The federal government shutdown as of October 1, 2025. Here are updates on the programs managed by the Division of Family Development.
Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)
At this time, Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) benefit payments will not be interrupted and there will be no impact to CCAP families or providers. Continue to visit the Child Care NJ website for ongoing updates as they become available.
Child Support
We do not anticipate an interruption to the collection or disbursement of child support payments or general child support operations. Continue to visit the NJ Child Support website for ongoing updates as they become available.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
New Jersey was notified by the federal government that if the shutdown continues, November 2025 SNAP benefits will not be available on November 1.
SNAP benefits loaded on your Families First EBT card prior to October 31, 2025 will be available for you to use after November 1, 2025. Before going to the grocery store after November 1, we encourage SNAP food assistance recipients to check their account at NJFamiliesFirst.com or by calling 800-997-3333. If there are SNAP benefits in your NJ Families First account, they are available for you to use.
Please note, you may receive eligibility notices and your MyNJHelps case summary may show that you are eligible for November benefits. Even though you may receive an eligibility notice and the benefits show in your case summary, if the federal shutdown continues, November 2025 SNAP benefits will not be posted to your Families First EBT card on time.
Because November SNAP benefits are not available as a result of a federal shutdown, fair hearings will not be scheduled for this issue.
SNAP applications and recertifications will be processed. Continue to submit requested information to ensure you get your benefits when federal SNAP funding becomes available. Continue to visit the SNAP website for ongoing updates as they become available.
Work First New Jersey (WFNJ)
WFNJ benefits should be available on time. Continue to visit the WFNJ website for ongoing updates as they become available.
Due to limited funding, as of Friday, August 1, 2025, the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) is no longer accepting new applications. Applications received or postmarked after July 31, 2025, will not be reviewed.
Children currently served by the Child Care Assistance Program will continue to receive assistance as long as they remain eligible. Unfortunately, new children cannot be added to existing CCAP cases after July 31, 2025.
If you need assistance paying for child care, you can check whether you are eligible for the Head Start child care program or if your school district has free child care for three- and four-year-olds.
Additional funding is not anticipated for the foreseeable future.
If you would like to be notified when funding becomes available and the application reopens, visit our CCAP Application Closed page to provide either your email address or phone number.