Community Resources

Last updated September 2026.

Suburban Essex Family Success Center — Walk-in help with benefits, budgeting, and referrals; Spanish-speaking staff available. 60 S. Fullerton Ave., Room 205, Montclair. 973-993-1160
Urban League of Essex County — Financial Opportunity Center — Free one-on-one financial coaching, credit building, and VITA tax preparation. 508 Central Ave., Newark. 973-624-9535
Newark Asset Building Coalition — Free financial literacy classes, credit counseling, and first-time homebuyer preparation for Essex County residents.
NJ Citizen Action — Free financial coaching, credit counseling, and tax help for low- and moderate-income residents. 888-829-3711
NJ 211 — Financial Stability — Referrals for utility, rent, food, and financial help. Dial 2-1-1

United Way of Greater Newark — VITA — Free IRS-certified tax preparation for households earning about $65,000 or less, with help claiming the Earned Income and Child Tax Credits. Sites include the Bloomfield Public Library.
NJ 211 — Free Tax Sites — Searchable list of VITA and AARP sites by county.
AARP Foundation Tax-Aide — Free preparation with a focus on taxpayers 50+; no membership required. 888-227-7669
IRS Free File & VITA Locator — Free online filing and site finder. 800-906-9887
NJ Division of Taxation — Free Services — State tax help and credit information.

Navicore Solutions — New Jersey-based nonprofit credit counseling and debt management. 800-992-4557
National Foundation for Credit Counseling — Find an accredited nonprofit counselor. 800-388-2227
AnnualCreditReport.com — The only official source for free credit reports from all three bureaus.
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau — Plain-language guides on credit, debt collection, mortgages, and filing complaints.
FDIC Money Smart — Free financial education curriculum for adults, young people, and older adults.
MyMoney.gov — Federal government’s financial literacy hub.

NJ Helps — Screen for SNAP, NJ FamilyCare, WIC, child care subsidies, and more in one place.
NJSave — Single application for PAAD, Senior Gold, Lifeline, and Medicare Savings Programs for older adults and people with disabilities.
LIHEAP & Universal Service Fund — Heating, cooling, and utility bill assistance. 800-510-3102
PSE&G Assistance Programs — Payment plans and hardship programs.
ANCHOR & Senior Freeze — New Jersey property tax relief for homeowners and renters.
Montclair Neighborhood Development Corporation — Case management for back rent and PSE&G bills for eligible households. 973-744-9094

HOMECorp Housing Counseling — HUD-approved first-time homebuyer and foreclosure counseling in Montclair. 973-744-4141
NJ Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency — Down payment assistance and affordable mortgages.
Social Security Administration — Retirement estimates, benefits, and Medicare enrollment. 800-772-1213
SHIP Medicare Counseling — Free, unbiased Medicare help for NJ residents. 800-792-8820
Investor.gov — SEC guides and calculators for saving and investing.
NJ Student Financial Aid (HESAA) — State grants, scholarships, and NJ FAFSA help.

NJ Division of Consumer Affairs — File complaints and read scam alerts. 800-242-5846
FTC Consumer Advice — Report fraud and identity theft. IdentityTheft.gov
Consumers League of New Jersey — Montclair-based consumer advocacy organization. 60 S. Fullerton Ave. 973-744-6449
Legal Services of New Jersey — Free legal help with debt collection, bankruptcy, and consumer issues for low-income residents. 888-576-5529
AARP Fraud Watch Network — Helpline for suspected scams. 877-908-3360

Reference Solutions — Business and consumer data for research. Any NJ library card.
LinkedIn Learning — Courses on personal finance, Excel budgeting, and small business. Montclair library card.
Books & eBooks — Personal finance, retirement, and consumer guides in print and on Libby/Hoopla; ask for a reading list.
Library Programs — Free workshops on budgeting, Medicare, and estate planning; check the events calendar.