Welcome to the United States! We know that life in strange country can be overwhelming, and we have chosen these websites to help you get settled in your new home. We have tried to choose the most useful sites available, but due to the changing nature of the internet, we cannot be responsible for their accuracy. Our inclusion of websites on this page is not an endorsement of any products or services these sites may be selling or advertising.
Settle In NEW provides resources, information, and in-language support to newcomers resettling to the United States. Available in 12 languages. (PLEASE NOTE: The International Rescue Committee (IRC) maintains this website. The contents on this website were developed by the Cultural Orientation Resource Exchange (CORE), under an agreement financed by the U.S. Department of State, but do not necessarily represent the policy of that agency and should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. This website is for general information purposes only and does not contain legal advice.)
Click here for current information about the DACA program (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals)
See also National Immigration Law Center and related links, below.
JOIN AN ENGLISH CONVERSATION GROUP AT THE LIBRARY!
Would you like to practice speaking English in an informal setting? The more you talk, the easier it gets! If you would like to practice English, join one of our conversation groups for ESL students and all learners at the South Plainfield Public Library. Native speakers of any language are welcome. Please register at the front desk. Let us know if the meeting times or days are not convenient. For more information, contact Deb Gulya at (908) 754-7885 or email
spcurbsidepickup@gmail.com for more information.
IMPORTANT! Before submitting any personal or financial information over the Internet, first be sure that the company or organization is reputable, and the internet connection secure.
The library cannot guarantee the privacy or security
of personal information transmitted via library computers.
> > PLEASE USE ALL INFORMATION FROM THE INTERNET WITH CAUTION < <
Call 2-1-1 when you need to find state or local resources to address urgent needs or everyday concerns, including health & mental health services, food banks, shelter, rental or utility assistance, adult day care, Meals on Wheels, transportation, childcare, crisis intervention services, job training, education, and more. 2-1-1 is free, confidential, multi-lingual, confidential, TTY accessible, and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 2-1-1 resource specialists will guide callers to the most helpful available resources. Visit the website for more information. NOTE: 2-1-1 calls are generally toll-free; however, if you are calling 2-1-1 from your cell phone, please check with your cell phone service provider first to find out whether you will be charged for the call. You can also reach 2-1-1 by dialing 877-652-1148. (United Way, in partnership with the State of New Jersey)
Government & Law
See more on:
COMMUNITY & SOCIAL SERVICES
GOVERNMENT & LAW
LOCAL INFORMATION
RECURSOS en ESPAÑOL: Politica, Leyes, y Gobierno
TAXES
COMMUNITY & SOCIAL SERVICES INFORMATION - A collection of brochures from local agencies (mostly in Middlesex County and New Jersey) that offer assistance to low-income residents, seniors, people with disabilities, and others, with links to additional information.
Foreign Embassies in the United States - For each country, this page will provide the Ambassador's name, chancery address, telephone, FAX, email & website addresses, and a list of U.S. cities that have consulate general offices. (Part of the CIA World Factbook, U.S. Central Intelligence Agency; an official government website)
National Immigration Law Center - This non-profit organization works to defend & advance the rights of immigrants with low income. Its website includes information and resources on DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), Immigration Raids / Enforcement (Know Your Rights), Health Care, Economic Support, Workers' Rights, Education, Taxes, and more. It also offers links to providers of legal assistance to immigrants, including Immigration Law Help in New Jersey (a project of Immigration Advocates Network, a non-profit organization). Asista Immigrant Assistance Resources & Asista News Updates (Asista; non-profit organization). For more news on government policies affecting immigrants, see National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (non-profit organization).
New Jersey Family Services Hotlines - A list of toll-free phone numbers and websites for families needing assistance in New Jersey, including hotlines for food stamps, family violence, energy assistance, legal services, child care, child support, mental health and other programs (New Jersey Department of Human Services; official government website). See
South Plainfield Outreach and Referral Resources, below, for local resources, or telephone
2-1-1 for help finding state or local health and human service resources in New Jersey to address urgent needs or everyday concerns. See also
COMMUNITY & SOCIAL SERVICES INFORMATION.
