Available COVID-19 Federal Benefits 

There are several opportunities available to help students obtain Federal benefits related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Please review the information below and use the links to access full details about the benefits and eligibility requirements.

Recovery Rebate Credit / Economic Impact Payment

Students or parents who did not already receive an Economic Impact Payment under the American Rescue Plan, could be eligible for a $1,400 per-person Recovery Rebate Credit when they file taxes in 2022. To be eligible for the full amount, a student/parent would have to be one of the following:

• Single and make less than $75,000/year;
• The head of a household and make less than $112,500/year; or
• Married and the couple together makes less than $150,000.

For more information on eligibility, visit the IRS website on Economic Impact Payments.

Affordable Broadband Service Program (EBBP)

The aim of this $14.2 billion program is to provide eligible low-income households, especially households with students, with access to broadband service at an affordable rate. Eligible households can receive a benefit of up to $30.00 off their monthly Internet bill. You can get details on the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program website.

Households that were fully enrolled in the EBBP by December 31, 2021, will continue to receive their current monthly benefit until Tuesday, March 1, 2022. Some participating providers are also offering an additional one-time benefit of up to $100.00 off a connected device (desktop computer, laptop, or tablet) supplied by that participating provider.  Households are required to contribute more than $10.00 but less than $50.00 toward that connected device.

Eligible households must apply for both the program and contact a participating provider to select a service plan.

Child Tax Credit

The American Rescue Plan increased the 2021 Child Tax Credit to support families with children. Eligible individuals may receive up to $3,600.00 for each child under age 6 and up to $3,000 for each child ages 6 through 17, if the child lived with them for more than half of 2021 and the student or parent is either a single parent making less than $112,500 or is married, making less than $150,000.

Most individuals should have received the tax credit automatically, but if they did not and they are eligible, they should receive the full amount of the credit when they file their 2022 income tax return.  The credit is fully refundable, meaning that even those who do not owe any taxes can claim the full amount and get a payment back equal to the full amount of the credit.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

You may be eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), a Federal program that provides nutrition benefits to supplement the food budget of low-income individuals and families so they can purchase healthy food. Eligible students can use SNAP benefits to buy food for their households, including fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, dairy products, breads, cereals and other foods such as snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages.

The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 temporarily added two new provisions allowing eligibility for students:

• Expected family contribution (EFC) of zero (0) or
• Eligible to participate in State or Federally funded work study.

You can find your local office or State SNAP website using the SNAP State Directory of Resources website. For more information about student eligibility and other student exemptions, visit the SNAP Students website.

Other Federal Assistance

Examples of other Federal assistance that you may qualify for:

Housing Assistance

The American Rescue Plan expanded numerous COVID-19 housing supports for homeowners, renters and landlords who may be struggling to pay their rent or mortgage. Links to available resources and applications are available through the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Unemployment Insurance

If you have become unemployed through no fault of your own (as determined under State law), and meet other eligibility requirements of State law, you may be eligible for unemployment insurance benefits.

• Unemployment insurance payments (benefits) are intended to provide temporary financial assistance to unemployed workers who meet the requirements of State law.
• Each State administers a separate unemployment insurance program within guidelines established by Federal law.
• Eligibility for unemployment insurance, benefit amounts, and the length of time benefits are available are determined by the State law under which unemployment insurance claims are established.

You can contact NJ Unemployment as soon as possible, after becoming unemployed.