PSGCNJ TRANSITION TIPS

Index of Transition Tips & How-To’s


Top 100 Niche Job Sites List:

  1. There are tons of job sites out there, but often during your job search on them you find few within a very particular job field or industry. If you want to get a job in a niche industry, it's even harder. Take a look at the Top 100 Niche Job Sites list so you can spend more time on effective job boards and land the job you want. (You may have to scroll down a little to see the topic in the middle of the page)
    >> http://newgradlife.blogspot.com/2009/12/top-100-niche-job-sites.html

Unemployment Benefits Tips:

  1. Where can I find out information and initiate a claim for unemployment benefits?
    >> http://lwd.dol.state.nj.us/labor/ui/ui_index.html
  2. What is a DoL “White Card” or “Scan Card”?
    >> This is the white plastic ID card with a barcode on it that identifies you when you make use of NJ DoL facilities and services (and which then enables the DoL to measure the value of their offerings).
    [NJ DoL White Scan Card image]

Besides having this card and scanning it in each time you use DoL facilities or services, you must also be registered with the DoL in order to take advantage of their facilities and services.  (You don’t necessarily need to be receiving cash unemployment benefits in order to be eligible to use their job search support facilities and services.)

  1. What is the maximum duration of benefits including all the extensions?
    >> It depends on your particular circumstances, but can go to 1½ years if unemployment remains high and government funding lasts.
  2. What kinds of re-training assistance programs are available?
    >> http://lwd.dol.state.nj.us/labor/wfprep/aidgrant/FinancialIndexNew.html
  3. What are the basic requirements of tuition waivers, tuition assistance and grants for in-transition persons?
    >> See the handout you were given at your initial unemployment orientation workshop.
  4. What are the detailed requirements of tuition waivers, tuition assistance and grants for in-transition persons?
    >> (We’ll be collecting and posting what details we are able to, but for now we can say it can be challenging to get the timing right to qualify.)
  5. What is the new COBRA (heath insurance for laid-off workers) assistance program the Obama administration introduced?
    >> http://www.nj.gov/recovery/programs/cobra.html
  6. (Further tips may be forthcoming.)

Money Saving Tips:

  1. What is Pfizer’s program for low-cost prescriptions for recently unemployed uninsured workers?
    >> http://www.PfizerHelpfulAnswers.com
  2. How can NJ Shares help pay electric &/or gas bills when I'm suddenly in transition?
    >> http://www.njshares.org/ , and for useful tips using this and for other programs, see in our Yahoo Group … http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/psgcnj/files/Administrative/
    >> “NJ Financial Programs.doc”
    • Note: NJ Shares is a budget-constrained program that runs out early every month, but replenished the next month.  Sometimes they don’t accept unemployment benefit check stubs as proof of meeting income requirements, but more often they do.
  3. How bad off do I have to be to qualify for Food Stamps?
    >> http://www.state.nj.us/humanservices/dfd/programs/foodstamps/index.html
    (i.e., very badly)

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Researching Company Backgrounds:

  1. Where can I research the background of companies?
    >> Visit the company’s web site
    >> Google News for recent new stories
    >> Use Reference USA and other databases offered by NJ’s public libraries over the Internet
    >> Use LinkedIn to find people currently employed there (or better yet, formerly employed there), and then use your LinkedIn network to request a dialog with that person (or even Google them elsewhere until you find an direct email address or phone number to call).
    >> http://glassdoor.com  and http://vault.com report “insider” comments

Retraining Tips:

  1. What are some of the easiest alternative careers to retrain for?
    >> The Lazy Man’s Way to Better Credentials, by Rachel Zupek, Careerbuilder.com writer
  2. For those interested in transitioning to Not-for-Profit ("NFP") professions, "The Idealist Guide to Nonprofit Careers for Sector Switchers" can be found at:
    >> http://www.idealist.org/sectorswitcher
    It is a free resource, described as for "mid-career transitioner", a "re-careerer", an "encore careerist", a "bridger", or a "sector switcher".

PSGCNJ Web Site Tips:

  1. Located under the Members section:
    >> How Can I Make A Transition or Tech Tip Suggestion (Or Correction), or a Web Site Suggestion (or Correction)?

Assistance Programs:

  1. Somerset County Board of Social Services for Assistance Programs.
    Main Office

    The Somerset County Board of Social Services offers rental assistance to those who are eligible, as resources permit. If an individual is in an extreme situation resulting in homelessness, the Board of Social Services offers Emergency Response services to those who qualify.
    Phone: 908-526-8800 (main office)

    >> http://www.socialservices.co.somerset.nj.us/
    State of New Jersey Housing Division
    75 Veterans Memorial Drive Suite 203
    Somerville, NJ 08876
    908-707-9010

Housing/Rental Resources:

  1. Information about affordable housing can be accessed through the Somerset County Coalition on Affordable Housing (SCCOAH)

    SCCOAH provides free individual and group counseling to help low and moderate income households with their housing needs. 600 First Ave. , Suite 3, Raritan, NJ 08869, 908-704-8901
    >> www.sccoah.org/ 

    New Jersey Housing Affordability Service, 609-292-9795.
    >> http://www.state.nj.us/dca/hmfa/biz/gov/njhas/index.html

