View PDF file of May 2017
- A Guide to Continuing Disability Reviews for SSD/SSI Claims
View PDF file of April 2017
- SNAP—New Jersey’s Food Stamp Program
- Language Assistance Services for Hospital Patients
- CLEARING YOUR RECORD ONLINE
View PDF file of March 2017
- How can I stop online harassment?
- Tips for preparing your unemployment claim
- New Jersey Simplified Nutritional Assistance For Seniors (SNAS)
- 2016 Looking Out Index
View PDF file of January-February 2017
- Information to help you prepare and file your 2016 federal income tax return
View PDF file of December 2016
- After your eviction hearing
- Filing wage claims
- Routine automobile consent searches
View PDF file of November 2016
- How to put off your eviction if you need more time
- Doing legal research
- Your rights in civil forfeiture proceedings
View PDF file of October 2016
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
- How to obtain a temporary restraining order
-
The 18 crimes of domestic violence
-
The NJ SAFE Act: employment protections for victims of domestic and sexual violence.
View PDF file of September 2016
- What you need to know to vote in the General Election on November 8, 2016
- ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) accounts
- Important information about the Welfare to Work Program
View PDF file of July-August 2016
- School residency requirements
- Rights of homeless students
- Preparing for a domestic violence trial
View PDF file of June 2016
- Why is the “suitability of new work” an important issue in unemployment claims?
- What should you do if your welfare benefits are sanctioned?
- If the welfare office does something that you think is wrong, you can challenge the decision.
View PDF file of May 2016
- New Jersey Simplified Nutritional Assistance For Seniors (SNAS)
- Paternity in New Jersey
- The Sexual Assault Survivor Protection Act
View PDF file of April 2016
- MAGI (Modified Adjusted Gross Income) is the new method for calculating your countable income for most Medicaid programs.
- Appealing a “Substantiated Finding” DCP&P
- SNAP time limits and work rules for ABAWDs
- A landlord’s refusal to rent to Section 8 recipients is illegal
View PDF file of March 2016
- New crimes added to domestic violence law
- Understanding the results of your DCP&P investigation
- Changes to expungement law
- Exemptions to SNAP time limits for 18-49-year-olds
- 2015 Looking Out Index
View PDF file of January-February 2016
Information to help you prepare and file your 2015 federal income tax return.
View PDF file of December 2015
- Can you get unemployment benefits if you resign for medical reasons?
- Understanding your security deposit
- Expunge your criminal record online
View PDF file of November 2015
- NJ FamilyCare
- Continuing Disability Reviews
View PDF file of October 2015
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
- How to Obtain a Final Restraining Order
- How to Prepare for a Domestic Violence Restraining Order Risk Assessment
- A Checklist for Victims of Domestic Violence
View PDF file of September 2015
- Wage advice for workers
- What is the difference between Kinship Legal Guardianship and adoption?
- Custody and parenting Issues for parents living in different states
View PDF file of July-August 2015
- What happens when you move out of an apartment and leave personal belongings behind?
- What is tax-related identity theft?
View PDF file of June 2015
- To get unemployment benefits after you quit your job, you must show that you left for “good cause attributable to the work.”
- A recent New Jersey law gives protections to human trafficking victims.
View PDF file of May 2015
- Programs to Prevent Eviction
- Relocation and Custody: Can My Child Move Out of New Jersey?
View PDF file of April 2015
- In certain cases, you may be able to get your parental rights back after they have been terminated.
- If the welfare office does something that you think is wrong, you can challenge the decision.
- 2014 Looking Out Index
View PDF file of March 2015
- How to Obtain an Adjournment for Your FRO Hearing
- How to Serve a Divorce Complaint on a Spouse Who Has a Domestic Violence Restraining Order Against You
- NJ Law Requires Employers to “Ban the Box”
- Applying for Welfare: things you should know
View PDF file of January-February 2015
This issue of Looking Out will give you basic information about filing your 2014 federal taxes and answer some of the most common questions taxpayers ask.
View PDF file of December 2014
- How improper earnings information can affect your Social Security Disability claim
- New Jersey’s Victims of Crime Compensation Office (VCCO)
- Help with utility costs: LIHEAP and USF
-
Are you paid in cash? You must still file a federal tax return.
- Juvenile delinquency records may be released in certain situations
View PDF file of November 2014
- A representative payee is a person who manages Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits for a benefit payee (the person receiving SSD or SSI benefits).
