Senior benefits in Bergen County, New Jersey
Seniors living in Bergen County, New Jersey have access to a wide range of benefit programs that can help with health care costs, prescription drugs, home energy bills, property taxes, and more. The Bergen County Division of Senior Services is the local Area Agency on Aging and a strong starting point for finding help. Through this office, seniors can get enrolled in programs like PAAD and Senior Gold for prescription savings, and connect with NJ SHIP counselors for free Medicare guidance. Greater Bergen Community Action administers local home energy assistance through LIHEAP for residents who need help with heating and cooling costs. Bergen County's four major hospital systems — including Hackensack University Medical Center, Englewood Health, Holy Name, and Valley — all participate in New Jersey's hospital financial assistance program. State programs such as ANCHOR, Senior Freeze, and Lifeline Utility Assistance may also apply. Federal programs covering everything from food assistance to veterans' benefits are listed below as well. Each program listing on this page includes its official source and the date it was last verified. The sponsoring agency always makes the final eligibility decision.
5
Local programs
19
New Jersey programs
25
Federal programs
15
Categories
Local starting point
Bergen County Division of Senior Services — designated Area Agency on Aging under the Older Americans Act Title III for Bergen County; one of 21 NJ county AAAs.
201-336-7400
See which of these Bergen County programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the Bergen County benefits checklist — free to hand out.
When benefit rules change, it’s tracked here
Income limits, new requirements, how to apply — see what’s changed across senior benefit programs, from the official source in plain English.
Programs run in Bergen County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Bergen County. Start here.
Emergency Aid
Programs here are typically worth $200–$3,000 a year to an eligible household.
Bergen County Emergency Aid — Referral Coordination
CountyBergen County emergency aid: (1) Bergen County Board of Social Services for Cash Assistance (WorkFirst NJ TANF), General Assistance, Emergency Assistance, NJ FamilyCare Medicaid (201-368-4200); (2) Bergen AAA for senior-specific case management (201-336-7400); (3) NJHCPAP + hospital FAP for healthcare safety-net; (4) Greater Bergen Community Action (GBCA) is the LIHEAP/USF administering agency for Bergen County for LIHEAP/USF; (5) Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese serving Bergen; (6) Community FoodBank of New Jersey or regional food bank; (7) NJ SHARES utility-bill assistance; (8) NJ 2-1-1 for general referrals.
$200–$3,000/yr
Bergen County LIHEAP Administering Agency — Home Energy Assistance (Bergen County)
CountyNJ LIHEAP for Bergen County residents: Greater Bergen Community Action (GBCA) is the LIHEAP/USF administering agency for Bergen County. Income limit: 60% state median (~$50,005 family of 1, ~$65,000 family of 2). Apply via DCAid (dcaid.dca.nj.gov), by calling 1-800-510-3102, or at the local administering agency. USF (Universal Service Fund) layers on top for ongoing year-round utility relief.
$200–$1,500/yr
In this county: Bergen: NJ LIHEAP delivery via Greater Bergen Community Action (GBCA) is the LIHEAP/USF administering agency for Bergen County.
Healthcare
Programs here are typically worth $500–$30,000 a year to an eligible household.
Hackensack Meridian Health (Hackensack University Medical Center) + Englewood Health + Holy Name + Valley — Financial Assistance (Bergen County)
CountyBergen County hospital safety net is Bergen = Hackensack Meridian flagship + Englewood + Holy Name + Valley. NJ's most competitive hospital market.. ALL NJ acute-care hospitals participate in the NJ Hospital Care Payment Assistance Program (NJHCPAP, formerly Charity Care) — 100% covered ≤200% FPL, sliding scale to 300% FPL — this applies in every NJ county. Each system also operates its own Financial Assistance Program above NJHCPAP for those between 300-400% FPL. Apply at the hospital's financial counseling office or at https://www.hackensackmeridianhealth.org/en/pay-bill/financial-assistance. Phone: 551-996-5000.
$500–$30,000/yr
In this county: Bergen: Bergen = Hackensack Meridian flagship + Englewood + Holy Name + Valley. NJ's most competitive hospital market.. NJHCPAP (state-mandated Charity Care) applies on top — 100% covered ≤200% FPL, sliding to 300% FPL.
Nutrition
Programs here are typically worth $1,500–$6,000 a year to an eligible household.
Bergen County Division of Senior Services — Title III + NJ SHIP + PAAD/Senior Gold Enrollment (Bergen County)
CountyBergen County AAA serves seniors age 60+ and caregivers. Services include: Title III Congregate Meals + Home-Delivered Meals (Meals on Wheels); NJ SHIP (Medicare benefits counseling); PAAD/Senior Gold/Lifeline enrollment via NJSave combined application; Jersey Assistance for Community Caregiving (JACC); Caregiver Support; Protective Services; LSTC Long-Term Care Options Counseling. Apply by calling AAA at 201-336-7400 or emailing seniors@co.bergen.nj.us.
