IdentityTheft.Gov Federal Trade Commission

Posted on April 13, 2017 by jwatrel

IdentityTheft.gov: Federal Trade Commission

Is someone using your personal information to open new accounts, make purchases or get a tax refund? Report it at IdentityTheft.gov and get a personal recovery plan.

What to do right away:

Step 1: Call the companies where you know fraud occurred.

*Call the fraud department. Explain that someone stole your identity.

*Ask them to close or freeze the accounts. Then, no one can add new charges unless you agree.

*Change logins, passwords, and PINS for your account.

Step 2: Place a fraud alert and get your credit reports.

*To place a fraud alert, contact one of the three credit bureaus. That company must tell the other two.

Equifax.com/CreditReportAssistance

1-888-766-0008

Experian.com/fraudalert

1-888-397-3742

Transunion.com/fraud

1-800-680-7289

*A fraud alert is free. It will make it harder for someone to open new accounts in your name. You’ll get a letter from each credit bureau. It will confirm that they placed a fraud alert on your file.

*Get a copy of your free credit reports from Equifax, Experian and Transunion. Go to annualcreditreport.com or call 1-877-322-8228.

*Did you already order your free annual reports this year? If so, you can pay to get your report immediately. Or follow the instructions in the fraud alert confirmation letter from each credit bureau to get a free report. That might take longer.

*Review your reports. Make note of any account or transaction your don’t recognize. This will help your report the theft to the FTC and the police.

Step 3: Report identity theft to the FTC:

*Visit IdentityTheft.gov and click “Get Started” or call 1-877-438-4338. Include as many details as possible.

Based on the information you enter, IdentityTheft.gov will create your Identity Theft Affidavit and recovery plan.

If you create an account, we’ll walk your through each recovery step, update your plan as needed, track your progress and pre-fill forms and letters for you.

If you don’t create an account, you must print and save your Identity Theft Affidavit and recovery plan right away. Once you leave the page, you won’t be able to access or update them.

Step 4: File a report with your local police department.

*Go to your local office with:

*A copy of your FTC Identity Theft Affidavit

*A government-issued ID with a photo

*Proof of your address (mortgage statement, rental agreement or utilities bill)

*Any other proof you have of the theft (bills, IRS notices, etc.)

*The FTC’s Memo to Law Enforcement (Available at IdentityTheft.gov)

*Tell the police someone stole your identity and your need to file a report. If they are reluctant, show them the FTC’s Memo to Law Enforcement.

*Ask for a copy of the police report. You’ll need this to complete other steps.

*Create your Identity Theft Report by combining your FTC Identity Theft Affidavit with your police report.

*Your identity theft report proves to businesses that someone stole your identity. It also guarantees you certain rights. Go to IdentityTheft.gov for next steps.

*Your next step might be closing accounts opened in your name or reporting fraudulent charges to your credit card company. IdentityTheft.gov can help-no matter what your specific identity theft situation is.

*Disclaimer: This information is taken directly from the Federal Trade Commission’s IdentityTheft.gov pamphlet. I have never used this service before so I have no opinion, either yes or no that it works but I have called the credit companies before to check my credit scores. This is very important if you suspect your accounts have been compromised. Please call the credit companies if you need assistance on this and at the end of the year, you should get a complimentary report to check your scores and card reports each year. Go luck with this.

Posted in Behavioral Health and Psychiatry Services, Bergen County NJ Programs, Disaster and Terrorism Training Programs, Federal Caregiver programs, Fraud Programming, Health and Life Support Services, Legal Assistance Programs, Men's Programming, New Jersey Senior Programming, New York City Caregiver Programming, Programs Preventing Mind-Hacking, Scamming and Fraud Programming, Senior Caregiver Programs, Senior Services, Support Services for Seniors, Uncategorized, Woman's Programming | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program: A Guide for Tenants and Landlords. The Housing Authority of Bergen County.