New Jersey Legal Services Directory - Legal Services of New Jersey provides free help for low-income individuals and families with civil law problems.
Click here for information on LSNJ's telephone hotline, 1-888-LSNJ-LAW (1-888-576-5529).
New Jersey Home Page - Links to the Governor's office, state departments and agencies, tourism information, education, and business resources for the state of New Jersey. (State of New Jersey; an official government website)
New Jersey State Legislature - You can use this website to
find the legislators who represent your district in the New Jersey Assembly and New Jersey Senate. The site also includes information about current bills, statutes, the state constitution, and more. (State of New Jersey; an official government website)
Immigration and Citizenship
DACA program (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals)
BECOMING A UNITED STATES CITIZEN
See more on:
GOVERNMENT & LAW
RECURSOS en ESPAÑOL: Inmigración
PROCITIZEN - Prepare for your citizenship exam with ProCitizen by Pronunciator. The course will help you prepare for the Civics, Reading, and Writing portions of the Naturalization Test and is available in both English and Spanish. Through a series of 100 informative videos, plus practice exercises and quizzes, you will learn everything you need to know to successfully pass the Naturalization Test.
PROCITIZEN en español: Haga clic aquí para comenzar a aprender en español
PETERSON'S TEST & CAREER PREP - Information about immigration and naturalization, test-taking advice, and U.S. Citizenship Practice Tests. You'll need the barcode number from your library card to log in to the site. AFTER YOU HAVE LOGGED IN, go to
'U.S. CITIZENSHIP'. NOTE: After you log in, you will need to set up a personal account to access this resource and save your progress in the preparation material.
Immigration Services Scams (2023) [Link opens a PDF] - Brief advice on avoiding Immigration Services scams; also en español (2017) [en .PDF] (New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs; an official government website). See also Avoid Immigration Scams and Get Real Help: Notario Scams, Fake Immigration Websites, Diversity Lottery Scams, & Scams Against Refugees (2023, Federal Trade Commission; an official government website), Scammers use changing visa rules to phish for personal information (2021, Better Business Bureau), and Fighting Fraud and related links, below.
LEARNING ABOUT OUR GOVERNMENT
See more on:
Homework Links: GOVERNMENT & POLITICS
Useful Websites: GOVERNMENT & LAW
RECURSOS en ESPAÑOL: Politica, Leyes, y Gobierno
Ben's Guide to U.S. Government - This site is designed for elementary and secondary school students, but it will be useful for people of any age who want to learn about how our government works (U.S. Government Printing Office; an official government website).
Core Documents of U.S. Democracy - See America's Founding Documents and related links.
Elections - See HOMEWORK LINKS: Elections and USEFUL WEBSITES: Elections.
Federal Budget [Link opens a PDF] - This online booklet explains basic economic concepts related to the budget of the federal government, exploring similarities and differences between the federal budget and the family budget. Includes discussion questions and resources for additional information. (2003, Federal Reserve Bank of New York)
U.S. Constitution (Annotated) - For those who want to delve more deeply into the U.S. Constitution, this website gives the full text of the Constitution, plus historical background, commentary, and important court cases for each article, section, clause, and amendment (Cornell University; site includes advertisements). See also National Constitution Center (private, non-profit organization).
AFTER YOU BECOME A CITIZEN
See also:
Paying Taxes
GOVERNMENT & LAW
RECURSOS en ESPAÑOL: Politica, Leyes, y Gobierno
C-Span VIDEO - Public affairs coverage from the C-Span Cable network to help you keep informed about government and political issues; includes video.
Elections: New Jersey Voters - Get Informed - Information about who is eligible to vote, how you can register to vote, primary & election dates, and more; use the left-hand menu to choose a topic. Includes a link to the
New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government (League of Women Voters of NJ).