- If you have a criminal record, there are federal and state laws that can place significant barriers or completely bar you from receiving certain types of benefits.
- The New Jersey Safe Housing Act allows domestic violence victims who are tenants to end their lease before it is over. The purpose of the law is to help victims who are tenants find safe, long-term housing.
View PDF file of October 2014
- Amending a Domestic Violence Temporary Restraining Order
- Examples of Acts of Domestic Violence
- The 14 Crimes of Domestic Violence
- October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
View PDF file of September 2014
Back-to-School Issue:
- Why is My Child in Court? The New Youth Participation in Court Pilot Program in New Jersey
- How Can I Get a Copy of My Criminal History Record?
- Your Rights in Civil Forfeiture Proceedings
View PDF file of July-August 2014
Back-to-School Issue:
- School Residency Requirements
- Rights of Homeless Students
View PDF file of June 2014
- Health Insurance—Not too Late to Sign Up
- Unemployment Overpayments
- DACA Renewals
View PDF file of May 2014
- Know your rights when a child support bench warrant is issued for your arrest
- 2014 tax penalties under the Affordable Care Act
- How to get more time to move if you are evicted
View PDF file of April 2014
- Has your child been tested for lead poisoning?
- SNAP benefits—make sure you get credit for utility expenses
- Special housing grants for veterans with disabilities
- Child custody
View PDF file of March 2014
- Revenge porn—how to protect yourself
- DCP&P and domestic violence
- New Jersey minimum wage increased
View PDF file of January-February 2014
Information to Help You Prepare and FileYour 2013 Federal Income Tax Return.
View PDF file of December 2013
- Your rights against illegal actions by your landlord
- Your rights when the Division of Child Protection and Permanency visits your home
View PDF file of November 2013
- Hurricane Sandy Insurance Claims
- Help with court fees
- Changes to the GED testing process
View PDF file of October 2013
- NJ SNAP Benefits Decrease on November 1
- NJ Safe Act: Protection for Victims of Physical Violence
- Continuing Disability Reviews for SSD/SSI Claims
- School Nutrition Programs
View PDF file of September 2013
- Child Abuse Registry
- Mobile Home Tenants’ Rights
- Applying for Welfare
View PDF file of July-August 2013
School Opening Alert:
- School Residency Requirements
- Rights of Homeless Students
View PDF file of June 2013
- The Affordable Care Act
- Personal Care Assistants
- Expungeable drug convictions
View PDF file of May 2013
In this issue, learn about subpoenas and how they can be used in a domestic violence action, how to be recognized as a child’s legal mother or father, your rights when applying for welfare, and a new resource guide for “aging out” youth.
View PDF file of April 2013
This issue features articles about vocational rehabilitation services, provisional USCIS waivers, and options for domestic violence victims who do not get a final restraining order.
View PDF file of March 2013
This issue features articles about school discipline (in English and Spanish) and NJ civil unions.
View PDF file of January-February 2013
This issue of Looking Out is written to help you understand basic federal income tax rules and answer some of the most common questions taxpayers ask.
View PDF file of December 2012
- When a disaster strikes, some additional consumer protections and resources are available—and other protections that always apply deserve attention because so many people will need them.
- A power of attorney is a written legal document that allows another person to act on your behalf in matters of finance, property, business, or legal affairs.
View PDF file of November 2012
- Advice for New Jersey tenants displaced by Hurricane Sandy
- Temporary relief for immigrants after Hurricane Sandy
- Public interest expungements
View PDF file of October 2012
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. This issue includes articles about the New Jersey Safe Housing Act, domestic violence restraining orders, and examples of acts of domestic violence.
View PDF file of September 2012
This issue includes articles about the legal rights of domestic workers, Internet filing for unemployment benefits, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, and the HIPAA privacy rule.
View PDF file of July-August 2012
This back-to-school issue explains school residency requirements and the rights of homeless students.
View PDF file of June 2012
- The law protects nursing home residents from being forced to leave the facility against their will (“involuntarily discharge”).
- On June 15, 2012, President Obama announced that certain people are eligible for deferred action if they would have been eligible under the “Dream Act.”
View PDF file of May 2012
- Wills and Estates
- Temporary Protected Status for Syrians
View PDF file of April 2012
- Learn the differences between the SSD and SSI programs for people with disabilities. (English and Spanish)
- Read about low-cost spay/neuter services to help you care for your pet.
- Find an index to 2011 Looking Out articles.
