Fixed Income in a World of Rising Prices
A series of references that may be of financial help to you.

The Pharmaceutical Assistance to the AGED AND Disabled (PAAD) program is a State program with the following eligibility requirements.

Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled (PAAD)

To be eligible for the NJ PAAD program you must meet the following requirements:

" NJ resident
" 65 years or older
" Annual income for 2008 of less the $23,092 if single or less than $28,313 if married. Income includes Social Security Benefits (Net), Medicare Part B Premium, Pension Benefits (Gross) Salary before Payroll Deductions, Unemployment Benefits, Interest and Dividends, Rental income, and all other income.

" PAAD beneficiaries are also required to enroll in a Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan. They will NOT have to pay premiums, deductibles, or any out-of-pocket costs beyond the regular PAAD $5.00 co-payment by enrolling in specific basic Medicare Part D plans. Medicare Advantage participants must add a prescription benefit to their coverage, and PAAD will contribute up to the regional benchmark amount towards the prescription portion of their total premium.

Call the toll-free Hotline for more information. 1-800-792-9745

Lifeline

" Lifeline consists of three programs:
o Lifeline Credit Program provides a $225 credit on electric and gas utility bills for eligible beneficiaries.
o Tenants Lifeline Assistance Program provides a $225 check to eligible tenants who have the cost of gas and electric utilities included in their rent.
o Special Utility Supplement provides a supplement of up to $18.75 a month to recipients of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in place of a Lifeline Utility credit or Tenants Lifeline Assistance payment.
" Must be a recipient of PAAD;
" Must meet the eligibility requirements for PAAD;
" Must be a recipient of Medical Assistance to the Aged (MAA);
" Must be a recipient of Medical Assistance Only (MAO); or
" Must be a recipient of the New Jersey Care.
" For additional information call toll free 1-800-792-9745.
Lifeline is a utility assistance program that offers $225 to persons who meet the PAAD eligibility requirements or who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI). This includes utility customers as well as tenants whose utility bills are included in their rent.
Only one tenant in a household is entitled to this assistance.
You are eligible for the Lifeline benefit if you are a recipient of Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled (PAAD). Persons applying for PAAD will also apply for their Lifeline benefit by answering the questions that pertain to the Lifeline programs. Persons who are beneficiaries of Medical Assistance to the Aged (MAA), Medical Assistance Only (MAO), or New Jersey Care, are sent Lifeline applications automatically every August.

Hearing Aid Assistance to the Aged
and Disabled (HAAAD)

You maybe eligible for HAAAD if you meet the following requirements:
" A New Jersey resident;
" 65 years of age or older or 18 years of age or older and receiving Social Security Title II Disability benefits; and
" Annual income for 2008 of less than $23,092 if single or less than $28,313 if married.

Help is also available from Manchester Senior Services 732-657-8121 x 1132

Motor Vehicle Registration Discount
Persons eligible for PAAD or the Lifeline program qualify for reduced charges for car registration. Based on the age and type of vehicle a credit is allowed against the total fee. A copy of your PAAD card or letter from Lifeline must be returned with your registration and your check. For more information call 1-888-486-3339.

Senior Dent Program
A 15% discount will be given to seniors with a PAAD card. Call 1-800-792-8820 for more information.

Communications Lifeline/Link-Up America

Communication Lifeline provides free Touch-tone Service and a credit toward the customer's monthly telephone bill.

Link-Up America provides a 50% discount on telephone connection charges and the customer is billed in 12 monthly payments for the remaining 50%.

You must be a recipient of Food Stamps, Home Energy Assistance, Supplemental Security Income, General Assistance, Lifeline Utility Credit or PAAD to be eligible.

Property Tax Deduction

A deduction of $250.00 is available to residents age 65 or older/or disabled who have owned their homes since October 1st of the previous tax year, lived in the state for 2 years and whose income does not exceed $10,000. Social security income is NOT included in the $10,000 requirement. Call your tax assessor's office for more information.

