Help with Bills and Finances
This section provides information about and assistance with issues
related to financial management. The text includes state and federal
web-site links. For county-specific resource information, click
"Search for Information" located at the top of each page.
- Social Security
- Hearing Aid Assistance to the Aged and
Disabled (HAAAD)
Veterans Benefits
Bill Paying
Tax Help
- Housing
- Utility Assistance
Social Security
Social
Security is the comprehensive federal program of benefits
providing workers and their dependents with retirement income, disability
income, and other payments.
Direct Deposit
At this site, individuals who currently get Social Security or other federal benefits by check in the mail can instead sign up to have those benefits deposited directly into their checking or savings accounts.
Hearing Aid Assistance to
the Aged and Disabled (HAAAD)
HAAAD provides limited reimbursement towards the purchase of a
hearing device for some persons enrolled in the PAAD Program.
Visit
the HAAAD website
Veterans Benefits
The New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs administers
a variety of programs to assist veterans and their families.
Visit
the Dept of Military and Veterans Affairs
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Bill Paying
AARP Money Management Program
This program offers daily money management service to help low-income older or disabled people who have difficulty budgeting, paying routine bills, and keeping track of financial matters.
American Association of Daily Money Managers
The American Association of Daily Money Managers (AADMM) is a membership organization providing daily money management services, such as organizing and keeping track of financial and medical insurance papers; assisting with check writing; maintaining bank accounts; and other tasks, directly to their own clients. Their mission is to meet the public (or community) need for daily money management services in an ethical manner by providing information and education to members, and developing a network of dedicated professionals.
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Tax Help
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)
VITA
uses IRS-trained volunteers to provide free tax assistance at community
locations to individuals of all ages who need assistance with basic
income tax return preparation. VITA is particularly suited for the
following individuals: low or fixed incomes; non-English speaking;
persons with disabilities; the elderly; other individuals with special
needs. Contact your
local AAA for information.
Tax
Counseling for the Elderly (TCE)
TCE
is designed primarily for persons 65 years or older, particularly
those who are confined to their residences. IRS-trained volunteers
provide free tax counseling and basic income tax return preparation
to senior citizens either in their homes if they are unable to travel,
or at a TCE site in your county. The program is administered through
the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP). Contact your
local
AAA or visit the AARP
website for more information.
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Housing
New Jersey Housing and Mortgage
Finance Agency (HMFA)
The HMFA
was created to improve the supply of available housing in New Jersey
for low and moderate income families, older adults and the disabled.
HMFA operates programs in rental housing, construction, home ownership,
foreclosure assistance and rehabilitation.
Department of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD)
Housing
and Urban Development (HUD) has a wide array of programs
to help people buy homes, to create affordable rental housing, to
spur community and economic growth.
Reverse Mortgages
A reverse
mortgage enables elderly homeowners to convert the
equity in their homes to monthly income or a line of credit. For
information, contact the nearest HUD counseling
service or office.
Rural Economic and Community
Development
The Rural
Development program of the US Department of Agriculture
works to improve the quality of life for Americans by ensuring that
they have access to safe, well-built, affordable homes. Rural development
is available to residents of rural areas, small towns and open country,
and rural towns of 10,000-20,000 that are not associated with an
urban metropolitan center. If you live in a rural area, you may
be eligible for a grant or loan from the Rural Housing Service.
Contact the local
office of the rural housing listed under the U.S. Department
of Agriculture in the blue pages of your telephone directory.
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Utility Assistance
Low Income Home Energy Assistance
Program (LIHEAP)
The NJ Department of Community Affairs, Division of Housing and
Community resources, administers the LIHEAP
that provides subsidies to cover the cost of heating or cooling
to eligible low-income families and individuals. Contact your local
AAA for information, or call the hotline at 1-800-510-3102.
Weatherization Assistance Program
The NJ Department of Community Affairs, Division of Housing and
Community Resources administers the Weatherization
Assistance Program designed to promote energy conservation
in low-income households. Contact your local
AAA for direction to the designated local agency or
call the Weatherization Program, 609-292-6140.
Lifeline Assistance
Progam
Lifeline
is limited assistance towards the cost of utility bills for persons
enrolled in PAAD.
New Jersey
SHARES
New
Jersey SHARES
Statewide Heating Assistance and Referral for Energy Services)
is an energy fund for individuals and families who are in need of
temporary help paying for their energy bills. For more information
call 1-866-657-4273.
Gift of Warmth
Gift
of Warmth is a program that provides temporary assistance
with the cost of natural gas to eligible low income individuals.
Universal Service Fund (USF)
New Jersey has instituted a permanent USF
to assist low income individuals and families with the cost of energy.
Eligibility will be determined when application for other assistance
programs is completed.
Communications Lifeline
This
program through Verizon Telephone Company, discounts
telephone service for eligible residents whose telephone use is
very limited. Eligibility will be determined when application for
other assistance programs is completed.
Link Up America
Link
Up America provides a 50% discount on telephone connection
charges for persons meeting the eligibility criteria for certain
programs, including PAAD.
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