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County reports rising GA and SNAP caseloads; workforce board reports recent training placements
Summary
Cape May County WFNJ and Workforce Development updates at the Feb. 5 HSAC meeting showed increasing General Assistance (GA) and SNAP caseloads (SNAP up 23% since 2020), a steady TANF caseload, and recent workforce placements: three on‑the‑job training placements and 17 adults starting WIOA training grants, including CDL and CNA programs.
Cape May County officials reported a sustained increase in General Assistance caseloads and a continued rise in SNAP recipients, while TANF caseloads remained steady, HSAC members were told.
Those trends matter for local workforce and human services planning because caseload changes affect program demand and staffing needs across county services.
Donna Groome, reporting for the WFNJ‑WTW committee, said the number of GA cases has been steadily increasing over the past two years and is now higher than at the height of the COVID‑19 pandemic. Groome also said the SNAP caseload has increased 23% since 2020; TANF has remained steady. Groome noted the county’s WFNJ participation rate is mid‑range compared with other New Jersey counties and that the number of SNAP recipients voluntarily participating in work activities has increased.
Anne Garrison, reporting for the Workforce Development Board, said workforce services have seen an increase in customers since the new year. Since the board’s last report on Nov. 6, 2024, three customers have been placed in on‑the‑job training positions and 17 adults have received WIOA training grants and started occupational programs that lead to a license or credential. Four of those 17 began classes this semester at Atlantic Cape Community College, and popular courses among recent trainees include commercial driver’s license (CDL) and certified nursing assistant (CNA) training. Garrison also noted that WIOA youth programs continue to enroll students and can accept applicants for the program year through March 31.
HSAC members did not take formal action on these updates; they were informational briefs from committee liaisons. Members discussed monitoring caseload trends and continuing coordination between workforce services and human services programs to help SNAP and GA recipients connect to training and work activities.
