Community Work Experience Program (CWEP)

The Community Work Experience Program (CWEP) is a three month service that is intended to provide WorkFirst New Jersey recipients with work opportunities that will help them develop the skills, knowledge, and work behaviors needed to get and keep a stable job. Rather than earning an hourly wage, individuals participating in CWEP receive their Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and food stamp benefits in exchange for the hours they work. Individuals are assigned to entry-level jobs at government and nonprofit employers and are generally expected to work 35 hours per week.