New Jersey Transit

Half fare is available for senior citizens, 62 years of age or older and disabled persons who purchase tickets on NJ transit trains and buses. You can use your Reduced Fare ID card or Medicare card. Call the Ocean county Office of senior Services for more information 732-929-2091

Amtrak
A discount of 15% is available for senior citizens and handicapped travelers. For additional information call 1-800-872-7245

Bridge Fees
A 50% discount book is available for the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, Walt Whitman Bridge, Betsy Ross Bridge or the Commodore Barry Bridge. Call 856-968-3348 for information

NJ Dental Association
NJ Dentists will provide comprehensive dental care at no cost to people of all ages who because of a serious disability, advanced age, or medical problems, lack adequate income to pay for dental care. Call 732 821 9400

Senior Eye Care Program
Local physicians who volunteer care to disadvantaged elderly persons, 65 and older, who have no regular physician. Call 1 800 222 3937

Manchester Township Senior Outreach

Shopping for the homebound, Meals on Wheels, State Health Insurance program, medical transportation and wheelchair lift transportation to doctors and dentists. Call 732 657 8121 Ext 1132

Information & Assistance - We provide you with information on several non-township services, such as; PAAD, Meals on Wheels, Nutrition Center, Social Security, Veterans Affairs, Adult Day Care, Homemaker Services, etc.

Medical Transportation - Transportation will be provided to medical and dental facilities located in the following towns: Brick, Silverton, Manchester, Lakehurst, Lakewood, Toms River, Whiting Priorities are given to the homebound and to persons who are unable to Drive. This service is available on a first-come, first-served basis

Assisted Transportation - Assistance is available to eligible senior residents who because of health problems cannot provide their own transportation to needed destinations. These may include banks, limited personal shopping, legal services and other necessary community facilities.
Assisted transportation is also available to visit relatives or close friends in Health Care facilities, which are located in Toms River, Lakewood, Whiting and Lakehurst. PRIORITY IS GIVEN TO MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION AND FOOD SHOPPING.

Food Shopping - Food shopping is available for senior residents who are homebound due to medical disabilities or physical restrictions.
Shopping is scheduled on alternate weeks. An Outreach worker will pick up your list, do the shopping and bring the items to you. For more information contact the Outreach office. ·

S.H.I.P. (State Health Insurance Program) - We provide a service where a certified counselor helps you find your way through the Medicare Health Insurance maze.

Parks
Residents of the State of NJ who are 62 years of age or older may apply for free admission to any state park at the state park entrance. (no holidays or weeken

Specified Low-Income Medicare
Beneficiary (SLMB) 2008
The Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) and SLMB Qualified Individual-1 (SLMB-QI-1) pay partial or full Medicare Part B premiums for eligible New Jersey residents who are not financially eligible for the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) program under New Jersey Medicaid (also known as New Jersey Care).
You are eligible for SLMB if you meet the following requirements:
" New Jersey resident;
" Not financially eligible for the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) program under New Jersey Medicaid;
" Annual income less than $12,480 for single applicants, $16,800 combined income for married applicants; and
" Liquid assets may not exceed $4,000 for single persons or $6,000 for married couples
You are eligible for SLMB-QI-1 if you meet the following requirements:
" New Jersey resident;
" Not financially eligible for the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) program under New Jersey Medicaid;
" Annual income less than $14,040 for single applicants, $18,900 combined income for married applicants; and
" Liquid assets may not exceed $4,000 for single persons or $6,000 for married couples.
For more information call toll free 1-800-792-9745

People who are aged, blind and disabled can qualify for different types of New Jersey Medicaid services.

New Jersey Medicaid

People who are aged 65 or over, and/or determined to be blind or disabled by either the Social Security Administration or by the Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services " meet the general requirements for New Jersey Medicaid
" are financially eligible are entitled to receive New Jersey Medicaid.
In determining whether a person is financially eligible, the applicant will be considered as a unit with his or her spouse or parents. For more information, call 1-800-356-1561.