Posted on April 2, 2017 by jwatrel

Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program: A Guide for Tenants and Landlords; The Housing Authority of Bergen County

One Bergen County Plaza, 2nd Floor

Hackensack, NJ  07601

Telephone: (201) 336-7600

Fax: (201) 336-7660

TDD: (201) 336-7669

What is Section 8?

The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program is a rental assistance subsidy program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) which reduces rental costs to eligible low-income households. The program presently includes more than 3,500 subsidized units throughout Bergen County with approximately 1,500 participating landlords.

Eligibility and Participation

Applications when available must be requested in writing by mail only from the main office of the Housing Authority of Bergen County (HABC) in Englewood. In order to be eligible for rental assistance, the total household income from all sources can not exceed the maximum income limit set by HUD for the household size. Income limits are usually adjusted annually.

Local preference is given to qualified applicants who reside or work in a member community of the HABC. Ranking preference is given to qualified applicants who are working or participating in an educational and/or vocational training program. Households who head, spouse or sole member is 62 or older or is unable to work because of a verifiable disability will automatically receive this ranking preference.

Many more persons apply for the program than the HABC is able to subsidize. Therefore, there are times when the acceptance of applications will be suspended. If you apply for assistance when the list is open and you are deemed eligible for the program, your application will be placed on our waiting list by the date and time it was received in the main office of the HABC in Englewood. It is important to keep in mind that the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program does not offer emergency or immediate assistance.

Once an application is accepted and deemed eligible, an acknowledgement letter will be sent which will prove the acceptance of the application. Applicants will be notified if they are ineligible for the program. Eligible applicants are reviewed when their names comes to the top of the waiting list. If funding is available at that time and they are again deemed eligible, a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher will be issued. The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher will be issued. The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher allows the family sixty (60) days to locate suitable housing and submit a Request for Tenancy Approval form. Additional time may be granted depending on circumstances and the amount of effort the voucher holder has made in their apartment search.

Although vouchers do not have established maximum rents, monthly rental amounts must be affordable for the family and their share can not exceed 40% of their adjusted monthly income. The amount of the subsidy is based on an established payment standard. The determination of the family’s share of the rent and the HABC’s Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is a two step process. When the Housing Choice Voucher is issued, the family is advised of the minimum amount that they are expected to contribute toward the rent and the maximum subsidy that the HABC will pay. The family has the option of selecting a unit with a rent that is more or less than the established payment standard. The final calculation of the family’s share of the rent and the HAP payment amount can not be completed until the family has selected a unit.

Finding/Leasing an Apartment

Once a family has been issued a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher by the HABC, the family may search the private rental market for a suitable unit, subject to the voucher program regulations regarding residency. The housing unit must be decent, safe and sanitary according to Housing Quality Standards (HQS) established by HUD and the HABC. When a suitable unit is found and the Request for Tenancy Approval is returned to the HABC, the HABC will inspect the empty unit to assure that it meets HQS prior to occupancy. After the unit passes the HQS inspection and the rental amount has been approved, the landlord and tenant enter into a lease agreement. The HABC and the landlord sign a HAP contract which permits the HABC to pay a portion of the rent on behalf of the family directly to the landlord. The family will be responsible for the difference between the total rent and the Housing Assistance Payment.

Once the initial lease agreement expires, it may be renewed for a specified time period, (ie month-to-month etc). The family may terminate the lease agreement and vacate the unit provided proper notice is given to the landlord and the HABC. If the family remains in the unit, the family must be re-certified as required for continued eligibility and the unit must be re-inspected for HQS. At that time the landlord may request an annual rent increase adjustment. This request must be submitted in writing to the HABC and to the tenant sixty (60) days prior to lease renewal. All requests must comply with rent reasonableness guidelines.

Moving Out of the HABC Jursdiciton

The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher is designed to allow participating families to move without the loss of rental assistance. Moves are permissible as long as the family is in compliance with HUD regulations governing portability.

Benefits of Participation

The tenant is confident that the apartment they will live in meets HQS and is affordable.

