Official Site of The State of New Jersey

As the number of older adults, many of whom have disabilities, continues to increase each year, the need for resources to support older adults becomes greater and greater. New Jersey offers a variety of programs and resources for older adults. This page contains information about supports for older adults, including:

• Medical coverage and pharmaceutical support programs such as PAAD/Senior Gold, MLTSS, and Medicare Savings Programs
• Personal Care Assistance Programs
• Area Agencies on Aging and the Aging and Disability Resource Connection
• Congregate Meal Programs
• Adult Protective Services

 

Get Help Now

• To report suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation, contact your county Adult Protective Services Office using the number on the APS website.
• To apply for a variety of support programs instantly, including medication assistance and help paying for Medicare, complete an application on the NJ SAVE website.
• For more information about health insurance options, call 1-800-701-0710 or visit the NJ FamilyCare website.

 

PAAD is a state-funded program that helps eligible seniors and individuals with disabilities save money on their prescription drug costs.

You may be eligible for PAAD if:

• You are a New Jersey resident
• You are age 65 or older OR between ages 18 and 64 and receiving Social Security Disability benefits
• Your income for 2023 is less than $42,142 if single or less than $49,209 if married.

For more information, visit the PAAD program page.

To apply, visit the NJSAVE application and answer a few basic questions to see if you qualify. Or you can print out a paper application.

If you have any questions, call 1-800-792-9745. Or watch this video tutorial with step by step instructions for how to fill out the online application, or you can read these detailed written instructions.

For the paper application, you can follow these detailed written instructions.

 

Senior Gold helps eligible New Jersey residents pay for prescription drugs, insulin, insulin needles, and syringes and needles for injectable medicines used for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. Only drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration are covered.

You may be eligible for Senior Gold if:

• You are a New Jersey resident;
• You are age 65 years or older OR you are ages 18 through 64 years and receiving Social Security Disability benefits;
• Your annual income for 2023 is between $42,142 and $52,142 if you are single or between $49,209 and $59,209 if you are married.

For more information, visit the Senior Gold program page.

To apply, visit theNJSAVE applicationand answer a few basic questions to see if you qualify. Or you can print out a paper application.

If you have any questions, call 1-800-792-9745. You can also watch this video tutorial with step-by-step instructions for how to fill out the online application, or you can read these detailed instructions.

For the paper application, you can follow these detailed written instructions.

 

Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people over 65 years old, and certain younger people with disabilities and health conditions. Medicare is different from Medicaid, also known as NJ FamilyCare.

You may be eligible for Medicare if any of the following apply to you:

• Aged 65 years or older
• Diagnosed with ALS
• Diagnosed with End-Stage Renal Disease
• Receiving dialysis or have had a kidney transplant
• Have been receiving Social Security disability benefits for at least 24 months

Use this online tool to check if you are eligible.

To apply for Medicare, sign up online, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213  (TTY 1-800-325-0778), or visit your local Social Security Office.

 

Medicare is split into five parts, which cover different services:

1. Part A: Hospital Insurance – Covers inpatient hospital stays, care in a skilled nursing facility, hospice care, and some home health care.
2. Part B: Medical coverage – Covers certain doctors’ services, outpatient care, medical supplies, and preventive services.
3. Part C: Medicare Advantage – is an all-in-one managed care alternative to original Medicare. These plans include Part A, Part B, and usually Part D, and are typically purchased through a monthly premium. Several companies offer Medicare Advantage plans at varying costs and levels of coverage. The choice is yours.
4. Part D: Prescription drug coverage – Covers medically approved pharmaceuticals. Monthly costs vary by plan.
5. Medicare Supplements: Medigap – A supplemental policy to help bridge the gaps in “original Medicare coverage” (Parts A and B).

 

New Jersey offers Medicare Part B premium assistance to individuals meeting income and asset guidelines through Medicare Savings Program (MSPs), which pay partial or full Medicare Part B premiums for eligible participants.

To determine your eligibility for Medicare Savings Programs, visit NJSave, an online application to help low-income seniors and individuals with disabilities save money on Medicare premiums, prescription costs, and other living expenses.

Get Help Figuring Out Medicare

New Jersey provides free Medicare counseling services through local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) offices. Trained volunteers can help you navigate the system and find the right options for you. Call 1-800-792-8820.