Vote Smart provides free, factual, unbiased information on candidates and elected officials to help you become an informed voter. Biographies, campaign finances, issue positions, special interest group ratings, and voting records for federal and state candidates and officeholders. Biographical section includes addresses, phone numbers, email, and website links (non-profit organization).
Click here for links to more election information & guidance.
FactCheck AUDIO - Monitors the factual accuracy of political statements in TV ads, debates, speeches, interviews and news releases (Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania). We have links to more fact checking websites. We also have links to websites that can help you learn to recognize fake news.
Getting a Job or Starting a Business
See more on:
SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCES
JOBS
RECURSOS en ESPAÑOL: Empleos y Negocios
Learning Express Library and Job & Career Accelerator have been discontinued. For career resources, see Business, Jobs/Careers & Legal. For computer skills resources, see Computers & Tech.
PETERSON'S TEST & CAREER PREP - Free practice tests, study tips, and test prep eBooks for all kinds of standardized employment & education tests, including civil service and licensure exams (Accountant/Auditor, Caseworker, Correction Officer, Firefighter, Parole Officer, Police Officer / promotions, Postal Worker, Probation Officer, Real Estate, State Trooper, Treasury Enforcement Agent, and others), GED (high school equivalency test), NCLEX (nursing), PRAXIS (teaching), Officer Candidate, and ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) tests. You'll need the barcode number from your library card to get started.
FERGUSON'S CAREER GUIDANCE CENTER VIDEO - Comprehensive and easy-to-use career research database offers information on more than 3,300 jobs and 94 industries, plus advice on applying for a job, acing an interview, behaving professionally in the work environment and more. More than 90 sample resumes and cover letters included! The Resources section contains over 50,000 entries on scholarships, internships, and other opportunities. Includes more than 290 videos present essential career information on both specific jobs and industries and on skills. You'll need the barcode number from your library card to get started.
Career One Stop VIDEO - A great starting point for your job search offering a wide assortment of career tools such as
job listings & other job search resources and links to
state job banks (including
New Jersey Career Services). Also provides info on careers &
training opportunities, skills profiler, resume tutorial, and much more. Includes
Find Local Help, a searchable database of local service centers providing free access to the internet, faxes, copy machines, and many other services for job hunters, as well as an unemployment benefits and training program finders. You can also call the Helpline, 1-877-US2-JOBS (1-877-872-5627), for
information about jobs, training, career resources, or unemployment benefits. (U.S. Department of Labor)
NJCAN - The New Jersey Career Assistance Navigator (NJCAN) provides accurate, comprehensive, current, and relevant occupational, post-secondary school and financial aid information. NJCAN contains the latest national, New Jersey and local labor market data and projections. NJCAN also includes information on job interview preparation, resume & cover letter creation, how to keep a job, self-employment, and military occupations. NJCAN is designed to support lifelong career exploration, and career planning & decision-making.
Click here to login as a NJ Resident. (New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development & University of Oregon)
Adult Basic Education & Literacy Training - See Adult Education & Literacy Training in New Jersey and related links, below.
Licensing Boards & Committees in New Jersey - Lists the professions and occupations for which the state of New Jersey requires a license or other certification, with
links to the appropriate licensing board, under the heading License & Registration. See also
Regulated Businesses (New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs; an official government website). If you want to obtain a professional license in another state, search
CareerOneStop: License Finder by state, keyword, or licensing agency (U.S. Department of Labor; an official government website).
New Jersey Business - A great place to begin learning about how to plan, start, operate, or grow a business in the Garden State, as well as how to do business with the state government.
Includes helpful starter kits for some of New Jersey's most common business types (State of New Jersey; an official government website). For more help on starting a business, see our
Local & State Business Resources,
Small Business, and
Diversity & Business links.
New Jersey Department of Labor - Information on labor laws, unemployment benefits, workers' compensation, minimum wage, disabilities, safety, workplace training, and other information useful to workers as well as business owners and managers (New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development; an official government website).
