Legal, Citizenship, and Naturalization Resources
The following organizations offer help with legal issues, including topics such as immigration, citizenship, naturalization, and residency.
211: Resource Hotline | 911: Emergencies | 988: Suicide & Crisis Hotline
Union Township Police Department Non Emergency: (908) 851-5000
Overlook Medical Center: (908) 522-2000
Union County Division of Social Services: (908) 965-2700
Union County YWCA Domestic Violence Hotline: (908) 355-4357
NJ Sexual Trauma Resource Center: (973) 300-5609
NJ Division of Child Protection & Permanency: (908) 820-3000
Domestic Violence Hotline: (800) 799-7233
Sexual Assault Hotline: (800) 656-4673
Social Security: (800) 772-1213
Medicare: (800) 633-4227
Call 2 1 1: from the United Way. A confidential health and human services hotline.
Speak with a live, highly trained service professional in your area. All calls are confidential. Accessible 24/7/365 / 180 Languages / Completely confidential.
Assistance with youth in crisis, Food, Health, Housing & Utilities, Human Trafficking, Jobs & Employment, Reentry, Veterans
NJ Housing Assistance Guide
North Jersey Community Research Initiative
Adult Drop-In Center
https://www.njcri.org/community-services
“The Drop-in center at NJCRI is a clean and safe space for displaced adults, as well as those battling with substance abuse. Individuals can shower, wash clothes, and have a lunch or snack. We are here not only to help but to empower by giving them access to services, support groups, and educational and life lesson workshops to facilitate positive change and improvement in their quality of life. We continuously work with community partners to provide innovative and comprehensive services to those affected by homelessness.”
393 Central Ave
Newark NJ, 07103
Phone: 973-483-3444
The Salvation Army
https://newjersey.salvationarmy.org/NewJersey/homeless
The Salvation Army operates two emergency shelters serving adults. The first is located in Elizabeth with a 45 bed capacity, and the second in Montclair with a 23 bed capacity. Both programs offer additional supportive services to facilitate independence and self-sufficiency. These facilities should be contacted directly for more information.
Elizabeth Shelter: 908-352-2886 | Montclair Cornerstone Shelter: 973-744-8666
Union County Division on Aging
Turning Point Community Services
https://tpcsinc.org/servants-house/
“Servant’s House is an enhanced emergency housing model in operation since February 2002. TPCS has provided housing and supportive services to over 3,000 individuals in this program.
Our shelter has the capacity to house 24 families (depending upon family size/composition) and is staffed 24 hours a day in order to provide a safe and secure housing environment.”
1011 Grove Street
Irvington, NJ 07111
Phone (973) 374-7838
Urban Renewal Corp.
Providing emergency housing.
https://www.urbanrenewal.org/emergency-housing/
Phone: 973-522-0544
“(URC) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3), community- based organization. We are committed to addressing and counteracting the effects of homelessness. Our organization has been providing emergency housing and comprehensive social services to not only veterans, economically disadvantaged and the adult homeless population, but to thousands of hard to place individuals including violent and long-term, multigenerational offenders in Newark, Essex County/Hudson Counties since 1994.”
Family Promise Union County
https://familypromise.org/family-promise-union-county/
Family Promise Union County (FPUC) is overseen by the national Family Promise office. It provides a holistic approach, through a comprehensive set of services, to families experiencing homelessness and families at-risk of homelessness in Union County, New Jersey.
First Baptist Church
402 Union Avenue
Elizabeth, NJ 07208
Phone: (908) 289-7300
The Salvation Army
https://newjersey.salvationarmy.org/NewJersey/homeless
The Salvation Army operates an emergency shelter in Montclair with a 23 bed capacity. The program offers additional supportive services to facilitate independence and self-sufficiency. The Montclair facility should be contacted directly for more information. Montclair Cornerstone Shelter: 973-744-8666
YWCA programs for women and children
https://www.ywcaunioncounty.org/residential-programs/
Hotline at (908) 355-4357
NJ Helps
This site will help to see if you are eligible for food assistance (SNAP), cash assistance (WFNJ/TANF or WFNJ/GA), and health Insurance (NJ FamilyCare/Medicaid). From there you can apply for services or learn about additional resources.
