Senior benefits in Somerset County, New Jersey

Somerset County emergency aid: (1) Somerset County Board of Social Services for Cash Assistance (WorkFirst NJ TANF), General Assistance, Emergency Assistance, NJ FamilyCare Medicaid (908-526-8800); (2) Somerset AAA for senior-specific case management (908-704-6346); (3) NJHCPAP + hospital FAP for healthcare safety-net; (4) Somerset County Community Development Block Grant + Catholic Charities of Metuchen Diocese coordinate LIHEAP delivery for Somerset County for LIHEAP/USF; (5) Catholic Charities of the Diocese serving Somerset; (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 Somerset County residents: NORWESCAP, Inc. (walk-in office, 120 Finderne Avenue, Bridgewater; 908-454-4778) and Humanitaire Chrétien Sans Frontière (HCSF, 609-994-5900) take LIHEAP/USF applications for Somerset 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: Somerset: NJ LIHEAP delivery via NORWESCAP, Inc. and Humanitaire Chrétien Sans Frontière (HCSF), the DCA-listed LIHEAP/USF agencies for Somerset County.

Somerset County's main hospital is Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset in Somerville, part of RWJBarnabas Health. Every New Jersey acute-care hospital takes part in the New Jersey Hospital Care Payment Assistance Program (Charity Care), which covers hospital care in full at or below 200% FPL and on a sliding scale up to 300% FPL. RWJBarnabas also has its own Financial Assistance Policy for patients who do not qualify for Charity Care. The RWJBarnabas Financial Resources page has the Financial Assistance Policy, a plain-language summary, and the New Jersey Hospital Care Assistance Program application. Ask for the financial counselor at the hospital, main line 908-685-2200.

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

In this county: Somerset: Somerset = RWJ University Hospital Somerset (RWJBarnabas Somerville flagship since 2014). Affluent suburban demographic. NJHCPAP applies on top — 100% covered ≤200% FPL, sliding to 300% FPL.

Somerset 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 908-704-6346 or emailing aging@co.somerset.nj.us.

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

Somerset County Para-Transit gives rides to county residents who are 60 or older, or who have a disability and are 18 or older, and who have no other way to get there. Rides go to medical appointments, jobs, nutrition programs and other places, including pharmacies, banks, credit unions, salons and barbershops. Trips are given based on time and space available. Call the Transportation Division at 908-231-7116 to register and book a ride.

Estimated service value: about $0 a year

In this county: Para-transit is for riders who have no other means of transportation, and trips depend on time and space available, so this shows as a may-qualify result. Not legal or financial advice.

NJ Transit (Raritan Valley Line + Gladstone Branch) + Local Bus serves Somerset County. Somerset County: NJ Transit Raritan Valley Line (Somerville, Bound Brook, Raritan, Bridgewater) + Gladstone Branch (Far Hills, Bernardsville). Local NJ Transit bus. Somerset is affluent suburban — Bridgewater, Bernardsville, Basking Ridge. 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