Free, plain-English help for seniors and families in New Jersey. Education, not advice. Verify before you rely on it.
Start here (works anywhere in New Jersey)
- 211 (dial 2-1-1) for local rent, utility, food, and medical help, 24/7
- Eldercare Locator 1-800-677-1116, the federal front door to your Area Agency on Aging
- BenefitsCheckUp.org screens you for every benefit you may qualify for
- Medicare 1-800-633-4227 | Social Security 1-800-772-1213 | VA Benefits 1-800-827-1000
- Alzheimer's Association 24/7 Helpline 1-800-272-3900 | National Elder Fraud Hotline 1-833-372-8311 | Crisis Lifeline 988
Free Medicare counseling (New Jersey SHIP)
New Jersey's program is the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), run by the NJ Division of Aging Services. Free, unbiased one-on-one Medicare counseling, plan comparisons, and help with claims and appeals. Statewide toll-free hotline: 1-800-792-8820 (weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.). Counseling sites operate in all 21 counties. Online: nj.gov/humanservices/doas/services/q-z/ship.
Medicaid in New Jersey
New Jersey Medicaid is called NJ FamilyCare. Apply online at njfamilycare.org (the fastest way) or call 1-800-701-0710 (TTY 711) to apply by phone with a Health Benefits Coordinator. NJ FamilyCare can help pay Medicare premiums and long-term care costs for those who qualify. Applications are processed within 45 days.
Prescription help
New Jersey runs one of the strongest state drug programs in the country:
- PAAD (Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged & Disabled): copays of $5 per covered generic and $7 per covered brand-name prescription for qualifying seniors 65+ (and disabled residents).
- Senior Gold Prescription Discount Program: for seniors whose income is above the PAAD limit but within $10,000 of it, copays are $15 plus half the remaining cost.
- Apply for both (plus other savings like Medicare Savings Programs) through the single NJSave application at nj.gov/humanservices/doas/services/l-p/njsave. Income limits adjust every year, so apply even if you were over the limit before.
Energy and utility help
New Jersey's LIHEAP program is the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEA), run by the NJ Department of Community Affairs (one application also covers the Universal Service Fund). Apply online at dcaid.dca.nj.gov or call the HEA Hotline at 1-800-510-3102 (Mon-Fri 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) to find your local application agency.
Property tax relief (New Jersey)
New Jersey seniors now apply for THREE programs with ONE combined application, form PAS-1, filed online at propertytaxrelief.nj.gov. For the 2025 benefit year the deadline is November 2, 2026.
- Senior Freeze (Property Tax Reimbursement): reimburses eligible homeowners 65+ (or receiving Social Security disability) for property tax increases above their "base year." Income limits: $168,268 or less for 2024 and $172,475 or less for 2025. 2025 payments began going out July 15, 2026.
- Stay NJ: new benefit for homeowners 65 and older with income under $500,000 who owned and lived in their home all 12 months of 2025. Pays 50% of your property tax bill up to a $6,500 cap for 2025, calculated after ANCHOR and Senior Freeze, paid by check in quarterly installments.
- ANCHOR: the broader homeowner/renter rebate, included automatically in the same PAS-1 application. File once, and the Division of Taxation calculates all three. Questions: the NJ Division of Taxation property tax relief pages at nj.gov/treasury/taxation/relief.shtml.
Food, in-home help, caregiver, transportation, and legal help
The NJ Division of Aging Services (nj.gov/humanservices/doas) oversees the county-based Area Agencies on Aging (also called Aging & Disability Resource Connections), which handle home-delivered meals, in-home care, caregiver support, and senior transportation in all 21 counties. Find yours through the Eldercare Locator (1-800-677-1116) or by dialing 211. For free civil legal help, ask your county Area Agency on Aging or 211 for the legal services office covering your county.
Frequently asked questions
What is New Jersey's SHIP program? The State Health Insurance Assistance Program, run by the NJ Division of Aging Services. Free Medicare counseling at 1-800-792-8820, with sites in all 21 counties.
Does New Jersey offer senior property tax relief? Yes, three programs: Senior Freeze, Stay NJ (50% of property taxes up to $6,500 for 65+ homeowners with income under $500,000), and ANCHOR. One combined PAS-1 application at propertytaxrelief.nj.gov covers all three. The 2025 deadline is November 2, 2026.
How do New Jersey seniors get help with prescription costs? Through PAAD ($5 generic / $7 brand copays) or Senior Gold. Apply with the NJSave application through the NJ Division of Aging Services.
How do New Jersey seniors get help with heating bills? Through the Home Energy Assistance Program. Apply at dcaid.dca.nj.gov or call 1-800-510-3102.
Sources
- NJ Division of Aging Services, SHIP: https://nj.gov/humanservices/doas/services/q-z/ship/ . Verified June 5, 2026.
- NJ FamilyCare, apply: https://njfamilycare.dhs.state.nj.us/apply.aspx . Verified June 5, 2026.
- NJ Division of Aging Services, PAAD: https://www.nj.gov/humanservices/doas/services/l-p/paad/ and Senior Gold: https://www.nj.gov/humanservices/doas/services/q-z/senior-gold/ . Verified June 5, 2026.
- NJ DCA, Home Energy Assistance: https://www.nj.gov/dca/dhcr/offices/hea.shtml . Verified June 5, 2026.
- NJ Division of Taxation, Senior Freeze: https://www.nj.gov/treasury/taxation/ptr/ and eligibility: https://www.nj.gov/treasury/taxation/ptr/eligibility.shtml . Verified June 5, 2026.
- NJ Division of Taxation, Stay NJ: https://www.nj.gov/treasury/taxation/staynj/index.shtml . Verified June 5, 2026.