Low-income pregnant women in New Jersey can now access cash payments aimed at alleviating financial pressures during the early years of their child’s life. The initiative, launched by **The Bridge Project**, will provide **250 mothers-to-be** with direct financial support over the course of three years. This program aims to create a more stable environment for children and their families during a time when many parents are grappling with rising costs of living, including child care and food.
The Bridge Project, which has successfully implemented similar initiatives in states like **New York**, **Connecticut**, and **Massachusetts**, is addressing the urgent needs of families amid a growing affordability crisis. According to **Suzanna Fritzberg**, the executive director of The Bridge Project, New Jersey ranks among the most inequitable states in the United States, with over **250,000 children** living in poverty. One in eight children in the state faces food insecurity. Fritzberg emphasized that the program’s goal is to empower families by providing them with financial freedom to meet their unique needs during challenging economic times.
Participants in the program will receive a one-time prenatal stipend of $1,125, followed by monthly payments of **$750 for the first 15 months** and **$375 for the subsequent 21 months**. Applications for this program opened online this week, with the first payments scheduled to begin next month. To qualify, applicants must be at least **18 years old**, have a household income below **$44,000 annually**, be no more than **23 weeks pregnant**, and reside in Newark, Trenton, Paterson, or in **Gloucester**, **Salem**, or **Cumberland counties**. Notably, a Social Security number is not required to apply.
According to The Bridge Project, programs operating in other states have shown promising results. **Ninety percent** of participants reported improved mental health and reduced stress levels after receiving just one payment. Additionally, **64 percent** of mothers living in transitional housing successfully moved into permanent housing within nine months of joining the program.
Sandra Toussaint, president and CEO of **United Way of Greater Mercer County**, highlighted the importance of supporting parents and newborns as a means of breaking cycles of poverty. “We know that giving parents and newborns a strong start is one of the most powerful ways to break cycles of poverty and build lasting stability,” she stated. Toussaint noted that the financial support allows mothers to focus more on nurturing their babies, reducing financial stress in their lives.
The implementation of this cash assistance program reflects a growing recognition of the need for direct support to families, particularly in a climate where federal cuts threaten to strip benefits from many low-income households. As New Jersey embarks on this initiative, it hopes to pave the way for more effective solutions to child poverty and financial insecurity among families.
