Senior benefits in Cape May County, New Jersey

Cape May County emergency aid: (1) Cape May County Board of Social Services for Cash Assistance (WorkFirst NJ TANF), General Assistance, Emergency Assistance, NJ FamilyCare Medicaid (609-886-6200); (2) Cape May AAA for senior-specific case management (609-886-2784); (3) NJHCPAP + hospital FAP for healthcare safety-net; (4) Cape May County Department of Social Services + Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Camden coordinate LIHEAP delivery for Cape May County for LIHEAP/USF; (5) Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Camden (serving all of South Jersey + Shore); (6) Food Bank of South Jersey + Community FoodBank of NJ; (7) NJ SHARES utility-bill assistance; (8) NJ 2-1-1 for general referrals.

Estimated bill savings: $200–$3,000 a year

NJ LIHEAP for Cape May County residents: Native America Advancement Corp. (NAAC, 17E Commerce Street, Bridgeton, 856-455-0600; walk-in and home visits by appointment) takes LIHEAP/USF applications for Cape May County. Income limit: 60% state median ($51,273 for 1 person, $67,049 for 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.

Estimated bill savings: $200–$1,500 a year

In this county: Cape May: NJ LIHEAP delivery via Native America Advancement Corp. (NAAC), the DCA-listed LIHEAP/USF agency for Cape May County.

Cape May County's only hospital is Cooper Norcross University Hospital Cape Regional in Cape May Court House (formerly Cape Regional Medical Center, now part of Cooper Norcross Health). All NJ acute-care hospitals take part in the NJ Hospital Care Payment Assistance Program (Charity Care): 100% covered at or below 200% FPL, sliding scale to 300% FPL. Cooper also has its own Financial Assistance Policy for uninsured and underinsured patients. To apply, call the Cape Regional Financial Counselor at 609-463-2443 to set up an appointment (Cooper Financial Counseling: 856-342-3140), or get the policy and application at https://www.cooperhealth.org/patients-and-visitors/financial-and-insurance-information/financial-assistance-and-charity-care.

Estimated bill savings: $500–$30,000 a year

In this county: Cape May: Cooper Norcross University Hospital Cape Regional is the only in-county hospital. NJ Charity Care applies — 100% covered at or below 200% FPL, sliding to 300% FPL; an asset test also applies. The hospital makes the final decision.

Cape May 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 609-886-2784 or emailing aging@capemaycountynj.gov.

Estimated service value: $1,500–$6,000 a year

NJ Transit (Atlantic City Line connections via Atlantic City + Cape May-Lewes Ferry cross-border DE) + Local Bus serves Cape May County. Cape May County (~95K, NJ's southernmost county): NJ Transit bus 313/315/553/554 connects Cape May + Wildwood + Avalon to Atlantic City for further rail. Cape May-Lewes Ferry (Delaware River and Bay Authority) connects Cape May NJ to Lewes DE — cross-border DE/MD/VA gateway. NJ Transit Senior Reduced Fare half-fare for 62+. Limited fixed-route; seasonal tourist heavy. 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.

Estimated service value: $300–$2,500 a year