Senior benefits in Hudson County, New Jersey

Hudson County emergency aid: (1) Hudson County Board of Social Services for Cash Assistance (WorkFirst NJ TANF), General Assistance, Emergency Assistance, NJ FamilyCare Medicaid (201-420-3000); (2) Hudson AAA for senior-specific case management (201-271-4322); (3) NJHCPAP + hospital FAP for healthcare safety-net; (4) Hudson County Division of Family Services + Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Newark coordinate LIHEAP delivery for Hudson County for LIHEAP/USF; (5) Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese serving Hudson; (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 Hudson County residents: PACO (390 Manila Avenue, Jersey City, 844-722-6432) and Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Newark (47 Miller Street, Newark, 973-266-7954) take LIHEAP/USF applications for Hudson 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: Hudson: NJ LIHEAP delivery via PACO and Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Newark, the DCA-listed LIHEAP/USF agencies for Hudson County.

Hudson County hospital safety net is Hudson = RWJBarnabas Jersey City Medical Center + CarePoint 3-hospital system (Christ + Hoboken + Bayonne). Urban Jersey City safety net. 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.rwjbh.org/patients-visitors/billing-financial-assistance/. Phone: 877-221-7809.

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

In this county: Hudson: Hudson = RWJBarnabas Jersey City Medical Center + CarePoint 3-hospital system (Christ + Hoboken + Bayonne). Urban Jersey City safety net. NJHCPAP (state-mandated Charity Care) applies on top — 100% covered ≤200% FPL, sliding to 300% FPL.

Hudson 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 201-271-4322 or emailing aging@hcnj.us.

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

PATH + Hudson-Bergen Light Rail + NJ Transit Bus + NY Waterway Ferry serves Hudson County. Hudson = NJ's densest, most-transit-rich county. PATH (Port Authority Trans-Hudson) serves Jersey City + Hoboken + Newark connections — PATH offers senior reduced fare at age 65 with Senior SmartLink card. Hudson-Bergen Light Rail (NJ Transit operated) runs Jersey City + Hoboken + Bayonne + West New York. NJ Transit bus + NY Waterway ferry. NJ Transit Senior Reduced Fare half-fare for 62+ (different age than PATH's 65+). 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