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Brick Closes Welfare Office; County Now Running Program
By Catherine Galioto
Brick Township no longer houses a municipal welfare program. The Brick welfare office officially closed its doors July 1.
The reason for the closure was to save money, officials said. With the county already providing the same services, there was no need for the township to continue paying for duplicate efforts, they argued.
In December, the township first brought up the idea of disbanding the welfare office.
According to Business Administrator Scott M. Pezarras, the move could save $150,000 annually.
The Ocean County Board of Social Services is taking over the functions the municipal program once held, beginning with the start of the new fiscal year, which was July 1.
An assistance program called the Work First New Jersey program was administered through the office, with municipal staff handling cases. Since the county has its own welfare office, why not assign the responsibility back to the county? Pezarras asked. After review and consideration, that was the route the township went.
Pezarras said the state allows the county to oversee the program and its municipal general assistance programs. By allowing the county to do exactly that, the township saves money.
"Effective July 1, 2007 administration of our General Assistance program will become the responsibility of the Ocean County Board of Social Services," Pezarras said. "Please be assured that this transition will not result in an interruption of benefits to the residents of Brick Township."
Now, Brick residents must do what residents in other townships do to receive benefits - go to a county location. The primary office for Brick residents is now in Toms River, the county seat.
Those seeking general assistance should contact the Ocean County Board of Social Services at 1027 Hooper Avenue, Toms River, or call 732-349-1500.
The move to close the municipal welfare office was also presented in Mayor Dan Kelly's budget proposal, which the council endorsed last month.
At its meeting last week, the township council voted to eliminate the position of municipal director of welfare, a title that comes with a salary range of $22,773 to $68,361. The office gave general assistance (welfare) for adults without minor children; short-term social services and referrals for adults and families.
Pezarras said Brick was one of few townships in the state that maintained its own welfare office. While this factored into the decision, so did making sure that residents would continue to be served.
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