Despite continued talk of an improving national economy, demands for social services in Ocean County continue to rise.

“Both the Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Ocean County Board of Social Services are working hard to ensure that our most needy residents continue to receive the assistance they need,” Freeholder Gerry Little.

“Since 2007, our Board of Social Services has led the state in increased requests for emergency assistance, General Assistance, and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. Only two other counties – Middlesex and Hunterdon – out number our requests for food stamps, now known as SNAP.

There are many reasons for this increased demand.

Our population continues to increase, we are suffering from a lingering economic recession and we are also serving many victims of Superstorm Sandy, which forced thousands of our citizens from their homes.

Since the Obama administration increased food stamp eligibility, Ocean County has experienced a 163 percent increase in applicants since 2007.

About 62,000 people in Ocean County are currently receiving SNAP.

The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families caseload has increased 77 percent since 2007, with more than 1,500 families receiving TANF assistance, representing the highest increase percentage in the state.

General Assistance also has increased by 109 percent since 2007, also the highest in the state, with about 2,700 Ocean County beneficiaries.

Emergency assistance for families has skyrocketed by 201 percent since 2007, again making the increase the highest in the state, with more than 506 families currently receiving the help.

Overall demand for all Ocean County Board of Social Services programs has jumped 150 percent since 2007, which is the highest percentage increase in the state.

These numbers show the difficult times facing many of our Ocean County families. Because of this ongoing problem, Social Services was one of the few line items of the county budget that increased this year.

The federal government funds most of the boards’ programs, at a cost of more than $600 million a year. The Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders earmarked $21 million to social services to administer the programs in 2013.

The Board of Freeholders is aware of the need that is in the County. We will continue to do all we can to make sure the needy and the vulnerable are given the help they need with the hopes they will again become self-sufficient.” [TLS]