The landlord is assured of the Housing Authority’s monthly payment as well as allowing for annual adjustments, as appropriate. The program also allows the landlord to continue to  have control over their property including tenant selection.

Landlord Responsibilities: Landlords are required to:

*Use the same screening methods for the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher prospective tenants that they would use for others tenants, ie,. conducting credit checks, landlord references, criminal background reviews etc. Landlords are prohibited from refusing to rent to a person so long as the source of that person’s income is lawful.

* Maintain their property in good condition and complete repairs within a reasonable amount of time in accordance with HQS. The amount of time that is considered reasonable depends upon the nature of the repair.

*Set Reasonable rules and regulations regarding the use of the unit and the common areas.

*Collect appropriate security deposits in compliance with New Jersey state law.

*Take appropriate legal action if the tenant violates the lease agreement.

*Comply with the terms and conditions of the lease agreement and the HAP Contract.

Tenant Responsibilities:  Tenants are required to:

*Pay their portion of the rent on time.

*Comply with the terms and conditions of the lease agreement.

*Refrain from engaging in any illegal activity.

*Avoid damage to the property.

*Insure that only those listed on the lease agreement reside in the unit.

*Immediately report changes in family size and income.

The Housing Authority of Bergen County Responsibilities:

In order to administer the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program the HABC enters into a contractual relationship with HUD, the owner and the family. The role and responsibilities of HUD, the HABC, the owner and the family are defined in the Federal regulations and in the legal documents that the parties execute prior to participation in the program. The HABC’s responsibilities in administering the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program include but are not limited to establishing local policies complying with Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity requirements, HUD regulations, the HABC’s administrative plan and applicable Federal, State and local laws.

Staff Assistance:

In the interest of operating the program as smoothly and efficiently as possible, the HABC employs trained personnel to assist prospective tenants throughout the application process. Staff is available to explain the program requirements to interested landlords. Landlords may list their available units with the HABC and from time to time, the HABC may be able to provide referrals for those units. Participants, both tenants and landlords, are encouraged to contact our office at any time for questions or the need for further information regarding the program.

Member Communities:

Listed below are member communities throughout Bergen County who have Cooperative Agreements with the Housing Authority of Bergen County.

Applicants who reside in a member community receive local preference on our Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waiting list.

Bergenfield

Bogota

Carlstadt

Closter

Cresskill

Demarest

Dumont

East Rutherford

Elmwood Park

Emerson

Englewood Cliffs

Fair Lawn

Fairview

Glen Rock

Hackensack

Hasbrouck Heights

Haworth

Hillside

Leonia

Little Ferry

Lyndhurst

Mahwah

Maywood

Montvale

Moonachie

New Milford

North Arlington

Northvale

Norwood

Oakland

Oradell

Old Tappan

Palisade Park

Paramus

Park Ridge

Ramsey

Ridgefield

Ridgefield Park

Ridgewood

River Edge

River Vale

Rochelle Park

Rutherford

Saddle Brook

South Hackensack

Teaneck

Tenafly

Wallington

Washington Township

Westwood

Wood Ridge

*Equal Housing Opportunity

*Disclaimer: This information is taken from the Housing Authority of Bergen County. I have never used the service so I have no opinion of it, whether yes or no, to the service. Please call the above number for more details.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted in Bergen County NJ Programs, Federal Caregiver programs, Health and Life Support Services, Home Care Programs, Home Improvement & Care Programs, Homeless Service Programs, Housing Programs, Legal Assistance Programs, Men's Programming, Senior Caregiver Programs, Senior Financial Planning, Senior Services, Social Security Programs, Support Services for Seniors, Uncategorized, Woman's Programming | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

EZ Ride: Ryde4Life Program: Senior Transportation with Uber/Lyft (Update)

Posted on March 31, 2017 by jwatrel

EZ Ride: Ryde4Life Program: Senior Transportation with Uber/Lyft: About us.

EZ Ride is a non-profit public-private partnership that strives to improve the quality of life for people in New Jersey by providing transportation services for commuters, older adults and people reduced mobility.

