Describe your situation. Get a clear, ready-to-file path to local aid.
Help exists (utility relief, food assistance, housing support), but it is scattered across agencies and written for people who are not in a crisis. Compass turns a real-life situation into a personalized, grounded packet of the right programs, forms, and documents.
Compass prepares; you decide and file. Nothing is ever submitted for you.
Marisol, 34. Her hours were just cut. An electricity shutoff notice arrived, the fridge is nearly empty, and her two kids are at home.
One situation. Four different programs, each with its own office and paperwork: the kind of thing a search box can't assemble.
How it works
A single path from uncertainty to a next action.
You describe your situation
In plain language. No forms, no jargon, no logging in.
The agent plans and checks
It interprets your words, searches a real local directory, and checks rough eligibility, showing its work as it goes.
You get a ready-to-file packet
Matched programs with why each fit, a confidence level, the documents to bring, where to go, and a drafted cover email.
You decide and file
Compass never submits anything. You review, choose, and take the next step in control.
What Compass produces
A real example of the packet Marisol receives: matched programs, why each fits, a confidence level, the documents to bring, and a drafted cover email.
A path you can act on today
You're a parent in Jersey City whose work hours were just cut, you've received an electricity shutoff notice, and food is running low for your two young children.
PLEASE NOTE
Involves a child's benefits. Decisions about a child's benefits should involve a trusted adult or caseworker.
Cross-agency. These programs may overlap or need coordination — check how they affect each other.
LIHEAP & Universal Service Fund (Energy Assistance)
NJ Dept. of Community Affairs / DCAid
Why it fits — You have an active electricity shutoff notice and reduced income. LIHEAP and the Universal Service Fund help cover overdue energy bills for households in exactly this situation.
Eligibility — You likely qualify: NJ residency plus income within program limits for a household of three. Bring your shutoff notice and a recent pay stub to confirm.
- CALL
- 1-800-510-3102
- HOURS
- Online 24/7; statewide line Mon–Fri 8:30am–4:30pm
- WHERE
- Apply online at dcaid.dca.nj.gov; Hudson County in-person help at PACO, 390 Manila Ave, Jersey City, Hudson County
DOCUMENTS TO BRING
- ·Photo ID for the applicant
- ·Social Security cards for everyone in the household (birth certificate for infants under 12 months)
- ·Proof of income for the last 4 weeks (pay stubs, or SSA/SSI/pension award letters); a Zero-Income Statement for any adult with no income
- ·Proof you're responsible for the home: a current lease, or a mortgage or property-tax bill
- ·All pages of your most recent gas and electric bills
- ·Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency
Source: NJ DCA Division of Housing & Community Resources — FFY2026 USF/HEA factsheet and LIHEAP/USF application (nj.gov/dca/dhcr); local agency PACO. Verified Jun 2026. · Updated 2026-06
SNAP (Food Assistance / NJ SNAP)
Hudson County Dept. of Family Services / Welfare Division
Why it fits — A drop in income with children at home and an empty fridge is the core case SNAP is built for. It provides monthly funds for groceries.
Eligibility — You likely qualify based on a household of three and reduced earnings, though the county office makes the final determination.
- CALL
- 201-420-3000
- HOURS
- Mon–Fri 8:30am–4:15pm; apply online anytime
- WHERE
- 257 Cornelison Ave, Jersey City, Hudson County
DOCUMENTS TO BRING
- ·Valid photo ID
- ·Social Security number for each person applying
- ·Proof of immigration status (for household members who aren't U.S. citizens)
- ·Proof of income for the last 30 days (or proof of job loss / reduced hours)
- ·Proof of resources, such as recent bank statements
- ·Proof of Hudson County residence (a lease or utility bill)
Source: NJ DHS Division of Family Development — NJ SNAP (nj.gov/humanservices/njsnap); Hudson County Dept. of Family Services. Verified Jun 2026. · Updated 2026-06
WIC (Women, Infants & Children Nutrition)
City of Jersey City Dept. of Health & Human Services — WIC
Why it fits — WIC supports nutrition for young children and pregnant or postpartum parents; your children may fall within the eligible age range.
Eligibility — You may qualify if a child is under five. Confirm each child's age and bring proof of income.
- CALL
- 201-547-6842
- HOURS
- Mon–Fri 7:30am–4:00pm (plus some Saturdays)
- WHERE
- 1 Jackson Square, Jersey City, Hudson County
DOCUMENTS TO BRING
- ·Photo ID for the parent or guardian (and each applicant)
- ·Proof of NJ residency (license, lease, or two pieces of recent mail)
- ·Proof of income, OR a SNAP / Medicaid / TANF eligibility letter
- ·The child's immunization records
- ·Proof of pregnancy, if applying while pregnant
Source: NJ Dept. of Health WIC (nj.gov/health/fhs/wic); City of Jersey City DHHS WIC clinic. Verified Jun 2026. · Updated 2026-06
Triangle Park Community Center Food Pantry
Triangle Park Community Center
Why it fits — For food you need this week, a local pantry bridges the gap while SNAP and WIC applications are processed.
Eligibility — No formal eligibility. Pantries serve anyone in need. Call ahead for hours and what to bring.
- CALL
- 201-994-4302
- HOURS
- 3rd Saturday of each month, 10:00am–12:00pm
- WHERE
- 247 Old Bergen Road, Jersey City, Hudson County
DOCUMENTS TO BRING
- ·None required to receive food
- ·A photo ID and your own bags are helpful but optional
Source: Triangle Park Community Center (triangleparkcc.org); City of Jersey City certified food-pantry list. Verified Jun 2026 — confirm hours by phone. · Updated 2026-06
Help near you
The offices and pantries matched to you — tap a point for hours and directions.
Documents to gather
One combined checklist across your matched programs.
Drafted cover email
A starting point — adapt it, then send it yourself.
Hello, My name is [Your name] and I live in Jersey City. My work hours were recently cut and I received a notice that my electricity will be shut off. I have two young children at home and am seeking help with my energy bill and food assistance. Could you tell me what I need to apply and whether I can be seen this week? You can reach me at [Phone] or [Email]. Thank you for your time. [Your name]
Compass prepared this packet. Nothing has been sent. You decide and file.
Why an agent, not a search box
A web search returns ten links and leaves the work to you: figuring out which programs apply, whether you qualify, and what each one needs. Compass does that reasoning: it plans the lookups, matches a real directory, checks rough eligibility, and assembles the paperwork into one packet.
Every match shows its reasoning: why it fit, a confidence level, and its source in the directory.
Eligibility is rough, never a verdict. Uncertain cases are flagged for a person to confirm.
No autonomous submit. Compass prepares the packet; you stay in control of filing.