Senior benefits in Middlesex County, New Jersey
Seniors and caregivers in Middlesex 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 Middlesex County Office of Aging and Disabled Services is the designated Area Agency on Aging for the county and is a strong local starting point for help. Through that office, you can get connected to programs like PAAD, Senior Gold, and NJ SHIP Medicare counseling. For home energy assistance, the county works with local administering agencies to deliver LIHEAP and related utility help. Homeowners and renters may also qualify for ANCHOR or the Senior Freeze property tax reimbursement. Seniors in New Brunswick can explore financial assistance through both RWJ University Hospital and Saint Peter's University Hospital. NJ Transit also offers a Senior Citizen Reduced Fare for eligible riders. Federal programs — including Extra Help for prescription costs and Medicare Savings Programs — apply here as well. Each program listing below includes its official source and the date it was last verified. The administering agency always makes the final eligibility decision.
5
Local programs
19
New Jersey programs
25
Federal programs
15
Categories
Local starting point
Middlesex County Office of Aging and Disabled Services — designated Area Agency on Aging under the Older Americans Act Title III for Middlesex County; one of 21 NJ county AAAs.
732-745-3295
See which of these Middlesex County programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the Middlesex 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 Middlesex County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Middlesex County. Start here.
Emergency Aid
Programs here are typically worth $200–$3,000 a year to an eligible household.
Middlesex County Emergency Aid — Referral Coordination
CountyMiddlesex County emergency aid: (1) Middlesex County Board of Social Services for Cash Assistance (WorkFirst NJ TANF), General Assistance, Emergency Assistance, NJ FamilyCare Medicaid (732-745-3500); (2) Middlesex AAA for senior-specific case management (732-745-3295); (3) NJHCPAP + hospital FAP for healthcare safety-net; (4) Puerto Rican Action Board (PRAB) + Catholic Charities of Trenton Diocese are the LIHEAP/USF administering agencies for Middlesex County for LIHEAP/USF; (5) Catholic Charities of the Diocese serving Middlesex; (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
Middlesex County LIHEAP Administering Agency — Home Energy Assistance (Middlesex County)
CountyNJ LIHEAP for Middlesex County residents: Puerto Rican Action Board (PRAB) + Catholic Charities of Trenton Diocese are the LIHEAP/USF administering agencies for Middlesex 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: Middlesex: NJ LIHEAP delivery via Puerto Rican Action Board (PRAB) + Catholic Charities of Trenton Diocese are the LIHEAP/USF administering agencies for Middlesex County.
Healthcare
Programs here are typically worth $500–$30,000 a year to an eligible household.
RWJ University Hospital New Brunswick + Saint Peter's University Hospital — Financial Assistance (Middlesex County)
CountyMiddlesex County hospital safety net is Middlesex = RWJ University Hospital New Brunswick (RWJBarnabas flagship) + Saint Peter's University Hospital (INDEPENDENT Catholic) — two competing academic medical centers in same city.. 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.rwjbh.org/patients-visitors/billing-financial-assistance/. Phone: 732-828-3000.
$500–$30,000/yr
In this county: Middlesex: Middlesex = RWJ University Hospital New Brunswick (RWJBarnabas flagship) + Saint Peter's University Hospital (INDEPENDENT Catholic) — two competing academic medical centers in same city.. NJHCPAP 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.
Middlesex County Office of Aging and Disabled Services — Title III + NJ SHIP + PAAD/Senior Gold Enrollment (Middlesex County)
CountyMiddlesex 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 732-745-3295 or emailing aging@co.middlesex.nj.us.
$1,500–$6,000/yr
Transportation
Programs here are typically worth $300–$2,500 a year to an eligible household.
NJ Transit (Northeast Corridor + North Jersey Coast Line) + Local Bus (Middlesex County)
CountyNJ Transit (Northeast Corridor + North Jersey Coast Line) + Local Bus serves Middlesex County. Middlesex County: NJ Transit Northeast Corridor (Princeton Junction, New Brunswick, Edison, Metropark) — heaviest commuter rail volume in NJ + North Jersey Coast Line. New Brunswick is Rutgers's home + a major hospital corridor. NJ Transit Senior Reduced Fare half-fare for 62+.. 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 Middlesex 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.