In addition to our Ryde4Life Program that is designed to service seniors, we manage the state’s largest carpool and vanpool program and operate shuttle services for businesses, municipalities and universities. We provide more than 500,000 shuttle rides a year in the state’s most densely populated counties.

In 2013, we were recognized for excellence in serving the needs of people in our community and names the Urban Community Transportation System of the Year by the Community Transportation Association of America. To learn more about what we can do for you or your company, visit http://www.ezride.org.

For more information:

Call Monday-Friday: 8:00am-5:00pm

EZ Ride

144 Park Place East

Wood-Ridge, NJ 07075

Telephone: (866) 208-1307 ext. 4

Email: Ryde4Life@ezride.org

http://www.ezride.org

Ryde4Life Program:

EZ Ride offers transportation for seniors in partnership with Transportation Network Companies (TNC) like Uber and Lyft, which allows us to help more seniors with rides that can be requested in real time or scheduled in advance. The program offers rides to individuals over 60 years old throughout New Jersey and is offered all working days from 8:00am-5:00pm.

Here’s what you pay:

A credit or debit card (Visa or MasterCard) is required to open an account.

  1. Non-Refundable Membership Fee: $15.00 per year.
  2. Administrative Fee: $1.00 per ride (may be waived for eligible seniors).
  3. Ride charges will be per Uber/Lyft rates applicable at the time any ride is provided. Applicable taxes, if any, shall be added as required by law.
  4. Subsidy: Subject to available of funds, which will be confirmed on a quarterly basis. EZ Ride will offer the following discounts to eligible riders:

*Reduction of $1.00/ride may be offered to seniors who provide a copy of theirs valid PAAD Card (Pharmaceutical Assistance for Aged and Disabled) issued by NJ Department of Human Services.

*Administrative fee of $1.00/ride may be waived.

*Subsidies are limited to a total of eight (8) rides per month except rides for dialysis.

5. Payment Terms and Conditions:

*All fees and charges are collected in advance from the credit/debit card by charging $100 to start the account; additional $100 will be debited as and when the account balance drops to $25.

*Fees and charges paid are final and nonrefundable.

Reservations:

Advance reservations are NOT required.

Please contact our Ride Coordinators between 8:00am to 5:00pm (M-F) to schedule your ride.

(866) 208-1307 Extension 4

Additional Guidelines:

*EZ Ride places your request for the ride on Uber/Lyft websites. You can place this request directly on their website without joining this programs.

*The rides are provided by drivers who are “Third Party Providers’ of Uber/Lyft.

*EZ Ride and Uber/Lyft do not provide transportation services, nor function as a transportation  carrier.

*The Drivers are screened and selected by Uber/Lyft per their own criteria. EZ Ride is not responsible for screening or selection of drivers.

*EZ Ride Coordinators will assist the riders to check the price of the ride on Uber/Lyft platform, confirm availability and pricing before placing the request for the ride.

*Typically, the request for a Ride is accepted instantaneously by the Driver. The information about the vehicle (license plate and type of car) along with the name of the driver will be texted to your mobile phone by Uber/Lyft.

*If you are unable to receive the vehicle and driver information directly from Uber/Lyft, our Ride Coordinator will call you to facilitate the ride.

*You may elect to cancel your request for services at any time prior to the driver’s arrival, in which case you may be charged a cancellation fee by Uber/Lyft and an administration fee by EZ Ride.

*Gratuities are voluntary. You are free to provide additional payment as a gratuity to any driver who provides the ride. However, you are under no obligation to do so.

*Rider is responsible for the cost of any repair for damage to or necessary cleaning of , Driver/Third Party Provider’s vehicle and property resulting from your use of the Services in excess of normal “wear and tear” damages and necessary cleaning (Repair or Cleaning).

*For full details of terms and conditions, see Ryde4Life Registration and Agreement Form.

