Senior benefits in Passaic County, New Jersey

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.

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

NJ LIHEAP for Passaic County residents: Passaic County Administration Weatherization & HEA (930 Riverview Drive, Totowa, and 301 Main Street, Paterson; 973-569-4032) and Paterson Task Force (191-195 Market St., Paterson, 973-279-2333 ext. 131) take LIHEAP/USF applications for Passaic 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: Passaic: NJ LIHEAP delivery via Passaic County Administration Weatherization & HEA and Paterson Task Force, the DCA-listed LIHEAP/USF agencies for Passaic 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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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