Senior benefits in Mercer County, New Jersey

Mercer County emergency aid: (1) Mercer County Board of Social Services for Cash Assistance (WorkFirst NJ TANF), General Assistance, Emergency Assistance, NJ FamilyCare Medicaid (609-989-4320); (2) Mercer AAA for senior-specific case management (609-989-6661); (3) NJHCPAP + hospital FAP for healthcare safety-net; (4) Mercer Alliance to End Homelessness + Catholic Charities of Trenton Diocese coordinate LIHEAP delivery for Mercer County for LIHEAP/USF; (5) Catholic Charities of the Diocese serving Mercer; (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

NJ LIHEAP for Mercer County residents: Mercer Alliance to End Homelessness + Catholic Charities of Trenton Diocese coordinate LIHEAP delivery for Mercer 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: Mercer: NJ LIHEAP delivery via Mercer Alliance to End Homelessness + Catholic Charities of Trenton Diocese coordinate LIHEAP delivery for Mercer County.

Mercer County hospital safety net is Mercer = Capital Health (Trenton safety-net + Hopewell suburban, 2-hospital independent) + Penn Medicine Princeton Health (Penn cross-border PA-NJ academic affiliation since 2018). Cross-border PA-NJ.. ALL NJ acute-care hospitals participate in NJ Hospital Care Payment Assistance Program (NJHCPAP, formerly Charity Care) — 100% covered ≤200% FPL, sliding scale to 300% FPL. 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.capitalhealth.org/patients-visitors/bills-and-insurance/financial-assistance. Phone: 609-394-6000.

$500–$30,000/yr

In this county: Mercer: Mercer = Capital Health (Trenton safety-net + Hopewell suburban, 2-hospital independent) + Penn Medicine Princeton Health (Penn cross-border PA-NJ academic affiliation since 2018). Cross-border PA-NJ.. NJHCPAP applies on top — 100% covered ≤200% FPL, sliding to 300% FPL.

Mercer 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 609-989-6661 or emailing aging@mercercounty.org.

$1,500–$6,000/yr

NJ Transit (Northeast Corridor + River Line Light Rail) + Local Bus serves Mercer County. Mercer County: NJ Transit Northeast Corridor (Trenton, Hamilton, Princeton Junction — Trenton is also the southern terminus for SEPTA's regional rail to Philly) + River Line Light Rail (Trenton-Camden, NJ's only diesel light rail). Local NJ Transit bus + Princeton TigerTransit. NJ Transit Senior Reduced Fare half-fare for 62+. Trenton/Mercer is NJ's transit-system intersection with PA SEPTA.. 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