*Disclaimer: this is an update from the earlier entry of the information on EZ Ride and this information is taken directly from their new pamphlet that has been distributed through the county. Please call EZ Ride for more details on the new program. I have no opinion of the service, yes or no, of the service as I have never used it before. Please remember that all Uber/Lyft drivers are independent contractors.

 

Posted in Men's Programming, New Jersey Senior Programming, Senior Caregiver Programs, Senior Services, Senior Transportation Programming, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

CRC: Community Resource Council: Helpline

Posted on March 31, 2017 by jwatrel

CRC Community Resource Council: CRC Helpline Service

Call: (201) 343-6543

9:00am-5:00pm Monday-Friday in English and Spanish

The CRC Helpline Service is a free and confidential Information and Referral Service. Our Professional trained staff is trained to help you determine what service you need and will put you in contact with the agency that can assist you.

Let us help you find the agency that will assist you with:

Mental Health: Includes Counseling, Hotlines, Bereavement, Depression, Eating Disorders, Phobias/Anxieties, Gambling, Socialization, Gambling, Support Groups and Stress.

Health: Includes Dental Services, Nutrition, Clinics, Blood Banks, Hospice, Diseases, Sleep Disorders, Smoking Cessation, Therapy, Organ Donors, Hospice, Genetics and Hospitals.

Legal: Includes Child Support, Tenant-Landlord, Crime, Taxes, Subsidized Legal Service, Civil Liberties, Immigration, Discrimination and Denied Benefits.

Family: Includes Parenting, Parent/Child Conflict, Childbirth, Divorce Mediation and Family Planning.

Older Adults: Includes Recreation, Activity Centers, Day Care, Home Health, Transportation, Friendly Visitor, Volunteerism and Nursing Homes

Food/Clothing: Home Meals, Emergency, Food Pantries, Coop Programs, Donations and Food Stamps.

Employment: Includes Job Banks, Unemployment, Entrepreneurs, Worker’s Comp and Displaced Homemaker.

Education: Includes Colleges, Adult Education, Gifted Programs, Financial Aid, Literacy, Tutoring, GED/ESL and Vocational/Technical.

Women: Includes Pregnancy, Domestic Violence, Advocacy and Sexual Harassment.

Child/Youth: Early Interventions, Teen Programs, Hyperactive Child, Day care, Early Intervention, Summer Camps, Learning Disabled, Teens Parents and Recreation.

Disabled: Includes Housing, Equipment, Employment, Independent Living Skills, Home Care and Veteran’s Services.

Financials: Includes Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security, Funeral Expenses, Homestead Rebate, Utility Bills, Pharmaceutical, Rental Assistance, Disability Insurance and Credit Counseling.

Remember…Help is only a call away!

*Disclaimer: This information is taken from the CRC Helpline Service pamphlet. I have not used the service and have no opinion yes or no on the service. Please call the service for more details.

Posted in AARP Programming, Behavioral Health and Psychiatry Services, Bergen County NJ Programs, Dental issues, Depression Programming, Diabetes Programming, Disability Programming, Drug and Alcohol Abuse Programs, Drug Assistance Programming, Employment Programming, Food and Nutrition Programming, Fraud Programming, Gambling Abusive Programming, Health and Life Support Services, Hearing Programs, High Blood Pressure programming, HIV Programming, Home Care Programs, Housing Programs, Medicare/Medicaid Programming, Men's Programming, Migraine/Headache issues, Nasal issues for seniors, New Jersey Senior Programming, New Jersey Senior Transportation Programming, New Jersey State Program, Obesity Programs, Paid Sick Leave, Prescription Drug Programs, Relationship Programming, Scamming and Fraud Programming, Senior Caregiver Programs, Senior Disability Programming, Senior Driving Programs, Senior Financial Planning, Senior Rehabilitation Programming, Senior Saving Programs, Senior Services, Stroke Programming, Support Services for Seniors, Uncategorized, Woman's Programming | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs: March 17,2017 Fraud Alert

Posted on March 28, 2017 by jwatrel

To all the readers of this blog: I wanted to let you know of recent scams put out by the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs. It is tax season so it is big scam time for people trying to cheat you. This is a posting from our local library.

