New Jerseyans are encouraged to take the necessary precautions to keep themselves and their loved ones healthy in advance of upcoming holiday gatherings. Respiratory viruses, including COVID-19, influenza, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) are currently circulating throughout the state.

Residents are particularly encouraged to stay up-to-date on COVID-19 and flu vaccinations, including receiving the updated bivalent COVID-19 booster when eligible.

Everyone six months of age and older is now eligible for the bivalent COVID-19 vaccinations that target recently circulating Omicron subvariants. COVID-19 vaccines are free to everyone. Find locations offering COVID-19 vaccines and boosters on the COVID-19 Vaccine Finder and Community Calendar.

Flu vaccines, which are often covered by insurers at little to no cost to individuals, can be found at pharmacies, health care provider offices, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), and local health departments. FQHCs and health departments may also offer the flu vaccine at little to no cost for eligible uninsured or underinsured individuals.

Everyone is encouraged to take common sense measures to protect themselves and the people around them. This includes coughing or sneezing into your sleeve, washing your hands, staying home when you're sick, and wearing a mask if you or someone you're spending time with is at high risk of severe illness.

If symptoms appear, get tested for COVID-19. Free at-home test kits are available from the federal government and testing is offered for free at certain sites around New Jersey. 

Keep children home from school and child care centers if they are feeling unwell. Flu and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) are impacting schools and child care settings in New Jersey right now.

More options and lower premiums are available for residents seeking health insurance coverage at Get Covered New Jersey, the official health insurance marketplace of New Jersey.

About 9 in 10 residents who enroll through Get Covered New Jersey will qualify for financial assistance with health coverage premiums. No one will pay more than 8.5% of their income for health insurance through Get Covered New Jersey.

The Open Enrollment Period for 2023 coverage at Get Covered New Jersey will run from November 1st, 2022 to January 31st, 2023. Consumers must enroll by December 31st, 2022 for coverage starting January 1st, 2023; if they enroll by January 31st, 2023, coverage will begin February 1st, 2023.

If you are having trouble paying your electric, sewer, or water bills, you may be eligible to avoid disconnection through the Winter Termination Program. Until March 15th, 2023, people unable to pay their utility bills due to circumstances beyond their control, as well as people receiving certain types of public assistance, can receive forbearance by contacting their utility company.

Individuals or families experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness can contact their county social service agency for assistance. After business hours, call 211 or visit NJ211.org.

SNAP Navigators will soon be available in all 21 counties to help people seeking assistance from the state Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). SNAP Navigators can answer questions about SNAP and can help people apply for SNAP benefits. There are 11 agencies with SNAP Navigators available to assist residents throughout New Jersey.

More than three million residents are eligible for up to $1,500 in property tax relief under the ANCHOR program.

Tenants and renters who were previously ineligible because their unit was covered by a PILOT agreement can now apply for the ANCHOR benefit.

To be eligible for this year's benefit, you must have occupied your primary residence on October 1st, 2019. You must also file (or be exempt from) NJ income taxes. The deadline for filing has been extended to January 31st, 2023.