Senior benefits in Bergen County, New Jersey

Bergen 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.

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

NJ LIHEAP for Bergen County residents: Greater Bergen Community Action (GBCA, 392 Main Street, Hackensack, and 529 Midland Avenue, Garfield; 201-488-5100 ext. 7044) and Lightup Your World Inc. (LUYW, Mount Laurel, 856-817-2460) take LIHEAP/USF applications for Bergen 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: Bergen: NJ LIHEAP delivery via Greater Bergen Community Action (GBCA) and Lightup Your World Inc. (LUYW), the DCA-listed LIHEAP/USF agencies for Bergen County.

Bergen 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.

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

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.

Bergen 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.

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

NJ 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.

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