    New Jersey Department of Community Affairs – New Jersey Housing Resource Center (NJHRC) 101 South Broad St., Trenton, NJ 08625, 609-633-6303.
    >> www.njhousing.gov

    Somerville Municipal Housing Authority
    25 West End Ave., Somerville, NJ 08876
    908.725.2300

    Community Connections
    Provides info about HUD programs including: homeless prevention, first time buyer, veterans, low income and accessible affordable housing.
    800-998-9999
    >> www.comcon.org/

    Websites that provide support with Rental Assistance:
    >> http://lwd.dol. state.nj.us/labor/wnjpin/suppsvcs/housing/HousingRentalAssistance.html
    >> http://www.hud. gov/local/nj/renting/assistanceprograms.cfm

    If you're willing to move, some apartments are reserved for low-income people.
    >> http://www.state.nj.us/dca/codes/affdhousing/affdhsgguide/index2.shtml
    >> http://www.hud.gov/apps/section8/step2.cfm?state=NJ%2CNew+Jersey

    Some charities try to help families cover their rent so they don't have to become homeless, but their priority is families with children.  For instance, The Red Cross.

    If there is such emergency, the police in any town are able to help someone find shelter for a night or two.  They cannot do a long term solution but should have a list of resources for longer needs. 

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Nutritional Resources:

  1. New Jersey Food Stamps

    Food Stamp Hotline Information & referral for federal programs
    1-800-792-9773
    >> https://foodstamps.dhs.state.nj.us/forms/frmHome.aspx

    Food Bank Network of Somerset County
    Provides nutritionally sound food for needy residents
    P.O. Box 149, Bound Brook, NJ 08805, 732-560-1813

    Samaritan Homeless Interim Program (SHIP)
    Food bank, soup kitchen and mobile nutrition vehicle.
    87 East High Street, Somerville, NJ 08876, 908-725-3260

    The Salvation Army
    Provides nutritionally sound food for residents in emergency need.
    108 Hamilton Street, Bound Brook, NJ 08805, 732-748-1146

    Somerset County Women, Infant, and Children (WIC)
    Provides supplemental nutritious foods to eligible pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women, infants and children up to the age of five.
    120 Finderne Ave., Bridgewater, NJ 08807, 908-685-8282

Health Resources:

  1. Persons wishing to apply for Adult Related Medicaid Programs may apply at the Somerville office. It is best to call for an appointment. If a person is too ill or disabled to come for an office visit, a home visit will be arranged or an authorized representative may be able to apply on the applicant's behalf.  They are located at:
    73 East High Street, Somerville NJ 08876
    908-526-8800
    and
    610 Franklin Blvd., Somerset NJ 08873
    732-846-6499
    >> http://www.socialservices.co.somerset.nj.us/medicaid.htm

Emergency Assistance:

  1. P.S.E.&G., Inc. LIHEAP and USF Energy Assistance Programs, also known as Home and Energy Assistance Program-Heating & Cooling assistance to eligible residents, 800-510-3102
    >> www.energyassistance.nj.gov/

    Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen-Family Financial Stability Program Services-Emergency financial assistance.  (limited funding availability).
    540 Route 22 E., Somerville, NJ 08876
    908-722-1881
    >> www.ccdom.org/

    NORWESCAP Housing and energy assistance.  350 Marshall St. Phillipsburg, NJ 08865
    877-661-HELP or 908-454-4850
    >> www.norwescap.org/

NJ Financial Programs:

  1. Low income Home Energy Assistance Program – 1-800-510-3102

    The Universal Service Fund (USF) - Year round help for low income residents of NJ - 1-866-240-1347

    NJ Lifeline Credit Program – Help for seniors and disabled low-income residents of NJ – 1-800-792-9745

    NJ Shares – Help for residents going through SHORT-TERM financial problems – 1-866-657-4273. Location for application – 432 Lewis St, Somerset off Easton Ave.   Call: 732-846-9888.
    >> www.pseg.com/billpaymentassistance

    Please be advised funds in the reserve are limited and one of the determining factors in the $$$ benefit you may or may not receive in assistance. 

    REQUIREMENTS FOR NJ SHARES:
    • Must complete application
    • Present SS Card
    • Energy Bill Must read:  SHUT NOTICE
    • Driver's license
    • 2 consecutive Unemployment payment stubs
    NOTE:
    • One Grant per calendar year
    • Must show good faith payment
    • Electric - $700.00 Grant Cap
    • Gas & Electric -  $1,000.00 Grant Cap
    • The amount given in grant payment is based on your balance due at the time of applying for the grant, and therefore determined on the monthly good faith payment you have been making to PSE&G.
    • If you hope to get the yearly grant dollar subsidy in full, be aware of the good faith payment you are making monthly.
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Professional Service Group of Central New Jersey
at Somerville (PSGCNJ)
75 Veterans Memorial Drive East
Somerville, NJ 08876
Phone: (908) 704-8114
Fax: (908) 575-3227
email: psgsomerville@dol.state.nj.us

For information/suggestions/questions regarding this website contact
the webmaster: webmaster@psgcnj.org