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It’s Not Too Late! If you are not registered to vote or your clients are not register, It’s not too Late you have until Oct 16, 2012. See below for requirements Don’t forget to Register to Vote! Who Can Register? To register in New Jersey you must be: You are a United States citizen. You will be 18 years old by the next election. You will be a resident of the county for 30 days before the election. You are not eligible to register if you are currently serving a sentence, probation or parole because of a felony conviction. Where to Register Applications for registration can be obtained from the Superintendent of Elections/Commissioner of Registrations in the County where you live or from your Municipal Clerk, County Clerk or the State Division of Elections. Mercer County Superintendent of Elections/Commissioner of Registration, 640 S. Broad St, P.O. Box 8068, Trenton NJ 08650-0068 Registration forms are also available at Division of Motor Vehicle offices. You can also register to vote at the same time you are applying for assistance or service at the following agencies: NJ Medical Assistance & Health Services Program WIC (Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infant & Children) Work First NJ Programs Division of Developmental Disabilities Office of Disability Services – Department of Human Services – Public Offices Armed Forces of the United States Recruitment Offices Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services – Department of Labor Commission of the Blind & Visually Impaired County Welfare Agency or County Board of Social Services Mail to: You can also print a registration application and after entering required data, mail it to the: Mercer County Superintendent of Elections/Commissioner of Registration, 640 S. Broad St, P.O. Box 8068, Trenton NJ 08650-0068 You may also call the Superintendent’s office at (609) 989-6750 and a form will be mailed to you. Homeless Individuals are NOT Required to Have an Address to Register to Vote. Issues of Obtaining ID for Individuals Experiencing Homelessness Homeless persons who attempt to obtain a photo ID frequently experience tremendous obstacles. For your reference, we have included our finalized version of the requirements and costs involved in obtaining ID in Mercer County (See ID GRID). Many cannot obtain an ID because they cannot prove residency due to lack of a physical address. Others simply cannot afford the cost of an ID. Without a photo ID, persons who are homeless often find they cannot successfully move out of homelessness and move toward self-sufficiency. They cannot get lawful employment, and oftentimes basic social services and public benefits. All of these factors prevent the homeless from getting an ID, but the very lack of ID exacerbates and perpetuates their homelessness. It is therefore critical that homeless people are able to obtain identification. Suggested Procedures for Obtaining Mercer County Photo ID 1. Obtain Voter Registration Card. This is Free and no ID is required, just a residence and/or mailing address and last four digits of the S/S number. They can use the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen (TASK) for address (Go and request permission to use TASK’s address- see “How to Register” handout. We suggest individuals go in person and submit application. The person will receive Voter Registration Card within ten days. 2. Obtain Birth Certificate. The cost is $25 for the NJ but only $20 for Trenton Births. The individual presents Welfare Photo ID and Voter Registration Card. If person cannot obtain a Voter Registration Card due to parole or probation issues then the caseworker may obtain the Birth Certificate on the individuals’ behalf. See handouts. 3. Obtain the County Photo ID. The cost is $20. The individual presents Birth Certificate and Voter Registration Card. In lieu of Voter Registration Card, a letter of residency from a homeless service provider and caseworker signing as witness on the application should be sufficient. MERCER COUNTY 2012-2013 ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS The County of Mercer working in coordination with the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs is accepting applications for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) beginning on October 1, 2012 through April 30, 2013. Mercer County is also accepting applications for the Universal Service Fund (USF) Program. Families who pay their own heating costs, and meet the following income guidelines, may be eligible to receive financial assistance with their winter heating bill. TANF and Food Stamp recipients must consult their caseworker regarding the automatic benefit application: MONTHLY INCOME GUIDELINES Household Size USF Program LIHEAP Program 1 $1,629 $1,862 2 $2,207 $2,522 3 $2,784 $3,184 4 $3,362 $3,842 5 $3,939 $4,502 6 $4,517 $5,162 7 $5,094 $5,822 8 $5,672 $6,482 9 $6,249 $7,142 10 $6,827 $7,384 * Federal income limits are subject to change during the program year. Clients who received assistance the previous year will receive a re-certification application by mail to complete and return to the County LIHEAP office. To request an application if you did not receive a benefit the previous year, please call the Mercer County Housing and Community Development Office at (609) 989-6858 or (609) 989-6959. Applications can also be obtained by visiting the Housing office at 640 South Broad Street, 1st floor, Trenton, NJ. For More Information Please Contact: Tarry Truitt, Communications and Project Manager, ttruitt@merceralliance.org or 609-844-1008.