Jewish residents in San Luis Obispo County who need financial help will get some new aid — thanks to a social service division started by the Jewish Community Center of San Luis Obispo, and the Jewish Family Fund.

Jewish Family Services aims to assist local Jewish families who are in need or in crisis with small grants of money, referrals to appropriate community agencies, support groups and counseling, according to a news release from the organization.

An assessment showed that Jews make up roughly 1 percent of the county’s population of 270,000 residents. Of those, perhaps one quarter need financial assistance, according to the release.

The same assessment showed that county residents want to help the Jewish community and would contribute to a family fund, the organization said.

Seed money for the Jewish Family Fund is made possible by contributions from JCCSLO and from all area synagogues, including Temple Ner Shalom, Congregation Beth David, Congregation Ohr Tzafon, Temple Beth El and Chabad of Cal Poly.

A portion of the fund was donated in the memory of JCCSLO member Barbara Rosenthal’s son, Joshua Abraham Birnbaum.

Applications for grants through the fund are available now at http://www.jcc  slo.com/jfs, or at an area synagogue. The organization is asking potential donors to access its website — http://jccslo.com   — for more information.