 

The Managed Long Term Services and Supports program (MLTSS) is a New Jersey initiative intended to provide a better way to help seniors and individuals with disabilities live at home for as long as possible. MLTSS also provides access to private duty nursing services for children requiring a skilled level of care. For more information about MLTSS, visit:  www.nj.gov/humanservices/dmahs/home/mltss.html

For more information about how to find low-cost health insurance, including NJ FamilyCare (Medicaid), MLTSS, and Medicare, visit the Getting Health Insurance page.

 

Personal care services are services that support people who are unable to perform activities of daily living on their own. Personal Care Services can be obtained through several programs.

 

Personal Care Assistant Service (PCA)

PCA services are non-emergent, on-going health related tasks performed by qualified staff in an eligible NJ FamilyCare (Medicaid) member’s home. The purpose of the program is to provide assistance with activities of daily living and household duties essential to the individual’s health and comfort.  To apply, contact your NJ FamilyCare Managed Care Organization (MCO).

 

Personal Preference Program (PPP)

The PPP offers an alternate way for individuals to receive their NJ FamilyCare Personal Care Assistant (PCA) services. This program enables eligible NJ FamilyCare recipients to direct and manage their PCA services rather than receiving traditional PCA agency services. NJ FamilyCare recipients work with a financial management service to help develop a plan through which they can decide the services they need, as well as the individuals and/or agencies they wish to hire to provide the identified services.  To enroll, contact your NJ FamilyCare Managed Care Organization (MCO) and ask to speak with a Care Manager.

Audio Description and Transcript: Choose and pay for care from a trusted caregiver

 

Personal Assistance Services Program (PASP)

The PASP is a personal care assistance program for individuals with permanent physical disabilities who are capable of directing their own services. The program provides up to 40 hours per week of routine, non-medical personal care assistance to adults ages 18 and above who are employed, preparing for employment (attending school or other training), or engaged in volunteer work. Personal assistants help with personal care tasks including, but not limited to, bathing, dressing, eating, grooming, meal preparation, shopping, light housekeeping, driving, or using public transportation. To apply, contact your county PASP Coordinator. For more information and County Coordinator contact information, visit:

www.nj.gov/humanservices/dds/programs/personalassistance/

 

Jersey Assistance for Community Caregiving (JACC)

Jersey Assistance for Community Caregiving (JACC) is a program that provides in-home services to seniors aged 60 and over who require a nursing facility level of care but wish to remain in their homes. Qualified individuals may have the opportunity to hire their own eligible family, friends, or neighbors to provide the care they need.

Services available through JACC include the following: care management, personal care assistance, caregiver relief (respite), home modifications, special medical equipment and supplies, chore services, personal emergency response system, home-delivered meal services, social adult day care, and transportation. JACC has a monthly co-pay based on the participant’s (and spouse’s) income. For more information, visit: https://www.nj.gov/humanservices/doas/services/a-k/jacc/

 

Programs of All Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)

PACE provides frail individuals, age 55 and older, comprehensive medical and social services coordinated and provided by a team of professionals in a community-based center and in their homes, helping program participants delay or avoid long-term nursing home care. To participate in PACE, an individual must be 55 years of age or older, require nursing home level of care but be able to live safely in the community at time of enrollment with the services of PACE, and reside in the service area of a PACE organization. You can leave a PACE program at any time.. For more information, visit https://www.nj.gov/humanservices/doas/services/l-p/pace/.i

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New Jersey has 21 county-based Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) that serve as the primary entities for developing comprehensive, coordinated systems of community-based services for older adults. AAAs also serve as Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) lead agencies in their county, ensuring seniors, adults with disabilities, and their caregivers have easy access to basic information and long-term services and supports. Find your county’s AAA here, and find more resources on the Aging and Disability Resource Connection website.

 

 

Group Meals

Your local Area Agencies on Aging provides at least one hot nutritious meal per day, five or more days per week. The program is available to all persons 60 or over and their spouses. Reservations are often required 24 hours in advance.

To find group meals near you, contact your local Area Agencies on Aging.

 

Home Delivered Meals

Seniors unable to prepare their meals and who have no family member, friend, neighbor or caregiver should contact their local Area Agencies on Aging to get meals delivered to their homes.

The program is available to adults 60 and older, and a meal may also be provided to your spouse. There is no income limit for these programs, but a formal needs assessment will be conducted and financial need may be used to prioritize enrollment.

 

Seniors Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP)

Low-income seniors can receive a $30 EBT card to purchase fruits, vegetables, herbs, and honey through participating farmers’ markets, roadside stands, and community-supported agriculture programs. For more information, contact your local Area Agencies on Aging.