New Jersey Career Services (formerly Career Connections) - A variety of job-related information & support, including planning & preparation advice, training opportunities, one-on-one support, job fairs, and more. Offers
specialized resources for Individuals with Disabilities, Veterans, Mature Workers, Youth, Opioid-Impacted, Displaced Homemakers, and Ex-offenders. New Jersey workers can now access more than 5,000 free online Skillsoft courses via the
SkillUp New Jersey training program. For information about Civil Service jobs (job opportunities within State, County and Municipal governments) in New Jersey, see the
Civil Service Commission UPDATED LINK website (State of New Jersey; official government websites)
New Jersey Small Business Development Centers - Contact information for offices in each county, which offer a wide variety of services designed to help businesses expand, relocate, or retain jobs in New Jersey (Small Business Administration / Rutgers University; an official government website). Many additional business resources are linked on our
Useful Websites: BUSINESS page.
Housing
See more on:
RECURSOS en ESPAÑOL: Casa y Horticultura y
Consumidores y Gerencia de Dinero
Disasters & Weather Emergencies - See Winter Weather and Disasters links, below
Home Energy Assistance and
Utility Assistance - Programs to help low-income residents with the costs of home heating, cooling, water & electricity (State of New Jersey; an official government website). For links to more information on how to save money and energy in your home, see
Energy Saving Tools & Tips. (U.S. Department of Energy; an official government website). Additional resources are listed on our
Home Energy Conservation - Heating Webfinder.
New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency - New Jersey Homeownership Programs offer residential mortgage financing for low, moderate and middle income first-time home buyers and urban home buyers, plus links to information for renters, seniors, and people with special needs. The agency now also offers a toll-free telephone number providing consumer information for home buyers: 1-800-NJ-HOUSE. Includes information on
Home Mortgage Foreclosures. See the
New Jersey Real Estate Commission if you a have a complaint about a real estate broker, agent, or salesperson.
If you are looking for affordable housing, or housing options for people with special needs, search the
New Jersey Housing Resource Center (Official N.J. government websites). See also
HUD Approved Housing Counseling Agencies in New Jersey (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) and
Community & Social Services Brochures ==> Housing: CJHRC (Central Jersey Housing Resource Center) programs & related links.
Tenants' Rights in New Jersey (2020) [Link opens a PDF] - If you rent your home, this document explains your rights under New Jersey law, and offers legal assistance to low-income renters; some information may be out of date; also available en Español. For updated and additional legal information on housing in New Jersey (for both renters and homeowners), see
LSNJ Law: Housing. Some resources are also available
en Español (Vivienda). (Legal Services of New Jersey)
Winter Weather Preparedness - See Winter Weather and Winter Driving, below.
Transportation
See more on:
Staycation (vacations near home) Guide
Webfinder: Auto Repair
RECURSOS en ESPAÑOL: Autómoviles y Viajes
MAPS: Bing Maps, Google Maps, and MapQuest (includes mobile apps) - Printable maps and driving directions to help you find out how to get where you need to go.
Automobile Insurance (New Jersey) - All vehicles registered in New Jersey require three types of insurance. This site provides information on selecting car insurance in New Jersey, comparing premiums, filing a complaint, etc. (New Jersey Department of Banking & Insurance; an official government website). See also
New Jersey Automobile Insurance Requirements (New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission; an official government website).
New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission - Information on how to get a driver's license, permit, vehicle registration, plates, etc., in New Jersey. There is now a
New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission office in South Plainfield; agency phone numbers are not provided, you must schedule all appointments online. See
Moving to New Jersey for information on how to transfer your out-of-state license & vehicle title/registration, or your or foreign license, to New Jersey. (An official government website)
New Jersey Transit - Schedules and fares for trains and buses, plus information on connecting services and handicapped access.