$1,500–$6,000/yr
Transportation
Programs here are typically worth $300–$2,500 a year to an eligible household.
NJ Transit (Bergen Lines: Pascack Valley, Main, Bergen County, North Jersey Coast) + NY Waterway Ferry + Hudson Lite Rail terminus (Bergen County)
CountyNJ Transit (Bergen Lines: Pascack Valley, Main, Bergen County, North Jersey Coast) + NY Waterway Ferry + Hudson Lite Rail terminus serves Bergen County. Bergen = NJ's largest county and densest commuter market. NJ Transit Bergen Lines (Pascack Valley, Main/Bergen, North Jersey Coast), Hudson-Bergen Light Rail terminates at Tonnelle Ave (North Bergen). NY Waterway ferry from Edgewater/Weehawken to NYC. NJ Transit Senior Reduced Fare half-fare for 62+. Access Link paratransit.. NJ Transit Senior Reduced Fare ID required for half-fare — apply at NJ Transit customer service center or via mail-in form. Access Link statewide ADA paratransit within ¾ mile of NJ Transit bus routes.
$300–$2,500/yr
New Jersey and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Bergen County and across the rest of New Jersey. Full details are on the New Jersey benefits page.
Emergency Aid
Employment
- Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)Federal$15,000–$17,000/yrOfficial source →
Food Assistance
- Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) Senior Food BoxFederal$240–$600/yrOfficial source →
- Congregate Meals at Senior CentersFederal$1,000–$2,500/yrOfficial source →
- Home-Delivered Meals (Meals on Wheels)Federal$1,500–$4,000/yrOfficial source →
- Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP)Federal$35–$50/yrOfficial source →
- SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) for SeniorsFederal$280–$2,400/yrOfficial source →
Healthcare
- CHAMPVA (Civilian Health and Medical Program of the VA)Federal$3,000–$15,000/yrOfficial source →
- State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)FederalOfficial source →
- VA Health CareFederal$5,000–$20,000/yrOfficial source →
- Medicare Savings Programs (QMB/SLMB/QI) — New JerseyState$2,000–$5,000/yrOfficial source →
- NJ FamilyCare — Aged, Blind, Disabled MedicaidState$4,000–$30,000/yrOfficial source →
- NJ SHIP — State Health Insurance Assistance Program (Medicare Counseling)StateOfficial source →
- PAAD — Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and DisabledState$500–$4,500/yrOfficial source →
- Senior Gold Prescription Discount ProgramState$300–$2,500/yrOfficial source →
Home Care
- Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)State$30,000–$80,000/yrOfficial source →
Housing
- Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8)Federal$8,000–$20,000/yrOfficial source →
- HUD Section 202 Supportive Housing for the ElderlyFederal$5,000–$15,000/yrOfficial source →
Income Support
Long Term Care
Medicare Savings
- Extra Help (Part D Low-Income Subsidy)Federal$4,000–$5,300/yrOfficial source →
- Qualifying Individual (QI)Federal$2,400–$2,435/yrOfficial source →
- Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB)Federal$2,435–$3,500/yrOfficial source →
- Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB)Federal$2,400–$2,435/yrOfficial source →
Supportive Services
- Long-Term Care Ombudsman ProgramFederalOfficial source →
- National Family Caregiver Support Program (OAA Title III-E)Federal$1,000–$5,000/yrOfficial source →
- Older Americans Act Supportive Services (Title III-B)Federal$500–$3,000/yrOfficial source →
- Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP)FederalOfficial source →
- BG William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery (No-Cost Burial)StateOfficial source →
- New Jersey Disabled Veteran Free Hunting & Fishing LicensesStateOfficial source →
- New Jersey Veterans Service Offices (Free VA Claims Help)StateOfficial source →
Tax Relief
- Federal Credit for the Elderly or the Disabled (IRS Schedule R)Federalup to $1,125/yrOfficial source →
- New Jersey 100% Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemption (Full Exemption)State$7,000–$12,000/yrOfficial source →
- ANCHOR — Affordable New Jersey Communities for Homeowners and RentersState$450–$1,750/yrOfficial source →
- Senior Freeze — Property Tax Reimbursement (PTR)State$200–$5,000/yrOfficial source →
- New Jersey $250 Veteran Property Tax DeductionState$250/yrOfficial source →
Transportation
- NJ Transit Senior Citizen Reduced FareState$300–$2,500/yrOfficial source →
Utility Assistance
- Federal LifelineFederal$111–$411/yrOfficial source →
- Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)Federal$3,000–$8,000/yrOfficial source →
Veteran Benefits
- VA Aid & Attendance (Improved Pension)Federal$12,000–$34,488/yrOfficial source →
Nearby counties
County programs differ from one county to the next. If you live near a county line, or you are helping a parent who lives in one of these, it is worth checking there too.
Not legal or financial advice. The agency makes the final eligibility decision.