Partnership for Maternal & Child Health
Our mission is to meet the healthcare needs of women, infants and children in NJ while coordinating education, outreach and advocacy through regional planning and collaboration. The consortium conducts extensive community outreach and educational programs for the consumers and health care providers in the state of New Jersey.
973-268-2280 https://www.partnershipmch.org/
Community Food Bank of NJ
Can choose by county and see dozens of food pantry options.
MEND. Hunger Relief Network
Download a list of food pantries in and around the area with schedules, addresses and contact information.
Call 2 1 1: from the United Way. A confidential health and human services hotline.
Speak with a live, highly trained service professional in your area. All calls are confidential. Accessible 24/7/365 / 180 Languages / Completely confidential.
Assistance with youth in crisis, Food, Health, Housing & Utilities, Human Trafficking, Jobs & Employment, Reentry, Veterans
Union County Division on Aging https://ucnj.org/dhs/aging/
Lutheran Social Ministries of New Jersey
The Immigration Program of Lutheran Social Ministries of New Jersey provides low-cost immigration legal services to those unable to afford a private attorney. The Program is staffed with an immigration attorney and a BIA Accredited Representative. Each year, they assist an average of 1000 persons with a wide variety of immigration legal needs including consultations on all immigration matters, family petitions, permanent residence, citizenship, employment authorization, Temporary Protected Status, Suspension of Deportation (NACARA), violence Against Woman Act (VAWA) self-petitions, and (DACA).
Contact: 609-393-4900 Website: http://www.lsmnj.org/
LatinoJustice
Latino Justice operates a free bilingual hotline for individuals of all ages to report and/or seek assistance on civil rights violations. Services provided include: legal aid, navigating the system, hotlines, and referrals. LatinoJustice takes on impact litigation and, as such, does not typically represent individual clients, except as they represent a broader population. For example, we may represent one or more named clients in a case that will have an impact on hundreds of thousands of people as in our voter protection cases. This program covers residents of All US states and territories. Contact: https://www.latinojustice.org/en/form/contact-us
Phone: 800-328-2322 212-219-3360
Open Monday-Friday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM EST
HIAS U.S.
HIAS U.S. legal program seeks to safeguard and increase rights for refugees and other displaced people upon their arrival to the U.S. and throughout their journey to citizenship. Consultations are held on the first Friday of every month. Please call the New York office for more information. This office also provides services to clients living in New Jersey. Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society provides services pro bono (free). This program provides representation in deportation proceedings, assistance obtaining humanitarian visas and asylum, case management, access to medical, psychosocial, educational, vocational, dental and housing, assistance obtaining work permits, small stipends for qualifying clients, referrals to career coaches, and wraparound mentorship. This office provides services to clients living in New York and New Jersey.
Next Steps: Call 212-613-1341 or go to: https://hias.org/legal-services/
ImmigrationHelp.org
ImmigrationHelp.org provides a team of immigration experts help users prepare their immigration forms for free by giving them the tools needed to apply on their own. It provides free attorney review of applications for low-income users, victims of abuse, asylum seekers, and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) or “Dreamers,” and covers all US residents. There is no cost. This program provides assistance with forms needed for citizenship, Green Cards and permits, for work and travel. Contact: https://www.immigrationhelp.org/
DACA Hotline/NALEO Educational Fund
NALEO provides a national toll-free bilingual hotline to assist those looking for information about applying for DACA. This program provides assistance in locating DACA legal resources and information about DACA applications. They serve all ages. Call 844-411-3222 to get services or go to: https://naleo.org/apply-for-deferred-action/ to get more info.
USAHello
USAHello offers free US Citizenship Test Prep Class to anyone in need, but targets refugees and immigrants looking to become citizens. The free US Citizenship Test Class provides 30 online lessons for individuals to prepare for the US Citizenship test. This program teaches integrated civics, history, and government and offers a full-length practice exam. Contact: https://classroom.usahello.org/programs/us-citizenship-test-preparation/ or call: 503-468-5474
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
https://www.uscis.gov/citizenship/find-study-materials-and-resources