Winter Driving - Tips to help you drive safely in winter. (Car Talk radio show, National Public Radio)
Learning the English Language (ESL)
See more on:
Homework links: ENGLISH LANGUAGE
RECURSOS en ESPAÑOL: Inglés y ESL
JOIN AN ENGLISH CONVERSATION GROUP AT THE LIBRARY!
Would you like to practice speaking English in an informal setting? The more you talk, the easier it gets! If you would like to practice English, join one of our conversation groups for ESL students and all learners at the South Plainfield Public Library. Native speakers of any language are welcome. Please register at the front desk. Let us know if the meeting times or days are not convenient. For more information, contact Deb Gulya at (908) 754-7885 or email
spcurbsidepickup@gmail.com for more information.
Pronunciator Personalized Language Learning: Pronunciator's American English course is the most comprehensive in the world, with over 50,000 instructional phrases (and 10,000 instructional videos). Pronunciator can create personalized courses for you, targeted to your personal interests, your occupation, your learning goals, and your available time for learning. You can learn from any of 120 home languages. Each home language has translations, navigation options, thousands of hours of audio lessons, and often narrators and virtual coaches in that language, for a truly localized - and personalized - learning experience.
PRONUNCIATOR en Español: Haga clic aquí para comenzar a aprender en español
UNIVERSAL CLASS offers free online non-credit courses in English / ESL and many other subjects. Courses are accessible 24/7 via the Internet. You will have up to 6 months to finish each course, and each course has a real instructor you can communicate with by email!
To sign up for classes, you'll need to register on the site and choose a username & password for your account. You'll need the barcode number from your library card to get started.
PETERSON'S TEST & CAREER PREP - Free practice tests, study tips, test prep eBooks and related resources for the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) and TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication), as well as U.S. Citizenship and basic skills (English & Math). You'll need the barcode number from your library card to get started. AFTER YOU HAVE LOGGED IN, click on 'IMPROVE YOUR SCORE,' then choose
FOUNDATIONAL SKILLS or
INTERNATIONAL.
Activities for ESL Students INTERACTIVE - Quizzes, tests, exercises and puzzles to help you learn English as a Second Language (ESL). Includes bilingual quizzes in dozens of languages (Internet TESL Journal). Interesting Things for ESL Students AUDIO VIDEO INTERACTIVE offers Listen and Repeat videos, word games, puzzles, quizzes, slang, proverbs and more, for ESL students (by Charles Kelly & Lawrence Kelly; Aichi Institute of Technology, Japan).
American English: Materials for Learning English AUDIO VIDEO - An extensive collection of links to online books, stories, songs, games, articles, audios, videos and more, for English language learners of all ages (U.S. Department of State; an official government website).
Literacy Volunteers of Plainfield - This group will provide a local tutor to teach you English. See also English Conversations Groups at the Library, and Adult Education & Literacy Training in New Jersey, below.
News In Levels AUDIO - Short, easy-to-read English articles, with related audio, that can help you learn and understand English; apps for Apple and Android devices are available. (Author unknown; site includes advertisements)
Oxford Learner's Dictionary: Resources - Resources to expand your vocabulary, practise your writing or speaking and develop your English language skills. (Oxford University Press; a department of the University of Oxford, UK)
TOEFL® - The TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) may be required for admission to American colleges and universities, or for exchange and scholarship programs. Many government, licensing, and certification agencies also use TOEFL scores to evaluate the English skills of non-native speakers. This site tells you how to register for the TOEFL, explains what's on the test, and includes free practice tests & advice for test-takers. There is a related page on the TOEIC®, Test of English for International Communication, which may be required for some jobs. For related resources, see PETERSON'S TEST & CAREER PREP, above.
School (For You or Your Children)
See more on:
EDUCATION
HOMEWORK LINKS
RECURSOS en ESPAÑOL: Educación
PETERSON'S TEST & CAREER PREP - Peterson's College Planning Center is your online resource center for test preparation, college search, financial aid, and career planning. Includes practice exams; an account is required to access this resource and save your progress in the prep material. An email address is not required, but highly recommended, to create an account. You'll need the barcode number from your library card to get started.
