Assistance Programs and Directory of Resources
This list of resources and links has been compiled by library staff and focuses on governmental assistance programs, non-profit assistance resources and local resources. The is NOT and exhaustive list and detailed information is found by utilizing the links listed below. We hope this will serve as a helpful directory for locating assistance resources in multiple areas of need. Resources are organized alphabetically by category and then subcategory.
Navigate to the Topic You Are Interested In
*information on other topics will be coming soon
Animal Welfare
Employment
Family and Child Resources
Food Security and Assistance
Fraud and Scam Protection
Health
Social Security Resources
Utility Assistance
Other
Housing
Immigration, Citizenship and ESL
Legal Services
LGBTQ+
Mental Health
Personal Finance
Retirement and Social Security
Retirement Resources
Medicare
Find Medicare Resources
General Information - Federal Level
Medicare.gov - official US government website for the Medicare program
New Jersey Medicare Resources
State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) - The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) provides free help to New Jersey Medicare beneficiaries who have problems with, or questions about their health insurance. SHIP is a statewide program administered by the New Jersey Department of Human Services and funded in part by a grant from the U.S. Administration for Community Living. Also includes information on Medigap plans, Medicare Advantage Plans, Stand-Alone Prescription Plans, and more.
SHIP Information Center: 1-800-792-8820
NJ Save - NJ Save is an online application to help low-income seniors and individuals with disabilities save money on Medicare premiums, prescriptions costs, and other living expenses. Click on the NJ Save image below to access the application. Apply Online.
New Jersey Hospital Care Payment Assistance Program - The New Jersey Hospital Care Payment Assistance Program (Charity Care) is available to patients for inpatient and outpatient services at all acute care hospitals throughout New Jersey. 1-866-588-5696 (Monday through Friday, 9am - 5pm). Charity.Care@doh.nj.gov
Local / Ramsey / Charity Resources
Medicare Rights Center - A national, nonprofit consumer service organization that offers counseling, advocacy, and educational programs to help older adults and people with disabilities understand their Medicare rights and benefits. GET Free MEDICARE HELP. Call the National Helpline 800-333-4114.
Center for Medicare Advocacy - A national, non-profit law organization focused on advancing access to comprehensive Medicare coverage and quality health care for older people and people with disabilities through legal analysis, education, and advocacy.
Patience Advocate Foundation - Provides assistance to patients, including Medicare beneficiaries, with navigating their health insurance, including Medicare eligibility and coverage, and can even help with some out-of-pocket costs.
Patience Assistance Foundations - Charitable patient assistance foundations are independent, nonprofit organizations that provide financial assistance to patients living with life-threatening, chronic, and rare diseases for their out-of-pocket prescription medication costs. PAN Foundation. Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET, at 1-866-316-7263.
Bergen County Medicare Resources
SHIP Medicare Counseling: The Bergen County State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) provides free help to Medicare beneficiaries who have problems with or questions about their health insurance.
SHIP Medicare Counseling Program
Bergen County Division of Senior Services
ADRC One Bergen County Plaza, 2nd Floor
Hackensack, NJ 07601
201-336-7413
Help Managing Out-Of-Pocket Prescription Expenses
Medicare Prescription Payment Plan.
Medicare Prescription Payment Plan: The Medicare Prescription Payment Plan is a payment option that works with your current drug coverage to help you manage your out-of-pocket costs for drugs covered by your plan by spreading them across the calendar year (January–December).
Medicare drug plan or Medicare health plan with drug coverage (like a Medicare Advantage Plan with drug coverage) can use this payment option. All plans offer this payment option, and participation is voluntary.
If you select this payment option, each month you’ll continue to pay your plan premium (if you have one), and you’ll get a bill from your health or drug plan to pay for your prescription drugs (instead of paying the pharmacy). There’s no cost to participate in the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan.
Medicare Part D Extra Help or Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) Program: The Extra Help program helps people with limited income and resources lower or cut Part D costs. Medicare Part D provides drug coverage. The Extra Help program helps with the cost of your prescription drugs, like deductibles and copays. You can apply for Extra Help any time before or after you enroll in Part D.
To apply for LIS, patients can: - Apply for LIS
Call Social Security: (800) 772-1213–TTY: (800) 325-0778
Visit their local Social Security office - Find a local office
Save Money on Prescription Costs with Medicare's Extra Help Program (VIDEO)
Medicare Advantage Versus Medigap Coverage: People with Medicare can get their health coverage through Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan. (MA) plan. Learn the difference between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage Plans.
