Benefits · New Jersey

Senior benefits in Passaic County, New Jersey

Seniors in Passaic 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 Passaic County Department of Senior Services, Disabilities and Veterans Affairs serves as the local Area Agency on Aging and is a strong starting point for connecting with programs like PAAD, Senior Gold, and NJ SHIP Medicare counseling. If you face a sudden hardship, Passaic County Emergency Aid referral coordination can help link you to community resources quickly. Home energy help is available through the Passaic County LIHEAP Administering Agency, coordinated locally through community partners. Seniors who ride NJ Transit can take advantage of the Senior Citizen Reduced Fare program across rail and bus lines serving Paterson, Passaic, and Clifton. State programs such as ANCHOR, Senior Freeze, and Lifeline Utility Assistance may also apply. Federal programs add further support. Each program listing on this page includes its official source and the date it was last verified — the administering agency makes all final eligibility decisions.

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Local programs

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New Jersey programs

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Federal programs

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Categories

Local starting point

Passaic County Department of Senior Services, Disabilities and Veterans Affairs — designated Area Agency on Aging under the Older Americans Act Title III for Passaic County; one of 21 NJ county AAAs.

973-569-4060

See which of these Passaic County programs you may qualify for.

Find my benefits

Helping others? Print the Passaic 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.

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Programs run in Passaic County

Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Passaic County. Start here.

Emergency Aid

Programs here are typically worth $200–$3,000 a year to an eligible household.

Passaic County Emergency Aid — Referral Coordination

County

Passaic County emergency aid: (1) Passaic County Board of Social Services for Cash Assistance (WorkFirst NJ TANF), General Assistance, Emergency Assistance, NJ FamilyCare Medicaid (973-881-0100); (2) Passaic AAA for senior-specific case management (973-569-4060); (3) NJHCPAP + hospital FAP for healthcare safety-net; (4) Passaic County Office of Community Services (NORWESCAP partner) + Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Paterson coordinate LIHEAP delivery for Passaic County for LIHEAP/USF; (5) Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese serving Passaic; (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

How to apply →Official source →211Last verified · July 6, 2026

Passaic County LIHEAP Administering Agency — Home Energy Assistance (Passaic County)

County

NJ LIHEAP for Passaic County residents: Passaic County Office of Community Services (NORWESCAP partner) + Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Paterson coordinate LIHEAP delivery for Passaic 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: Passaic: NJ LIHEAP delivery via Passaic County Office of Community Services (NORWESCAP partner) + Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Paterson coordinate LIHEAP delivery for Passaic County.

How to apply →Official source →1-800-510-3102Last verified · September 1, 2026

Healthcare

Programs here are typically worth $500–$30,000 a year to an eligible household.

St. Joseph's Health (Paterson + Wayne) + St. Mary's General (Passaic) — Financial Assistance (Passaic County)

County

Passaic County hospital safety net is Passaic = St. Joseph's University Medical Center (Paterson flagship, urban Catholic safety-net) + St. Joseph's Wayne + St. Mary's General Passaic. NJ's largest Catholic safety-net network.. 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://stjosephshealth.org/patients-visitors/billing-insurance/pay-your-bill/. Phone: 973-754-2000.

$500–$30,000/yr

In this county: Passaic: Passaic = St. Joseph's University Medical Center (Paterson flagship, urban Catholic safety-net) + St. Joseph's Wayne + St. Mary's General Passaic. NJ's largest Catholic safety-net network.. NJHCPAP (state-mandated Charity Care) applies on top — 100% covered ≤200% FPL, sliding to 300% FPL.

How to apply →Official source →973-754-2000Last verified · September 3, 2026

Nutrition

Programs here are typically worth $1,500–$6,000 a year to an eligible household.

Passaic County Department of Senior Services, Disabilities and Veterans Affairs — Title III + NJ SHIP + PAAD/Senior Gold Enrollment (Passaic County)

County

Passaic 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 973-569-4060 or emailing seniorservices@passaiccountynj.org.

$1,500–$6,000/yr

How to apply →Official source →973-569-4060Last verified · July 6, 2026

Transportation

Programs here are typically worth $300–$2,500 a year to an eligible household.

NJ Transit (Main Line, Boonton Line, Bergen County Line) + Local Bus + NJ Transit Light Rail (Newark City Subway terminus connection) (Passaic County)

County

NJ Transit (Main Line, Boonton Line, Bergen County Line) + Local Bus + NJ Transit Light Rail (Newark City Subway terminus connection) serves Passaic County. Passaic County: NJ Transit Main Line (Paterson, Passaic, Clifton), Boonton Line, Bergen County Line. NJ Transit local bus serves Paterson + Passaic. NJ Transit Senior Reduced Fare half-fare for 62+. Paterson is NJ's 3rd-largest city.. 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

How to apply →Official source →973-491-7600Last verified · September 2, 2026

New Jersey and federal programs

Open to eligible households in Passaic County and across the rest of New Jersey. Full details are on the New Jersey benefits page.

Utility Assistance

Veteran Benefits

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.

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Not legal or financial advice. The agency makes the final eligibility decision.