Alert: Don’t Fall for the Area Code Scam: The “area code” scam is making a comeback, according to a March 15th article on APP. The scam is simple: You may get a phone call from a strange area code. A message might be left or it may be a hang-up call. Curiosity gets the best of you and you call the number back. Then you get socked with a bill for call an international number sometimes up to $20 for the first minute. Experts quoted in the article warned against dialing the number back without recognizing where it came from. If you’re curious, look up the area code on Google, an expert advised. If you see the code is from a foreign country, chances are that it’s a scam.

Alert: IRS Warns of Tax Scams Making the Rounds: A March 2nd article on NJ.com details 12 different scams that the Internal Revenue Services is warning taxpayers to avoid. Those scams include phishing scams, in which taxpayers receive an email, purportedly from the IRS, providing a link to a website that when opened allows a program to be installed on the recipient’s computer. That program can then mine for personal data and financial information., which can be used in identity theft schemes. Similar scam use text messaging or phone call to threaten consumers with arrest if they do not provide personal information. The IRS says it will never demand personal information in such a manner and urges taxpayers to double check all email and phone claims with the IRS office.

Contact the office if you suspect FRAUD: NJ Division of Consumer Affairs

1-800-242-5846

FightingFraud.NJ.gov

*Disclaimer: this information was taken from a recent flyer from the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs that is in the Bergen County Libraries and I thought it was something that everyone should know. During tax time, scammers are running rapid and you will get all sorts of phone calls and emails. Please be careful as they have called my house as well so no one is safe. Always double check with your accountant if all else fails.

Posted in AARP Programming, Bergen County NJ Programs, Disability Programming, Employment Programming, Fraud Programming, Homeless Service Programs, Legal Assistance Programs, Medicare/Medicaid Programming, Men's Programming, New Jersey Senior Programming, Relationship Programming, Senior Caregiver Programs, Senior Disability Programming, Senior Services, Support Services for Seniors, Uncategorized, Woman's Programming | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Age Friendly: Ridgewood

Posted on March 25, 2017 by jwatrel

Age Friendly: Ridgewood

Age Friendly Ridgewood is an interesting program that the Village of Ridgewood, NJ has that is being adopted by many towns in New Jersey. The program is where the seniors in the community 55 years old and older were polled on what their needs are and how the town can help meet those needs. It is a constantly evolving program and I attended a showing of the movie “Jackie” the other night that was part of the program through AARP and thought it was something to share with the internet community.

Ridgewood-A great place to Grow Up and Grow Old. A Community for All Ages.

Our Mission:

To bring older adults into the conversation as our community plans for the future. To enrich the community through addressing physical spaces, mobility and healthy lifestyle. To create opportunities for volunteerism and social and civic engagement.

Age Friendly Ridgewood is a collaborative team of grant-funded part-time staff and volunteers whose goal is to promote awareness of the needs of adults 55 and over when designing projects that will ultimately improve the Ridgewood community. Our priorities include housing diversity, pedestrian safety, transportation options, leveraging the expertise of the older population, developing intergenerational neighborhood connections, increasing communication of resources and events and collaborating with the business community.

Age Friendly Ridgewood

(201) 632-1554

agefriendlyridgewood@gmail.com

http://www.agefriendlyridgewood.org

Check out our website to learn more about Age Friendly Ridgewood and the resources available for older adults.

Posted in Bergen County NJ Programs, Health and Life Support Services, Home Improvement & Care Programs, Legal Assistance Programs, Medicare/Medicaid Programming, Men's Programming, New Jersey Senior Programming, Senior Caregiver Programs, Senior Disability Programming, Senior Services, Social Security Programs, Uncategorized, Woman's Programming | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

New Jersey Assistance for Community Caregiving (JACC)

Posted on March 16, 2017 by jwatrel

Program Description:

New Jersey Assistance for Community Caregiving or JACC for short is a non-Medicaid program that provides a variety of care services and supports to elderly residents that require assistance with their activities of daily living and are at-risk for nursing home placement. Services are provided to program participants in their homes, in the homes of caregivers or in adult day care centers.

