On Tuesday, February 8th, the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA) will open the application portal for the Emergency Rescue Mortgage Assistance program (ERMA) to help protect thousands of homeowners from foreclosure.

This program will provide up to $35,000 in assistance to cover mortgage arrearages, delinquent property taxes, and other housing costs for eligible homeowners negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

NJHMFA will also provide free housing counseling services to help New Jersey homeowners apply for this program, guide them through all available options, and even work with their loan servicers to achieve the best outcome available for their families. These counselors will also ensure that the process is accessible to those without access to internet or anyone needing assistance with the application.

The ERMA application portal will open for applications on February 8th, 2022 at 9 am.

Visit NJHMFA's ERMA page to review program eligibility and sign up for program updates.

A recent survey of NJ hospitals showed that 93% of adults hospitalized with COVID-19 had not received a booster. Over a 24-hour period, 96% of adults who visited the Emergency Room (ER) for COVID-19 had not received a booster.

A booster is recommended for everyone 12 years and older. The recommended timing for a booster dose is as follows:

• Pfizer (Age 12+) or Moderna (Age 18+) — at least 5 months after receiving the initial vaccine series

• J&J (Age 18+) — at least 2 months after receiving your J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine

Increase your chances of staying out of the hospital by getting a COVID-19 booster!

Use the Vaccine Appointment Finder or call the New Jersey Vaccine Call Center at 855-568-0545.

There are more than 1,000 testing sites open across the state, and New Jersey is continuously working with partners at the local, county, and federal levels to expand accessibility.

It's especially important to get tested if you are feeling sick or have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.

To get tested:

• Find testing sites near you, including their hours and testing requirements.
• Order a free at-home saliva test, shipped to your home at no cost.
• Order free rapid antigen tests, shipped to your home at no cost.
• Visit a free, public testing site, including mega testing sites in East Orange and Galloway.

If you test positive for COVID-19, you should stay home and isolate for 5 days. If you have no symptoms or your symptoms are resolving after 5 days, you can leave your house but should continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days. If you have a fever, continue to stay home until your fever resolves.

For more help on knowing how long to stay home after testing positive or being exposed to COVID-19, use this Isolation and Quarantine Calculator.

Docket is a mobile app that makes it easier for you and your family to securely access your COVID-19 vaccination record.

If you don't have your vaccination card with you or have lost it, you can easily access your record through the app to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination, as needed.

The Docket app is now available in the App Store or on Google Play.