UNIVERSAL CLASS - Free online non-credit courses in many subjects, including business, technology, language, hobbies, and more. Courses are accessible 24/7 via the Internet. You will have up to 6 months to finish each course, and each course has a real instructor you can communicate with by email!
To sign up for classes, you'll need to register on the site and choose a username & password for your account. You'll need the barcode number from your library card to get started.
GCF Learn Free - Free tutorials, articles, and other learning materials aimed at helping you improve the technology, literacy, and math skills needed for success in both work and everyday life. Covers a wide range of subjects from operating ATMs and reading bus or subway maps to using computers & office software and running a home-based business. Free registration required; also available
en español and
Português. (Nonprofit organization: Goodwill Community Foundation)
Adult Education & Literacy Training in New Jersey - Adult education and literacy programs that can help New Jersey residents improve their basic skills to become better equipped for future employment. Available classes include Adult Basic Education, Citizenship, English as a Second Language (ESL), and High School Equivalency Test preparation; these services are provided free of charge to New Jersey residents, but you must complete an online services request form to get information about classes and related assistance (New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development). See also
SkillUp New Jersey,
GCF Learn Free and
Literacy Volunteers, above. To learn more about the GED (high school graduate equivalency) exam, see the official
GED website, which is
now a for-profit business (American Council on Education & Pearson Education, Inc.).
New Jersey no longer offers the TASC and HiSET equivalency assessments.
College Savings Plans Network - This site provides information on federal-tax-exempt college savings plans, also called 529 Plans.
ETS - The Educational Testing Service Network - This site offers information, registration, test-taker guidelines, and practice tests, for many standardized tests (such as the GRE, TOEFL, TOEIC, and PRAXIS) which may be required for college or graduate school admission, or for professional certification or advancement. On the related College Board website you can register online for the SAT & AP exams, practice with sample test questions, identify & search for suitable colleges, learn about college costs & financial aid, and more.
New Jersey Colleges & Universities - A directory of colleges, universities, community colleges, vocational schools and seminaries in the state. You can browse the schools by type of institution, by county, or alphabetically (State of New Jersey, Office of the Secretary of Higher Education; an offical government website). For a directory of community colleges throughout the United States, see
Community College Finder (American Association of Community Colleges; a non-profit organization).
To find any type of accredited colleges in other states, see
U.S. Department of Education Institution Search (an offical government website).
New Jersey Statewide Testing - This site has information for parents whose children will be taking standardized tests in school. (An official government website)
South Plainfield Public Schools - This site gives information on all the South Plainfield public schools, as well as
community events. (Official site)
Managing your Money & Paying Taxes
Call 2-1-1 when you need to find state or local resources to address urgent needs or everyday concerns, including health & mental health services, food banks, shelter, rental or utility assistance, adult day care, Meals on Wheels, transportation, childcare, crisis intervention services, job training, education, and more. 2-1-1 is free, confidential, multi-lingual, confidential, TTY accessible, and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 2-1-1 resource specialists will guide callers to the most helpful available resources. Visit the website for more information. NOTE: 2-1-1 calls are generally toll-free; however, if you are calling 2-1-1 from your cell phone, please check with your cell phone service provider first to find out whether you will be charged for the call. You can also reach 2-1-1 by dialing 877-652-1148. (United Way, in partnership with the State of New Jersey)
COMMUNITY & SOCIAL SERVICES INFORMATION - A collection of brochures from local agencies (mostly Middlesex County) that offer assistance to low-income residents, seniors, people with disabilities, and others, with links to additional information.
«««« Click here for more NJ SOCIAL SERVICES & FINANCIAL HELP info »»»»
MONEY MANAGEMENT & CONSUMER INFORMATION
See more on:
CONSUMER INFORMATION
Consumidores y Gerencia de Dinero
Online Security
Webfinders: Investment 101 and Personal Finance 101
Wordpress posts: Money & Consumer Issues
Fighting Fraud: Consumer Briefs A - Z - Brief advice on many subjects to help you recognize and avoid scams & fraud; in English / en español, and a few in Korean (2016 - 2022, New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs; an offical government website). See also Immigration Services Scams.