Under JACC, family member can be paid to provide caregiving services to their loved ones.

JACC offers program participants the option to choose their own service providers for several approved services. To avoid confusion, it should be mentioned that this model of care delivery is referred to by a variety of names including participant direction, consumer direction, cash and counseling, participant employed provider and client employed provider. For services such as attendant care, chores and transportation assistance, nearly anyone can be hired to provide assistance including family members and friends so long as they meet the program’s requirements. Unlike in many states, in NJ, spouses and the adult children of aging parents are included in the list of relatives that can be paid.

The JACC program also covers minor home modifications to improve home access or safety. Examples of this are wheelchair ramps or walk in tub replacements for dangerous showers. NJ seniors are eligible for free estimates for bathroom safety modifications such as walk in tubs.

Eligibility Guidelines:

In addition to being New Jersey residents and at least 60 years of age, there are also financial and functionality requirements to be eligible for this program.

Functional: person must need ‘nursing home level care’. However, they must live at home, in a rental property or with family members. They can not live in a residential care facility such as adult foster care, assisted living or a nursing home.

Financial: the income limit is 365% of the Federal Poverty Level. For a single, unmarried applicant in 2016, this is $3613.50/month and $4872.75/month. Assets or countable resources (which do not include the value of a home), must be less than $40,000 for an individual or $60,000 for a couple.

Income and assets can not be so low that the applicant is also eligible for Medicaid or a Medicaid HCBS Waiver (approximately $2,199/month in income and $2,000 in assets). Individuals in this situation will qualify for the Medicaid Managed Long Term Services and Supports (MLTSS) (/Medicaid-waiver/nj-mltss.html) instead which provides similar services.

Benefits and Services:

A broad array of services and supports are available in the JACC Program. For some individuals, services are provided free of charge. Others will be required to make a co-payment. Rest assured that any co-payments will be well below that market rate for care services in NJ. Co-payments are based on a sliding scale on the participant’s income. The total value of the services provided to a single applicant can not exceed $7200 in one year or $600/month.

Participants and their caregivers can receive any of the following:

*Adult day care and adult day health care

*Caregiving training

*Chore services such as yard work and light home maintenance.

*Durable medical equipment and supplies

*Home modifications to improve accessibility

*Home-delivered meal service

*Homemaker services such as laundry and housecleaning

*Personal care

*Personal emergency response service

*Respite care for the participant’s primary caregiver

*Transportation assistance for medical appointments

How to apply/Learn More:

To apply, call 877-222-3737 or contact your local Area Agency on Aging or Aging and Disability Resource Center. A list of locations is available here (/longtermcare/find_aging_agencies_adrc_aaa.html?state=NJ)

One can download a PDF brochure about the program here (http://www.nj.gov/humanservices/news/publications/jacc)

*Disclaimer: all of this information was taken off the New Jersey Assistance for Community Caregiving (JACC) website and the website contains more information on things like Costs od Senior Care, Types of Senior Care, Payment of Senior Care, Resource Locater Tool, Compare Benefits & Care, Helping Pay for Care, Help Planning for Care, Find Affordable Senior Care, Lower your cost of Care and Cost Saving Technologies. I have not used the service so I have no opinion of yes or no to the service but please look on the website or call for more information and let this be a step by step guide on what to do next for your loved one. Please check out your opinions.

 

Posted in Bergen County NJ Programs, Disability Programming, Health and Life Support Services, Home Care Programs, Men's Programming, New Jersey Senior Programming, New Jersey State Program, Senior Caregiver Programs, Senior Disability Programming, Senior Services, Support Services for Seniors, Uncategorized, Woman's Programming | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

NJ Shares: Keeping the lines of Communication open for you & your family: Verizon New Jersey Communications Lifeline

Posted on March 16, 2017 by jwatrel

NJ Shares: Keeping the lines of communication open for you & your family: Verizon New Jersey Communications Lifeline.

