Thank you to Neil Borenstein from the NJ Department of Human Services, Division of Aging Services for a breakdown of the programs offered through the NJSave Application and GetSetUp program. The NJ Division of Aging Services offers services and programs for NJ seniors and partners with other state agencies to ensure seniors receive financial, medical, and social benefits. While this may seem complex and confusing, the NJSave application makes it much easier to apply and qualify for many of these programs. So let’s dive in and find out how NJ seniors can receive a heap of benefits.
The NJ Division of Aging Services and Its Partners
Founded in 1957, the Division of Aging Services is dedicated to administering federal and state financial, medical, and social assistance programs for seniors and other qualified NJ residents. These programs include NJSave, Office of the Public Guardian, and the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). In many instances, the NJ Division of Aging Services works with county Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) to administer the funding and implementation of its programs. There are 21 county-based AAAs that range from municipal offices to non-profits that assist the NJ Division of Aging Services, including acting as Aging and Disability Resource Connection partners. To find your local office, please visit https://www.nj.gov/humanservices/doas/assistance/county-offices/index.shtml.
NJSave
The NJSave program is actually an umbrella term that comprises many different programs across multiple state agencies. NJSave uses one application to help determine eligibility for a variety of services and programs, including those administered directly by the Division of Aging Services and county AAAs. The NJSave application can be completed online or in paper and takes about 30-60 days to process. Once processed, individuals will be either enrolled in certain qualified programs or notified of eligibility in other programs. Help with filling out an application can be found by contacting your Area Agency on Aging (AAA) or State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), or call 1-800-792-9745. Let’s take a look at some of the programs that are part of the NJSave application.
Medicare Savings Programs
The Medicare Savings Programs are divided into 3 separate programs:
- Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) – helps pay for Part A premiums, Part B premiums, and deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments for services and items Medicare covers. The income limits for this program are $15,060 for singles and $20,448 for married couples and the asset limits are $9,430 for singles and $14,130 for married couples.
- Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) – pays Medicare Part B premiums. The income limits for this program are $18,072 for singles and $24,528 for married couples and the asset limits are $9,430 for singles and $14,130 for married couples.
- Qualifying Individual (QI) – pays Medicare Part B premiums for individuals with slightly higher income and asset limits. The income limits for this program are $20,340 for singles and $27,600 for married couples and the asset limits are $9,430 for singles and $14,130 for married couples.
Low Income Subsidy (LIS)
Also known as the Medicare Extra Help program, the LIS program helps with the cost of your prescription drugs, like deductibles and copays. You can apply for LIS/Extra Help any time before or after you enroll in Part D. The income limits for LIS are $22,590 for singles and $30,660 for married couples and the asset limits are $17,220 for individuals and $34,360 for married couples. This program may cover prescription drugs that are not covered by PAAD, discussed later.
Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled (PAAD)
The PAAD program helps eligible older adults and individuals with disabilities save money on their prescription drug costs. PAAD provides coverage for prescribed legend drugs, insulin and insulin supplies, and needled and syringes for injectable medicines used for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. PAAD DOES NOT PAY FOR DIABETES TESTING SUPPLIES! Persons enrolled in PAAD have a $5 copay for generic drugs and $7 for brand name ones. Only drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration are covered. Drugs purchased outside the State of New Jersey are not covered, nor is any pharmaceutical product whose manufacturer has not agreed to provide rebates to the State of New Jersey. PAAD may also pay for Medicare Part D premiums for certain plans as well as late enrollment penalties for certain plans.
The eligibility requirements for PAAD include:
- NJ Resident aged 65 or 18 or older if currently received Social Security Disability payments
- Your income for 2024 is less than $52,142 if single or less than $59,209 if married
- Must be enrolled or enrolling in a Medicare Part D plan
Senior Gold Prescription Discount Program
This program helps to make Medicare prescription drug coverage more affordable by reducing any other out-of-pocket costs associated with that coverage, such as deductibles, co-insurance, and the coverage gap known as the “donut hole.” It caps prescription drugs at $15 + 50% of the remaining cost that is not covered by your Medicare Part D plan. Once you reach expenses of $2,000 for individuals or $3,000 for married couples, all costs are capped at $15.
Lifeline Utility Assistance Program
Lifeline is a utility assistance program for older adults and people with disabilities that offers a $225 annual benefit to persons who meet the PAAD eligibility requirements or who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI). This includes utility customers as well as tenants whose utility bills are included in their rent.
Hearing Aid Assistance to the Aged and Disabled (HAAAD)
HAAAD provides up to a $500 reimbursement to offset the purchase of a hearing aid or up to a $1,000 reimbursement to offset the purchase of two hearing aids. Eligibility requirements are the same as for PAAD and also require a written statement from a medical professional documenting the need for a hearing aid as well as any receipts related to payment toward a hearing aid.
NJ Hearing Aid Project
The New Jersey Hearing Aid Project offers free refurbished hearing aids for individuals that meet program eligibility. The Hearing Aid Project is an innovative initiative launched by the New Jersey Division of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DDHH), in partnership with Montclair State University. It has the same eligibility requires as the HAAAD program, but does not require receipt proof of any payments.
If enrolled in PAAD (Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged & Disabled) fill out NJHAP application Form A. If not enrolled in PAAD (Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged & Disabled) fill out NJHAP application Form B.
GetSetUp
The NJ Department of Human Services’ Division of Aging Services has teamed up with GetSetUp to provide hundreds of live online classes to keep you mentally, physically and socially active. Classes are interactive, easy to join, offered day and night and free for our community. Classes are led by peers who are experts in their fields and address areas of interest to older adults.
More Information
For more information about the Division of Aging Services, please visit https://www.nj.gov/humanservices/doas/; for more information specifically on the NJSave application and applicable programs, please visit https://www.nj.gov/humanservices/doas/services/l-p/njsave/index.shtml. If you have any questions, please contact Neil Borenstein at Neil.Borenstein@dhs.nj.gov. You can download copies of the handouts/flyers below:
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