Middlesex County Division of Consumer Affairs - Do you have a problem with a business in Middlesex County? You can download a printable complaint form on this website, or call (732) 745-3875 for a form to be sent to you. (An official government website)
Money Basics - In this free tutorial, you can learn skills like creating a budget, managing a checking account, and planning for retirement; also en español and Português (Goodwill Community Foundation, Inc.). Ways to Pay Your Bills [Link opens a PDF] helps you understand different bill payment options (cash, check, credit cards, automatic payments, etc.) and their potential advantages and disadvantages (2015, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau; an official government website). 360 Degrees of Financial Literacy has a variety of free tools & information designed 'to help Americans understand their personal finances through every stage of life,' including resources en español (American Institute of Certified Public Accountants).
New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs - Consumer information and services, from the state of New Jersey. The website includes instructions on how to file a complaint against a business, service, organization, or licensed professional in the state. (An official government website)
Professional Licensing Boards & Committees in New Jersey - Before you choose a doctor, lawyer, dentist, accountant, or other professional or business, you can check online to find out the current status of his or her professional license (active, inactive, suspended, or expired). Search the
License Verification [NOTE: To search for doctors, podiatrists, or other medical professionals not listed separately, choose 'MEDICAL EXAMINERS' from the dropdown list of PROFESSIONS on the Business search or Person search pages] page to find out the current status of the professional license (active, inactive, suspended, or expired) for practitioners of dozens of professions and occupations in the state of NJ, including lawyers, dentists, accountants, acupuncturists, social workers, veterinarians, barbers, funeral directors, locksmiths, architects, contractors, and many more. (New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs). See also
New Jersey Professional Licensing links and
NJ Health Care Profile and related links for additional information about health care professionals.
Sending Money to Another Country - Are you planning to send money abroad? Learn what you can expect and what rights you have, and how to file a complaint if you think your rights have been violated. (Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, an official U.S. government website)
TAXES
See more on:
Useful Websites: TAXES
RECURSOS en ESPAÑOL: Politica, Leyes, y Gobierno
New Jersey Division of Taxation - Get NJ tax information, print N.J. forms and instructions, or file online from your home computer. Click here for FAQs and contact information
(by e-mail, phone, postal mail, or in person). (Offical government website)
U.S. Tax Information for Individuals - Available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Russian, and Vietnamese. Click on English at the top of the page to get a drop-down list of the languages currently available. (U.S. Internal Revenue Service, an official government website)
Useful Websites: Taxes - Selected links to additional tax information.
The South Plainfield Area
See more:
LOCAL INFORMATION
Digital archive: Local Newspapers
BOROUGH OF SOUTH PLAINFIELD HOME PAGE - Official borough website, includes information on the mayor and council, departments and agencies, municipal court, and recreation, links to the Fire Department and Police Department home pages, borough history, recycling & yard waste info, Senior Corner, Community Bulletin Board, and a directory of local civic organizations, businesses, hospitals, and places of worship. See also
Borough of South Plainfield Facebook Page.
South Plainfield Outreach and Referral Resources - Phone numbers for local, county & state resources covering a variety of needs such as emergency shelters, crisis hotlines, counseling, employment/unemployment, alcoholism/drug abuse, domestic violence, and more. (Borough of South Plainfield)
South Plainfield Public Schools - This site gives information on all the South Plainfield public schools, as well as
community events. (Official site)
Middlesex County - Official website for the county. Contains links to county officials and departments, including
human services, consumer affairs and public health & safety, plus information on population, economics, government, services, businesses, parks, etc. The
Middlesex County Board of Social Services administers Federal and State public assistance programs, including adult protective services, homeless services, child support, cash assistance, food stamps, medical assistance programs, refugee resettlement, and more.
