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Free personalized senior living guidance for families
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New Jersey · Everything here is free · Reviewed July 2026
If you or someone you love is getting older in New Jersey and paid assisted living or nursing care is simply out of reach, please take a breath. You are not out of options, and you are not alone. The state, your county office on aging, and trusted nonprofits offer a whole network of help built for exactly this situation.
Not sure where to start? Call for free1-877-222-3737Your front door to aging help. This statewide line connects you to your county office on aging and the services near you.
Many families never make the call because they assume they won't qualify, or they dread the forms and the fear of being told no. Don't let that stop you. The people who answer these phones help folks in your shoes every day, and they're patient about it. These programs are funded by your tax dollars — using them is precisely what they're for.
This page pulls New Jersey's most useful resources into one plain-language place. Read it all or jump to what you need. When you're ready, start with the three numbers below.
Tap what fits. You'll jump straight to the right help — no reading through the rest.
Still not sure? Just make the call above — they'll help you figure it out. One call is a great start.
Start here for most families
Most people would rather stay in their own home than move to a facility, and NJ FamilyCare can help through Managed Long Term Services and Supports (MLTSS).
Call the ADRC or your County Board of Social Services and ask about MLTSS and Medicaid long-term care.
In New Jersey, Medicaid is called NJ FamilyCare. It covers doctor visits, hospital care, prescriptions, behavioral health, and — important for seniors — long-term care, including nursing facilities and home-based services.
Who qualifies? It depends on your income, assets, and care needs. New Jersey expanded Medicaid, so many adults qualify on income alone, and there are separate rules for seniors and for long-term care. The exact income and asset limits change every year, so please don't rule yourself out based on a number you heard. Call and let them check for you — it's free.
Apply online through NJ FamilyCare (search “NJ FamilyCare apply”) or by phone.
County Board of Social Services
Apply here for long-term care and MLTSS specifically — your county board handles those applications.
Good news for New Jersey: PACE is available, and the state has expanded it to serve all 21 counties. In New Jersey, PACE programs are often branded LIFE (Living Independently for Elders). PACE bundles all your medical care, prescriptions, and in-home support into one program so you can keep living at home instead of moving to a nursing facility.
Call to check availability and eligibility, visit the NJ Division of Aging Services PACE page, or search npaonline.org/find-a-pace-program for a national PACE finder.
If you're on Medicare
If you have Medicare and a limited income, you may be overpaying. Several programs help:
New Jersey's single application that screens you for Medicare Savings Programs, plus state programs like PAAD and Senior Gold (prescription help) and Lifeline (utility help).
Apply for the prescription drug subsidy through Social Security.
An NJ SHIP counselor can check which programs you qualify for — free.
Medicare confuses almost everyone. New Jersey's free counseling program — SHIP, the State Health Insurance Assistance Program — is run through the Division of Aging Services. Counselors help for free and never sell anything.
They can help you understand Medicare Parts A, B, C, and D, compare drug and Advantage plans at open enrollment, sort out bills and denials, and find programs that lower your costs.
Reach NJ SHIP through the Division of Aging Services for free, unbiased Medicare help.
Find your local SHIP counselor anywhere in the U.S. through the national locator.
Everyday essentials
SNAP / NJ SNAP (food stamps)
Apply online or through your County Board of Social Services. Dial 211 for help applying — many seniors qualify without realizing it.
Your county office on aging offers home-delivered meals and senior dining sites.
Community FoodBank of New Jersey & local pantries
Free groceries near you. Dial 211 to find a food bank or pantry.
If housing costs are overwhelming, these can help:
Dial 211 for local rent, utility, and housing assistance.
Public Housing and Section 8
Your local housing authority offers reduced-rent options for low-income seniors.
Help with heating and cooling bills — apply through DCAAP or call 211; Lifeline utility help is part of NJ Save.
Can point you to senior housing options in your area.
Guidance & protection
In New Jersey, each county has an Area Agency on Aging / County Office on Aging, which also serves as your local Aging & Disability Resource Connection (ADRC). They connect you to senior meals, transportation, caregiver support, in-home help, and guidance from people who know your community.
One call connects you to the office that serves your county.
A national alternative if you need help finding your local county office.
Free civil legal help for people with low incomes across the state.
If you suspect an older adult is being abused, neglected, or exploited, dial 211 or call your county APS office to be connected.
If you or a loved one lives in a nursing home or assisted-living facility and something isn't right — poor care, lost dignity, unfair treatment — the Long-Term Care Ombudsman is a free, confidential advocate who works for the resident.
A free, confidential advocate for residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
Dial 211 for help with almost any need: food, housing, utilities, transportation, and more.
A free national service that connects older adults and caregivers to local services anywhere in the U.S.
Call the ADRC at 1-877-222-3737. Describe your situation and ask what help you may qualify for. This one call opens the most doors.
Call for free1-877-222-3737NJ FamilyCare is New Jersey's Medicaid program — free or low-cost health coverage for people with limited income. For seniors, it's the main way to pay for long-term care, both at home (through MLTSS) and in facilities.
Generally, no. Medicare covers medical care and only short skilled-nursing stays after a hospital visit. For ongoing long-term care, Medicaid (NJ FamilyCare) is the program that helps — so it's worth checking your eligibility.
Yes. These programs are built for people on fixed and limited incomes. Social Security counts as income, but many seniors on Social Security still qualify. Don't assume you make “too much” — call and let them check.
Very possibly. Medicare Savings Programs can cover your Part B premium (about $185/month) and sometimes more. The easiest way to apply is NJ Save at 1-800-792-9745, or ask SHIP at 1-800-792-8820.
That's what MLTSS and PACE/LIFE are for — both emphasize keeping you at home. Call the ADRC at 1-877-222-3737 to ask. Start early, since eligibility involves a review.
Yes, for free. Call the ADRC at 1-877-222-3737 or dial 211, explain your situation, and let them guide you. That's exactly what they do.
Reaching out for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. These programs exist because New Jersey believes older people deserve care and dignity no matter their income. Make one call today and take it one step at a time. You've got help.
Program details, income limits, and contact information can change. The agencies linked above can confirm the most current specifics for your situation. This page is for general information and isn't legal or financial advice.
Last reviewed: July 2026. Program details, income limits, and contact information can change — the linked agencies confirm the most current specifics.