The Mercer County Department of Human Services cannot attest to the accuracy of information provided by the following links. Linking to these sites does not constitute an endorsement by the Department of Human Services or any of its employees of the sponsors or information and products presented on the following sites or at the following phone numbers.  

Benefits

NJSave
The New Jersey Department of Human Services’ 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. NJSave allows individuals to use one online application to check their eligibility for savings and assistance programs.

Social Security Administration
The United States Social Security Administration (SSA) is an independent agency of the U.S. federal government that administers Social Security, a social insurance program consisting of retirement, disability, and survivors' benefits. You can call its toll-free telephone number, 800-772-1213, to receive Social Security services. Its TTY number is 800-325-0778. Automated services are available 24 hours a day, and Social Security representatives are available to speak with from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Friday. All calls are confidential. 

Emergency Preparedness

Register Ready
“Register Ready – New Jersey’s Special Needs Registry for Disasters” allows New Jersey residents with disabilities or access and functional needs and their families, friends, caregivers and associates an opportunity to provide information to emergency response agencies so emergency responders can better plan to serve them in a disaster or other emergency. The State of New Jersey, Office of Emergency Management, provides brochures on Register Ready in multiple languages.

Insurance

NJ Family Care
NJ FamilyCare is New Jersey's publicly funded health insurance program that includes Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Medicaid, and Medicaid expansion populations. Qualified New Jersey residents of any age may be eligible for free or low-cost health insurance that covers doctor visits, prescriptions, vision, dental care, mental health and substance use services, and hospitalization. To reach NJ FamilyCare, visit its website or call 800-701-0710 (TTY 800-701-0720).

State Health Insurance 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. To contact the counseling site in Mercer County, call 800-792-8820.

Support

Adult Protective Services
Adult Protective Services (APS) programs have been established in each county in New Jersey to receive and investigate reports of suspected abuse, neglect, and exploitation of vulnerable adults living in a community setting.

Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) of New Jersey
The Aging & Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) of NJ provides information and assistance to older adults, adults with physical disabilities, caregivers, and professionals looking for services or programs. Its toll-free number is 877-222-3737.

National Center on Elder Abuse
The National Center on Elder Abuse provides the latest information regarding research, training, best practices, news and resources on elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation to professionals and the public. Among other services, the center provides training and awareness materials to further the field for those interested in elder abuse identification and prevention, including this Signs of Elder Abuse flyer.

The National Center on Elder Abuse also can connect you with the microsite for World Elder Abuse Day, where you can find tools and documents you can use to get started on raising awareness of elder abuse, including these flyers: Protect Our Communities From Scams and The Grandparent Scam. 

The National Center on Elder Abuse's toll-free number is 855-500-3537 (ELDR). Please do not report cases of suspected elder abuse to the National Center on Elder Abuse. If the situation is serious, threatening, or dangerous, call 911 or the local police for immediate help.

New Jersey Division of Aging Services
The State of New Jersey Division of Aging Services administers federal and State-funded programs that make it easier for older adults to live in the community as long as possible with independence, dignity, and choice.

New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired
The State of New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired promotes and provides services in education, employment, independent living, and eye health through informed choice and partnership with those who are blind or vision impaired, their families, and the community.

New Jersey Division of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
The State of New Jersey Division of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing provides education, advocacy, and direct services to eliminate barriers and promote increased accessibility to programs, services, and information routinely available to the state’s general population.

New Jersey Division of Developmental Disabilities
The State of New Jersey Division of Developmental Disabilities provides public funding for services and that assist New Jersey adults age 21 or older with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live as independently as possible.

New Jersey Division of Disability Services
The State of New Jersey Division of Disability Services provides a single point of entry for those seeking disability-related information in New Jersey. The Division publishes a resource guide every year that provides access to information about programs and services available to residents living and working with disabilities, as well as families, advocates, and professional communities working to assist people with disabilities.

New Jersey Office of the Long Term Care Ombudsman
The New Jersey Office of the Long Term Care Ombudsman (NJLTCO) is part of a national resident-focused, person-centered advocacy program and is an independent advocate for older individuals receiving long-term care. Representatives of the office work with individual residents to help them address challenges they face. In addition, the New Jersey Office of the Long Term Care Ombudsman seeks opportunities to bring about change on local, state, and federal levels and by advocating for policy and legislative initiatives and participating in activities that support its core mission to advance the rights, the dignity, and the self determination of elderly individuals living in long-term care. 

Progressive Center for Independent Living
Progressive Center for Independent Living offers referral and information services, emergency preparedness training, transition services for students, community opportunities, and independent life skills training. Its toll free number is 877-917-4500; its TTY line is 609-581-4550.

Although these above are outside agencies and are not under the purview of the County of Mercer, you can contact the Mercer County Aging & Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) with any questions about the Mercer County Aging & Disability Resource Connection, Office on Aging, and/or Office for the Disabled at 609-989-6661 or adrc@mercercounty.org.

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