Programs and Tools to Foster Financial Stability

For a comprehensive listing of programs and agencies dedicated to fostering financial stability search the NJ 211 database located at the top of this page using the "Need/Topic" terms financial counseling or family success centers.

New Jersey Citizen Action

New Jersey Citizen Action conducts free coaching services as well as educational workshops on fair housing laws, consumer financial protections, predatory lending, and other financial frauds. 

Free Tax Assistance

Throughout New Jersey, there are tax assistance sites that help individuals of low-to-moderate income, individuals with disabilities, and non-English speaking taxpayers. Learn more about this program. Find a local tax assistance site.

College Preparation and FASFA Assistance 

The United Way of Greater Mercer County and helps college-bound students and their parents complete the FASFA and provides help to students writing their college admission essays.

The United Way of Passaic County also provides assistance to students and their families to complete the FASFA through their Financial Aid U program. This program will help walk students through identifying and accessing financial aid resources for post-secondary education. Workshops are provided on a variety of topics such as college applications and budgeting for students. 

Financial Education and Counseling

United Way of Greater Newark serves western Hudson County: Belleville, Maplewood, East Newark, Newark, East Orange, North Arlington, Harrison, Nutley, Irvington, Orange, Kearny, South Orange, and West Orange. As the backbone of the Newark Asset Building Coalition, United Way of Greater Newark provides financial literacy classes and financial and credit counseling.

Employment Assistance

The United Way of Gloucester County’s Steps to a Career Program assists people experiencing separation, divorce, domestic violence, being widowed, or the total disability of their spouse. The program helps people choose a career path and prepares them for employment. Learn more about this program by calling 856-845-4303.

The United Way of Greater Union County helps individuals build their job skills to prepare them for employment.

United Way of Monmouth and Ocean Counties’ Financial Success Center provides job search assistance and resume building for those preparing for employment.

United Way of Delaware serves Salem County. Through their Stand By Me program, individuals receive one-on-one financial coaching with trained professionals. Coaching is virtual and confidential. Learn more about the Stand By Me program.

United Way of Greater Union County’s Financial Literacy Program includes workshops and advisory sessions where we provide families with financial education to establish healthier financial habits. The United Way of Greater Union County also provides job skills training. Learn more about programs in Union County that promote financial stability. 

Other Programs for Financial Stability 

The United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey, which serves Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, & Cumberland Counties, offers the Family Empowerment Program. This program helps families establish and maintain upward mobility by providing financial knowledge and coaching on accumulating and maintaining assets that gain value. Learn more about this program. 

United Way of Hunterdon County’s Hunterdon Hygiene Connection distributes diapers, baby supplies, menstrual products, and incontinence products. Individuals can visit any of the food pantry partners to receive assistance. Learn more about this program. 

United Way of Greater Newark serves western Hudson County: Belleville, Maplewood, East Newark, Newark, East Orange, North Arlington, Harrison, Nutley, Irvington, Orange, Kearny, South Orange, and West Orange. As the backbone of the Newark Asset Building Coalition, United Way of Greater Newark provides the first-time homebuyer program which prepares first-time homebuyers for the responsibilities of homeownership. 

The United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey, which serves Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, & Cumberland Counties, offers a Match Savings program that helps individuals build saving for emergencies, homeownership, post-secondary education, and small business expansion. The matching rate is dependent on the program, but ranges from 4:1 to 2:1. Learn more about this program and how to apply. 

United Way of Monmouth and Ocean Counties’ Financial Success Center provides comprehensive resources such as benefit application assistance, childcare subsidy assistance, budgeting and money management, and housing counseling. 

NJFinLit

New Jersey offers a free financial wellness tool called NJFinLit. This website provides information on budgeting, retirement planning, searching for a job, and more. 

America Saves

America Saves helps individuals save money, reduce debt, and build wealth. Individuals can access financial educational materials in the Resource Center and learn about the importance of setting financial goals.  

Social Security Administration

The Social Security Administration offers a Retirement Estimator that will enable you to calculate estimated social security benefits based on your current earnings.

The National Foundation for Credit Counseling

The National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) offers counseling on a wide array of topics and situations. Call 833-715-1148 to learn more. 

The NJ Coalition for Financial Education

The NJ Coalition for Financial Education offers educational seminars for individuals and teachers in various locations throughout the state.

Take Charge America

Take Charge America helps people improve their financial future by providing financial education, credit counseling, debt management, student loan support, pre-bankruptcy counseling, and housing counseling. 

Financial Education for Military Personnel

Hands on Banking provides military personnel with financial education designed to keep them and their families on a path to financial stability.