View PDF file of March 2012
- What to Do When You Disagree With a Special Education Decision
- The 14 Crimes of Domestic Violence
View PDF file of January-February 2012
This issue of Looking Out provides important information about filing your 2011 federal income tax return.
View PDF file of December 2011
- The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has two powerful tools to collect taxes: a tax lien and a tax levy. This article explains the differences between a lien and a levy and how the IRS uses them.
- If you are representing yourself in court, this article will explain how to cross-examine (question) opposing witnesses.
View PDF file of November 2011
- How to Appeal a Finding by DYFS That You Have Abused or Neglected Your Child
- What happens after DYFS receives a report about abuse or neglect of a child?
- What happens if DYFS makes a substantiated finding of abuse or neglect?
- What are the negative things that may happen as a result of a substantiated finding of abuse or neglect?
- What steps are involved in appealing a finding of abuse or neglect?
- How do I prepare for the hearing?
View PDF file of October 2011
- New Jersey was declared a federal disaster area as a result of Hurricane Irene.
- The disaster declaration permits the Internal Revenue Service to postpone certain filing deadlines for affected taxpayers.
- Personal property losses caused by the hurricane may be deductible on your 2011 tax return or you can amend your 2010 tax return to include the losses.
- New Jersey's new anti-bullying law makes it easier for schools to prevent, report, investigate, and respond to bullying.
- The New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs (DCA) is targeting scammers who offer harmful immigration services or overpriced notary services to people with limited English-speaking ability.
View PDF file of September 2011
- People with disabilities who work, and their families, need to know their legal rights and available benefits.
- If you are representing yourself in court, you should be ready to tell your side of the story. You should know that you have a right to call witnesses who can help you prove that you are telling the truth and that your version of events is the correct one.
- A new Internet access plan is now available for $9.95 a month wherever Comcast offers Internet service. The plan is intended to help low-income households get online.
View PDF file of July-August 2011
- TRUE is a new, one-time assistance program for low- to moderate-income New Jersey families who are unable to pay their electric and natural gas bills because of an economic hardship.
- If you are applying for a job, it is important to get a copy of your criminal record to know what information it contains and what you can do so that your criminal record will not prevent you from getting a job.
- Are you enrolling your child in school this September? If so, there are some important things to know about school enrollment and your child’s right to attend school.
View PDF file of June 2011
- Choosing a nursing home can be difficult, especially if you need to rely on Medicaid to cover the cost of nursing home care. This article will explain the most important things you and your family should focus on as you make this important choice.
- If you have insurance through Medicaid or New Jersey FamilyCare, you should know about a new service offered through Logisticare.
View PDF file of May 2011
- Schools must keep records of certain types of student information. This article gives parents and students an overview of the types of information school records should include, who can see a student’s school records, and what to do when there is a dispute about the information included in the school records.
- If you have insurance through Medicaid or New Jersey FamilyCare, you should know about a new service offered through Logisticare.
- Federal and state laws require health care providers and hospitals receiving federal money to offer language assistance services to patients.
View PDF file of April 2011
- This guide to car repairs is intended to offer useful advice to help New Jersey consumers avoid some of the problems that may result from a trip to the auto mechanic.
- If you experience domestic violence from a spouse, former spouse, or parent of one of your children, you may be eligible for a temporary restraining order.
View PDF file of March 2011
- A new law passed in New Jersey lets children placed in foster homes by the Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS) stay in their current schools, even if their foster home is located in another school district.
- The law gives you several ways to assert your right as a tenant to safe and decent housing and to make your landlord repair defective conditions in your rental unit.
View PDF file of January-February 2011 issue
2010 INCOME TAX ISSUE
This issue of Looking Out provides important information about filing your 2010 federal income taxes.
- What income is considered taxable income?
- I’ve heard that tax refunds will be delayed this year. Is that true?
- Do I have to pay taxes on welfare or food stamps?
- I was out of work for part of 2010. Is the money I got from unemployment taxable?
- Are Social Security benefits taxable?
- I’m a veteran. How are my VA benefits treated?
- What is the difference between a W-2 and a 1099?
- I got a 1099-C. Why did I get this, and does it affect my taxes?
- What is the difference between exemptions, deductions, and credits?
- Important Tax Credits
- ITINs
- Free Tax Preparation for Low-Income Taxpayers
- The article about ITINs (Individual Tax Identification Numbers) has been translated into French-Creole and Spanish for this issue.