Senior Services
Find Senior Services Information
Federal Resources
Administration on Community Living - The Administration on Aging (ACL) promotes the well-being of older individuals by providing services and programs designed to help them live independently in their homes and communities.
Eldercare Locator (ACL) - A public service connecting you to services for older adults and their families.
Health Information for Older Adults (National Institute on Aging) - Health and wellness information for older adults from the National Institutes of Health.
LongTermCare.gov - At some point in our lives, about 60 percent of us will need assistance with things like getting dressed, driving to appointments, or making meals. Many people are not sure what is covered by insurance, and people are often misinformed about what is covered by Medicare. Long-Term Care.gov can help people learn how to plan.
National Institute on Aging - Includes a directory of resources and information on a variety of topics, including Alzheimer’s, caregiving, brain health, clinical trials, exercise and physical health, home health services, an eldercare locator tool, money management and more.
Local / Ramsey / Charity Resources
Ramsey Senior Services and Senior Shuttle - Ramsey Senior Center. / 75 E. Oak Street, Ramsey, NJ 07446. Phone: 201-825-1975 option #1
Charity Groups and Other Organizations
Meals on Wheels of North Jersey 201-358-0050 / info@mealsonwheelsnorthjersey.org
Apply for Meal Delivery - https://mealsonwheelsnorthjersey.org/meals/
VITA - The IRS's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs offer free basic tax return preparation to qualified individuals. Find a VITA site near you.
AARP Tax-Aide Location - AARP Foundation Tax-Aide provides tax assistance to anyone, free of charge, with a focus on taxpayers who are over 50 and have low to moderate income. You don't need to be an AARP member to use the service.
New Jersey Resources
NJ Division of Aging - Among other things, includes information on pharmaceutical and hearing aid assistance for low income seniors.
County Offices of Aging - An Area Agency on Aging (AAA) is designated in each of New Jersey's 21 counties to serve as the primary entity responsible for developing comprehensive, coordinated systems of community-based services for older adults. AAAs also serve as Aging & Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) lead agencies in their county, ensuring seniors, adults with disabilities and their caregivers have easy access to information and long term services and supports.
Phone: 201-336-7400
Bergen County Division of Senior Services
One Bergen County Plaza, 2nd Floor
Hackensack, NJ 07601-7076
Bergen County Resources
Bergen County Division of Senior Services
Resource for all County senior service programs, helpful information and guidance for federal/state programs, outreach, senior activity seniors, and many more resources.
HUD Reverse Mortgage Counseling
The DSS has been a HUD-Approved Housing Counseling Agency for over 25 years, with a focus on the government guaranteed Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) Program (aka reverse mortgage) for seniors aged 62 and over. Through mandated counseling which includes a Financial Assessment Protocol, the Division help seniors determine if the product is right for them.
Care Management, Aging and Disability Resources, Information and Assistance
Bergen County, Division of Senior Services/ADRC Information & Assistance/Care Management Unit serves as the County’s central source of information and services for older adults, caregivers, and those over the age of 18 with a disability. Under the guidelines of Bergen Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC), program helps older adults and their caregivers to access necessary services.
Ride Connect Program
Seniors can request transportation through this county program.
Nutrition - Meals on Wheels, Senior Lunch, Farmers Market Nutrition Program
NJ Ombudsman for the Institutionalized Elderly
Advocacy program focused on protecting the health, safety and welfare of older individuals in institutions.
Pension Rights Center
Organization dedicated to helping retired persons with their pensions.
Senior Activity Centers
Bergen County, Division of Senior Services administers 10 senior centers throughout Bergen County with a nutritional component at each center. In an effort to reduce isolation, increase socialization and recreation, physical activity, exercise, and education, the centers provide a variety of services and activities 5 days a week. Community transportation provides transportation to and from all the centers.
Seniors Helping Seniors
Provides community and support to seniors by other seniors.
SHIP Medicare Counseling
The Bergen County State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) provides free help to Medicare beneficiaries who have problems with, or questions about their health insurance.
Wellness Check Program
At approximate pre-specified hours, you will receive a free daily phone call from the Bergen County Wellness Check Program to check on your well-being.
More Resources Coming Soon…