Why Is This Important?

Social determinants of health, such as income and poverty, have a major impact on health, well-being, and quality of life.

Definition

Estimated percentage of persons below poverty level in the past 12 months

Data Source

How the Measure is Calculated

How Are We Doing?

The poverty rate in New Jersey is higher among Blacks, Hispanics, women, children, persons with lower educational attainment, and persons with a disability. The rate also varies by county from a low of 4.6% in Morris to a high of 17.5% in Cumberland.

How Do We Compare With the U.S.?

New Jersey's poverty rate is consistently below that of the U.S. as a whole.

Available Services

This is a non-exhaustive list of services available to low income residents:

• NJ FamilyCare provides affordable health insurance to New Jersey residents who do not have employer insurance. Eligibility requirements: https://njfamilycare.dhs.state.nj.us/who_eligbl.aspx
• Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) deliver high quality health care to all people regardless of their ability to pay.
• New Jersey Cancer Education and Early Detection (NJCEED) provides comprehensive outreach, education and screening services for breast, cervical, colorectal and prostate cancers for persons at or below 250% of the Federal Poverty Level who are uninsured or under-insured.
• AIDS Drug Distribution Program (ADDP) provides life-sustaining and life-prolonging medications to individuals below 500% of the Federal Poverty Level and with no other source of payment for these drugs.
• The state offers several programs for asthma sufferers who can not afford medication or treatment.
• End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Patient Assistance Program provides financial reimbursement for formulary-based medications and nutritional supplements for people with ESRD receiving renal dialysis who are at or below 300% of the federal poverty guideline.
• New Jersey Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women Infants and Children, commonly known as WIC, provides wholesome food, nutrition education and community support for women who are pregnant and post-partum, infants, and children up to five years old that are at or below 185% of the Federal Poverty Level
• New Jersey Vaccines for Children is a federally funded, state-operated vaccine supply program that provides pediatric vaccines at no cost to doctors who serve children who might not otherwise be vaccinated because of inability to pay.

More Resources

U.S. Census Bureau, data.census.gov

U.S. Census Bureau, New Jersey Profile

Healthy People 2030: Economic Stability