Latest news for New Jerseyans
Medicare Open Enrollment: October 15th to December 7th
During this time, Medicare beneficiaries should review their Part D Drug Plan and Medicare Advantage Health Plan. Every year, these plans change cost and coverage, so comparing plans can ensure the consumer is enrolled in a plan offering the best coverage and cost savings for their situation. The
Medicare Plan Finder has a tool for plan comparison as a resource.
The
NJ SHIP program posts charts of available Medicare plans on their website.
SHIP certified counselors are also available to provide one-on-one assistance to beneficiaries via phone or virtually in reviewing plans.
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New Jersey SNAP
Did you know that 210,000 older New Jerseyans lack regular access to enough affordable food? Let’s do something about it. Time to get the word out about how NJ SNAP can help. Visit
NJSNAP.gov to learn more. The minimum monthly SNAP benefit in New Jersey is now $95.
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PAAD & Senior Gold Income Limit Increase
Based on the Governor’s initiative to assist the most vulnerable population of the State, the PAAD, Lifeline and HAAAD annual income limit has been raised by 10,000 dollars. Income limits are less than $52,142 for single persons and less than $59,209 for married couples. The Senior Gold annual income limits are between $52,142 and $62,142 for single persons and between $59,209 and $69,209 for married couples.
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Community Resources, Education & Wellness
Community-based health promotion and disease prevention workshops are available in person and online. To find out if programs are currently available in your community, contact the local partner on the following provider lists:
A Matter of Balance –
Link Stress Busters for Family Caregivers –
Link Tai Ji Quan: Moving for Better Balance –
Link Take Control of Your Health –
Link
The New Jersey Division of Aging Services is currently planning and prepping wellness workshops and trainings for Spring/Summer/Fall 2024. If you are interested in becoming a trained Peer Leader, a Participant in the workshops, or want to host one of these trainings at your agency or site, please contact Andrew Biederman at (609) 438-4797 or Heather Taylor at (609)438-4798.
Our Project Healthy Bones manual has been revised and an e-mail will be going out on the PHB Listserv over the next week to register for the online portal. If you are a Peer Leader or Lead Coordinator and do not believe you are on the Listserv, please e-mail Heather Taylor at Heather.Taylor@dhs.nj.gov.
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New Jersey Caregiver Task Force
Caregivers play a vital role in the lives of many New Jerseyans including older adults and individuals with disabilities, chronic health conditions and cognitive or behavioral health challenges. The
New Jersey Caregiver Task Force created by the Murphy Administration and the Legislature worked to determine the availability of caregiver support services in the State, and provide recommendations for the improvement and expansion of such services. The Task Force’s final report can be found
here.
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NJ Human Services: One-Stop, Online Application for Older New Jerseyans to Access Benefits
Older New Jerseyans are now just one click away from important benefits and savings.
The Department of Human Services’ (DHS) Division of Aging Services has launched NJSave, an online application to help older residents with low-incomes and individuals with disabilities save money on Medicare premiums, prescription costs, and other living expenses. Use this application for:
Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled (PAAD)
Hearing Aid Assistance to the Aged and Disabled (HAAAD)
Lifeline Utility Assistance
Medicare Savings Programs
Medicare Part D’s Low Income Subsidy (LIS, also known as “Extra Help”)
Senior Gold Prescription Discount Program
Universal Service Fund (USF)
Low-Income Heating and Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
The NJSave application has been translated into Spanish. Simply go to the site and click on the word Español. Link
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Resources Recently Translated to Spanish
The NJ Department of Human Services’ Resource Guide, compiled by the Division of Disability Services, is also now available in Spanish. Link