Distribution Event – Saturday, October 10th, 9am

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, and the Community Food Bank of New Jersey are providing this drive through only food distribution event to all Union County residents affected by COVID-19 on October 10th at 9am.

Location

Kean University, 1000 Morris Avenue, Union NJ 07083

Event Details

  • First 2,000 vehicles will receive shelf-safe food and fresh produce on a first come, first served basis
  • One food distribution per vehicle, while supplies last
  • Please make sure to clear out the vehicle’s trunk prior to arrival to make room for food bags
  • Bring one (1) proof of NJ residency, such as a utility bill, driver’s license, ID card, etc.
  • Event will take place rain or shine

Click here to view and/or download the event flyer in English and Spanish. With any questions, or for more information, please email the DHS Action Line or call them at 908 558 2288.

Job Fridays Are Back!

One-On-One Employment Assistance & Support

  • Do you need help job searching or applying for jobs?
  • Do you need help creating a resume?
  • Do you need help on brushing-up workplace skills?
  • Do you need additional employment support?
  • Our FSC staff is here to help you one-on-one.

Please Join our Job Fridays on October 16th and October 23rd from 9:30am until 12pm. Please contact Roberto Alcivar at 908 351 7727 Extension 235 to register.

Free COVID-19 Testing on October 1st from 10am – 1pm at the Linden Housing Authority Dill Avenue Parking Lot

It is important to get tested if you are experiencing any symptoms, have been in close contact with someone who tested positive, or were recently in a large crowd where social distancing was hard to maintain. This event is Sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

Social Security is here to help!

On behalf of the Social Security Administration (SSA), I want to let you know that during the current coronavirus pandemic, SSA continues to provide help to you and others in your community.

While their offices are not providing service to walk-in visitors due to COVID-19, SSA remains committed to providing ongoing benefits and vital services.  SSA asked me to let you know that they remain ready and able to help you by phone with most Social Security matters. You can speak with a representative by calling your local Social Security office or their National 800 Number.  They provide local office phone numbers conveniently online with their Social Security Office Locator.

SSA also wants you to know they have many secure and convenient online services to:

  • Apply for Retirement, Disability, and Medicare benefits,
  • Check the status of an application or appeal,
  • Request a replacement Social Security card (in most areas),
  • Print a benefit verification letter, and
  • Much more.

Most business with SSA can be done online, but they know that many people still rely on phone or in-person help.  That’s why they want you to know you can still count on them by phone. And, if you have a critical situation they cannot help you with by phone or online, they may be able to schedule an appointment for you.

If you need help from SSA, please don’t wait until they can see you in person.  Reach out now and get the help you need.

Lastly, SSA also understands that getting medical and other documentation can be difficult due to the pandemic.  So, they are continuing to extend certain deadlines wherever possible.

Sincerely,

Mayor Derek Armstead