COMMUNITY & SOCIAL SERVICES INFORMATION - A collection of brochures from local agencies (mostly Middlesex County) that offer assistance to low-income residents, seniors, people with disabilities, and others, with links to additional information.
State of New Jersey - Connect to the Governor's office, state departments and agencies, tourism information, education, and business resources for the state of New Jersey.
My Central Jersey - The combined website for central New Jersey's two local daily newspapers, Courier-News and Home-News Tribune. NOTE: You must be a paid subscriber for full access. The site's
Local Directory section includes listings for central NJ schools, businesses, services, arts & entertainment, community groups, religious organizations, and other local information.
South Plainfield Observer - Facebook page for local weekly newspaper.
TAPinto South Plainfield - An all-online news website that provides current, pertinent and interesting news and information about the community including various resources, activities, and events in South Plainfield. (Darlene Cullen, Editor)
Other Information & Assistance
See more
USEFUL WEBSITES
RECURSOS en ESPAÑOL
SITES FOR SENIORS
Converting Measurements: How Much Is It? - A very simple length, weight, and volume converter (Math Cats). Online Conversion offers many additional conversion calculators: 'Thousands of units, and millions of conversions' (1997 - 2020; personal site by Robert Fogt, a website / software developer; site includes advertisements).
Disasters - See Winter Weather & disasters links, below.
Find Family after a War or International Disaster - If armed conflict, international disasters or migration have separated you from family members and loved ones, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent may be able to help you contact them. Check this page for more information (American Red Cross). See also Webfinder: Disasters.
Health Care: New Jersey Family Care - A federal- and state-funded health insurance program created to help qualified New Jersey residents of any age (including qualified immigrants) gain access to affordable health insurance. Connecting NJ provides families with young children free or affordable access to health insurance, home visit assistance, obstetrical & prenatal care referrals, early childhood education, and other services for families in need. Easy-to-Read Health Information AUDIO explains many health conditions in simple English, often with helpful pictures or diagrams and audio; some are also available en Español. Arranged by subect (Medline). MedlinePlus Multiple Languages by Health Topic and MedlinePlus Health Information in Multiple Languages offer multilingual consumer health information formerly provided by HealthReach (National Library of Medicine). EthnoMed Multilingual Health Information VIDEO provides links for health care providers to patient education materials in dozens of languages, but not all brochures are available in all languages (University of Washington). Click here for more useful websites on HEALTH & FITNESS, or see Salud en español.
Holidays in the U.S.A. - Learn about a variety of holidays and observances celebrated in the United States. (U.S. State Department)
Post Office - See U.S. Postal Service and related links.
Reference sources online: Dictionaries, encyclopedias, etc. - See USEFUL WEBSITES: General & Multi-Subject Sites.
Special Needs Registry (Middlesex County) NEW - A no-cost, voluntary service open to those with special needs who live, work, or attend school in Middlesex County. It aims to provide crucial information to first responders (police, fire, emergency medical services) in the event of an emergency. The South Plainfield Police Department's Special Needs Registry NEW [Link opens a PDF] serves a similar purpose. Participation is voluntary, and you may opt out at any time.
Telephone Directories, Area Codes and Country Codes - See Telephone Area Code / Country Code finder and related links.
Winter Weather - Learn about winter weather and what you can do to stay warm, safe, and healthy in cold weather (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Winter Weather Preparedness offers tips for protecting your home & family during severe winter weather (New Jersey Office of Emergency Management; an official government website). Find out about Code Blue Alerts & New Jersey Emergency Cold Weather Shelters: CODE BLUE ALERTS are declared when temperatures drop below freezing and weather conditions pose a danger to the homeless population. For the most up-to-date information on shelters and warming centers, call 2-1-1. For advice on what to do before and after floods, hurricanes, winter storms, blackouts, and other types of disasters, see our Disasters Webfinder. See also COVID-19 resources, and Winter Driving, above.
= New Jersey / Local Resource