Medically Needy Section of New Jersey Medicaid for the aged, blind or permanently disabled
This special program provides limited health coverage to aged, blind or disabled people who do not qualify for regular New Jersey Medicaid because their income or financial resources are too high. It includes a spend down provision that allows documented medical expense to be used to reduce monthly income to meet eligibility limits.
People who qualify for this Medically Needy section of New Jersey Medicaid are entitled to most Medicaid services except for inpatient hospital care and prescribed drugs. Long-term care services are covered.
For more information, call 1-800-356-1561

Institutional Medicaid (including long-term care) for the aged, blind and permanently disabled

Applicants for this program are considered on an individual basis and the eligibility process is complex. Once eligibility is established, full Medicaid coverage is provided. However, the individual's income must be applied to offset the cost of the institutional care. For purposes of this program, approved facilities include:
" acute care general hospitals
" nursing facilities
" intermediate care facilities for the developmentally disabled
" psychiatric hospitals for persons under 21 and 65 and over
For more information, call 1-800-356-1561 or contact your local Medical Assistance Customer Center.

Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary program

In some cases, low-income Medicare recipients may also qualify for New Jersey Medicaid, which will provide them with assistance in paying their monthly Medicare Part-B premium.
For information about the income eligibility
requirements of this program, call 1-800-792-9745.

The Universal Service Fund (USF)

USF is a program created by the NJ Board of Public Utilities to make energy bills more affordable for low-income customers. If you are eligible this program can lower the amount you have to pay for a gas and or electric bill. Applications can be filed anytime during the year. The USF will fund a fixed credit percentage of income payment plan under which participants will be required to pay no more than six percent of their annual income toward electric and gas bills. New Jersey electric and gas customers whose household income is equal to or less than 175 percent of the federal poverty level are eligible for the program.
1-866-240-1347 Gross income is income before taxes. The benefit will appear as a credit on your utility bill. www.state.nj.us/dca/dcr/

Household Size Monthly Gross Income
1 $1,489
2 $1,997
3 $2,504

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

This is a Federal program. Last year 180,000 households were helped by this program. LIHEAP is also offered during the summer months to help pay bills and energy related home repairs. You are eligible if your income is less than or equal to 175% of the Federal Poverty Level - see chart above.

LEAP benefits are normally paid once a year, during the heating season. Additional benefits may be available at other times during the year.

For this program you will need
Recent copies of your utility bills
Proof of current gross income
Proof of Social security income, pensions, disability, etc income
Termination notice if received from your utility company
Proof of present address
Proof of total members living in your household
Social Security cards
Proof of US citizenship

To be more information call the LIHEAP Hotline at 1-800-510-3102

You can also get applications for both programs by contacting the agency listed below:

Ocean, Inc.
Central Office
22 Hyers St., PO Box 1029
Toms River, NJ 08754 (732) 244-9041 Ext. 10, 11 and 16 (732) 244-3962
Monday - Friday
9:00AM - 4:30PM

New Jersey Comfort Partners - 1-888-773-8326

A residential low-income program provided by PSE&G, Jersey Central Power & Light, Atlantic City Electric (Conectiv), Rockland Electric Company, New Jersey Natural Gas, Elizabethtown Gas and South Jersey Gas through the Societal Benefits Charge created under New Jersey's restructuring legislation. Energy efficiency measures include: efficient lighting products, hot water conservation measures, refrigerator replacement, programmable thermostats, insulation upgrades, air sealing, duct sealing and repair, and heating/cooling equipment maintenance, repair and/or replacement. Energy education and counseling and arrearage forgiveness for participants who agree to payment plans are included. Eligibility: Income at or below 175 percent of federal poverty guidelines or customers who receive Lifeline, LIHEAP, TANF, SSI, and PAAD, General Welfare Assistance, and Section 8 Housing Assistance.
www.njcleanenergy.com/html/1residential/4_comfort_partners.html

Lifeline Assistance Program 1-800-792-9745

Funded from the New Jersey general fund, Lifeline provides a credit on electric or natural gas bills of $225 per year to disabled and senior homeowners and tenants. Beneficiaries of Medical Assistance to the Aged, Medical Assistance Only, or New Jersey Care, are sent Lifeline applications automatically every August. Supplemental Security Income recipients receive Lifeline automatically. Eligibility: must meet income eligibility guidelines and be 65 years or older or at least 18 years of age and receiving Social Security Disability benefits.

Telephone Assistance for Low Income Households

Lifeline is a government program that offers qualified low-income households a discount on their monthly local telephone bill. You can save up to $12.29 on your basic monthly bill. Total household income must be at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. To apply call NJ Shares at 888-337-3339. More information can be found on the Internet at http://www22.verizon.com/