FAQs

• Construction Program (N/ECCC)
• Driver's License Suspension
• Returning from Prison & New Careers
• Housing & Lending

Construction Program (N/ECCC)

• How can I apply to N/ECCC? What are the eligibility requirements?
  The Newark/Essex Construction Careers Program (N/ECCC) is currently not operating. However, we encourage you to contact us for other employment programs.
• Do N/ECCC clients have to be formerly incarcerated?
  No. However, formerly incarcerated individuals may apply to N/ECCC and may also apply for our New Careers program.
• Does the Institute have other employment programs besides N/ECCC?
  Yes, New Careers. The New Careers staff helps people returning from jail or prison to stabilize themselves in their community, find and keep jobs, and access medical and other needed social services. In addition, our Trucking Initiative connects people with CDLs to trucking jobs. For more information call: 973-624-9400.

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Driver License Suspension

• How can I find out if my license is suspended?
  There are five ways to find out if you have a suspended license:

• Contact the MVC's (Motor Vehicle Commission) license suspension office at (609) 292-7500.

• Go to a MVC's Regional Service Center and request an official, certified paper abstract. As of July 6, 2009, fees have gone up and you will have to pay a $15.00 fee (cash, money order or check).

• Fill out an abstract request form on-line at the MVC's website - www.state.nj.us/mvc (you will need a credit card to pay the $15.00 fee).

• Fill out and mail in an abstract request form, which can be obtained using MVC's general information line. Once the form is completed return it to MVC with a $15.00 check or money order.

• Go to an auto insurance company for an unofficial abstract. They may charge a fee for this service.
  

For more information, download our manual and the overview.

• Why is my license suspended?
  There are over 400 grounds for suspension in New Jersey - many of which have nothing to do with unsafe driving. An individual's license can be suspended for multiple reasons or on multiple charges at the same time. Both the courts and the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission impose suspensions. The procedures to address each of these kinds of suspension vary greatly, and navigating more than one at a time can be confusing and challenging. It can also be costly.
• What is the procedure for restoring a New Jersey's driver's license?
  For individuals, first you must find out the cause or causes of suspension. This will require obtaining and interpreting a driver's abstract, which provides a detailed list of each violation and suspensions on a driver's license.
  
  For suspended drivers with tickets and fines from Essex County Municipalities, there is a chance to address those issues through the License Reinstatement Program (LRP). LRP is a unique project of the Essex County municipal courts and the Institute. LRP is designed to assist those with suspensions in Essex County, due to unpaid fines, to consolidate all fines into one affordable payment plan and reinstate their licenses while they pay the fines down. You do not have to be a resident of Essex County.
• Will the Institute help me restore my license?
  The Institute cannot help directly however ReLeSe attorneys can help individuals who have been in jail, with driver's license restoration. If you are an Essex County Resident and all your tickets are in Essex County, you might be eligible to participate in the License Reinstatement Program, run by the Essex County Municipal Court. To find out more click here.

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Returning from Prison & New Careers

• What is New Careers?
  New Careers is a project the Institute started in 2006. Its purpose is to help men and women returning to the Newark/Essex County area from state and federal prison to stabilize themselves in their home community, find and keep jobs, and access medical and other needed social services.
• Can the Institute help someone with multiple felony convictions get a job?
  Yes. New Careers will assist people with felony convictions, however, at this time we are only accepting Newark residents.
• If I get arrested can the Institute provide a criminal lawyer?
  No, however the Institute has a relationship with numerous community based organizations that may be able to assist with legal representation, like ReLeSe.
• What is ReLeSe? What services do they provide?
  ReLeSe, a program of Volunteer Lawyers for Justice, helps individuals with criminal records address civil legal matters. ReLeSe attorneys have been trained to handle the following legal issues: suspended driver's licenses (including court fines and surcharges), municipal court issues, child support issues, identity fraud and expungement (clearing of criminal records). Contact ReLeSe: ReLeSe@vljnj.org
• Who is eligible for ReLeSe?
  Any low-income Newark (or Essex County) resident who has been incarcerated in jail or prison, or otherwise has a criminal record, is eligible for ReLeSe assistance. Individuals can qualify regardless of how much time has passed since their release.
• What is the Second Chance Campaign?
  The Second Chance Campaign is a group of organizations who advocate and lobby for policies that remove barriers to the safe and successful reintegration of adults and juveniles returning home from incarceration.

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Housing and Lending

• Can the Institute help find housing for low-income people?
  No. The Institute works to change laws and policies that effect the availability of affordable housing, but we do not help individuals find housing.
• Does the Institute help with foreclosures?
  The Institute is engaged in legislative efforts to lessen the number and reduce the damaging effects of sub-prime mortgage foreclosures. However, the Institute does not generally represent individuals facing foreclosure.
• I heard the Institute has a Home Repair Program. What is it?
  The Institute has helped the City of East Orange create a program to help people get affordable loans to pay for home repair from responsible, supervised contractors. Contact the City of East Orange, Neighborhood Preservation Program for more information.

 

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