ARE YOU A SENIOR CITIZEN? You may be entitled to the following services and programs at age:
55 YEARS
EMPLOYMENT
- Senior Community Service Employment Program
- Paid on the job training
- Free job placement
- Classroom training
TAXES/TAX BENEFITS
When selling principal place of residence, up to $125,000 of capital gain is tax-free on federal and New Jersey income taxes. Property tax deduction of $250 for widow(er) of property owner.
VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS
Retired and Senior Volunteer Program: helping community agencies (Out-of-pocket expenses reimbursed)
60 YEARS
AREA AGENCY ON AGING
- Services Provided under Older Americans Act
- Congregate and Home-Delivered Meals
- In-Home services
- Transportation
- Legal Assistance
- Information and Referral Assistance
- NOTE: Income or other eligibility requirement
INCOME MAINTENANCE PROGRAMS
Partial Social Security/Railroad Retirement survivor benefits for widow(er).
For widow(er)s remarrying, retention of Social Security benefits.
OMBUDSMAN FOR THE INSTITUTIONALIZED ELDERLY
Protection of rights for people in certain health facilities and investigation of complaints of abuse.
PUBLIC GUARDIAN FOR ELDERLY ADULTS
Guardian or conservator of last resort for elderly adults with no willing or responsible family members or friends who can serve in those capacities.
RECREATION, LEISURE, ENTERTAINMENT
Through Area Agencies on Aging, participants of professional and nonprofessional artists and sculptors in New Jersey Senior Citizens Annual Juried Art Contest, and Exhibition.
TAXES/BENEFITS
Assistance with preparation of federal and New Jersey income tax returns by trained tax volunteers at neighborhood locations.
VICTIMS OF CRIME COMPENSATION BOARD (ACT)
For victims of crimes, there is no out-of-pocket loss required before seeking compensation with the courts.
VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS
- Foster Grandparents Program: helping children with disabilities (small weekly stipend).
- Senior Companion Program: assisting frail elderly (small cash allowance).
62 YEARS
EDUCATION
Rutgers University: low cost, tuition-free courses on space available basis.
HOUSING/HOUSING SERVICES
- Eligibility for low-cost senior housing, and for Congregate Housing Services Program.
- Residents of multiple dwellings, rent grace of five days; protection against condominium conversion.
- NOTE: Income or other eligibility requirement
INCOME MAINTENANCE PROGRAM
80% Social Security/Railroad Retirement benefits for retirees.
Social Security survivor benefits for parents of deceased workers.
RECREATION, LEISURE, ENTERTAINMENT
- Clam, Oyster Digging Licenses for $2.00 processing fee.
- Free Senior Citizen Pass to New Jersey historic sites, recreation areas.
- Golden Age Passport to national parks, forests, historic sites, recreation areas for a lifetime fee of $10.
TAXES/TAX BENEFITS
- Portion of pension exempted from New Jersey Gross Income Tax.
- Partial exemption of Realty Transfer Fee for homeowners selling home.
TRANSPORTATION
Reduced fare on all intrastate, and most interstate trains, buses.
65 YEARS
EDUCATION
Public colleges, tuition-free and reduced fee courses on space available basis.
COUNSELING ON HEALTH INSURANCE FOR MEDICARE ENROLLEES (C.H.I.M.E.)
Volunteer counselors assist Medicare enrolles of all ages with questions problems and claim forms related to Medicare, supplemental policies, and long-term care insurance.
HEALTH AND WELLNESS PROGRAMS
- Medicare and Medicaid
- Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled (PAAD) Program: prescription for medication at low cost.
- Hearing Aid Assistance to the Aged and Disabled (HAAD) Program: partial reimbursement of cost of hearing aide.
- Community Care Program for Elderly and Disabled. (CCPED) Program: health and support service if not receiving Medicaid.
- Personal Needs Allowance (monthly): for residents of long-term care facilities, boarding homes, residential health care facilities.
- Medically Needy Program: medical care and services if not eligible for Medicaid.
- New Jersey Care Program: a special Medicaid program for persons unable to afford needed health care. Assistance with Medicare premiums, deductibles and co-payments.
- Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB); provides payment of Medicare Part B premiums for SLMBs whose income is slightly higher then New Jersey Care income guidelines.
HOUSING/HOME ASSISTANCE
LIFELINE Credit Program, assistance with utility bills.
INCOME MAINTENANCE PROGRAMS
- 100% Social Security/Railroad Retirement benefits for retirees. Social Security benefits increase annually for each year benefits are not claimed.
- Supplemental Security income to aid persons with low-income.
- Veteran’s pension.
INSURANCE
On automobile insurance policies, at least 5% reduction in charges for personal injury protection and liability insurance.
NOTE: Income or other eligibility requirement
LEGAL SERVICES
For Medicaid-qualified applicants/patients, protection against discrimination by nursing homes, psychiatric institutions.
RECREATION
Hunting and fishing licenses at a reduced fee.
TAXES/TAX BENEFITS
- Increase in standard deduction on federal income tax.
- Tax credit for low-income elderly on Federal Income Tax
- $1,000 additional exemption on New Jersey Gross Income Tax.
- For homeowners, $250 Senior Citizen Property Tax Deduction.
70 YEARS
EMPLOYMENT
Freedom from being required to retire due to age.
No Social Security restrictions on amount of income received from employment.
RECREATION, LEISURE, ENTERTAINMENT
Senior Citizens 70 and over need only show a driver’s license or other acceptable proof of age to fish free of charge. No application fee or license will be issued
NOTE: Income or other eligibility requirement