Senior benefits in Middlesex County, New Jersey

Middlesex 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 County Office of Aging and Disabled Services, the area agency on aging, for senior information, referral and case management (call 732-745-3295 and ask for Information and Assistance); (3) NJHCPAP + hospital FAP for healthcare safety-net; (4) LIHEAP/USF energy help through the two Middlesex agencies the NJ Department of Community Affairs lists: Community Affairs and Resource Center (CARC) in Perth Amboy (732-774-3282) and NORWESCAP in East Brunswick (908-454-4778); (5) Community FoodBank of New Jersey or regional food bank; (6) NJ SHARES utility-bill assistance; (7) NJ 2-1-1 for general referrals.

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

NJ LIHEAP for Middlesex County residents: Community Affairs and Resource Center (CARC, 421 State Street, Perth Amboy, 732-774-3282) and NORWESCAP, Inc. (197 Route 18, East Brunswick, 908-454-4778) take LIHEAP/USF applications for Middlesex 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: Middlesex: NJ LIHEAP delivery via Community Affairs and Resource Center (CARC) and NORWESCAP, Inc., the DCA-listed LIHEAP/USF agencies for Middlesex County.

Middlesex 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.

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

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.

Middlesex 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.

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

NJ 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.

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