Who is eligible for Communications Lifeline:

It’s quick and easy to sign up for Verizon NJ’s Communication Lifeline program and Link Up America.

You must be a Verizon residential phone customer to apply for these programs. If you need residential phone service, contact Verizon NJ first at 1-800-837-4966. You are eligible if you participate in any of these programs:

*Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

*General Assistance (GA)

*Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

*Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)

*Lifeline Utility Credit/Tenants Lifeline Assistance

*Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled (PAAD)

*Temporary Assistance to Needy Families/Work First New Jersey (TANF/WFNJ)

*Medicaid

or

If you are age 65 or over and are not participating in one of the above programs and your annual income is at or below 150% of the federal poverty income level (Federal poverty guidelines are issued each year in the Federal Register by the US Department of Health and Human Services). Check you income eligibility by calling 1-888-337-3339. Call NJ Shares at 1-888-337-3339 for eligibility and enrollment.

What are the benefits of Link Up America & Communications Lifeline?

Through Link Up America, new, eligible customers receive a 50% discount on their initial residential phone connection charge. The remaining fees can be paid in 12 months.

Under the Communications Lifeline program, Verizon NJ residential telephone customers may be eligible to receive free or discounted local telephone service. Communications Lifeline program participants can receive:

*Discounted flat rate residential phone service including touch-tone service.

*Additional optional features such as caller ID or three-way calling.

How do you apply?

All you need to do is call NJ SHARES at 1-888-337-3339 or log onto http://www.njshares.org.

Communication Lifeline:

NJ SHARES Inc. is a statewide, non-profit 501c3 organization that provides assistance to individuals and families living in New Jersey who are in need of temporary help in paying their communications and energy bills.

For more information about NJ SHARES, Communications Lifeline and Link Up America, call or visit us online at: http://www.njshares.org or 1-888-337-3339.

NJ SHARES/Verizon

*Disclaimer: I have not used the service so I do not have an opinion of the service, whether it is good or bad but please call the above number or email them for more information, This information was taken off the pamphlet from Verizon/NJ SHARES and more information is online.

Posted in Bergen County NJ Programs, Corporate Programming for the public, Health and Life Support Services, Home Care Programs, Home Improvement & Care Programs, LineLine Protection, Men's Programming, New Jersey Senior Programming, New Jersey State Program, Senior Caregiver Programs, Senior Services, Support Services for Seniors, Uncategorized, Woman's Programming | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Game plan for your health: What’s your game plan for Orthopaedic Health?

Posted on March 16, 2017 by jwatrel

Hackensack UMC: The Game Plan for your health-What’s your game plan for Orthopaedic Health?

Let New Jersey’s #1 orthopedic services program keep you in the game.

Keeping your bones healthy is important no matter what game you choose to play. What you need is a GAMEPLAN.

The Orthopaedic Institute at HackensackUMC wants to share its GAMEPLAN for Orthopaedic Health-ten simple steps that will help you take charge of your health and stay in the game.

As the Healthgrades #1 Hospital in New Jersey for Orthopaedic Services and nationally ranked by in orthopaedics by US News & World Report, the Orthopaedic Institute is pushing medicine further than ever before.

To find out how the Orthopaedic Institute at HackensackUMC will help you get back in the game, visit HackensackUMC.org/ortho.

Game Plan for Orthopaedic Health:

  1. Your best offense is a good defense:  unavoidable risk factors affecting bone health include age, gender, race and family history. There’s nothing you can do to change them but knowing their influence can help you plan a good defense.
  2. Know the signs and signals: if you have concerns, speak with you physician about the signs and symptoms of osteoporosis, arthritis or other conditions that affect bone/joint health.
  3. Know you opponent: using tobacco or drinking soda decrease your body’s  ability to absorb calcium and may contribute to weak bones.
  4. Talk to your coach: your doctor will know if you are at risk and can recommend different exercises, medications and/or lifestyle modifications to reduce that danger.
  5. Fuel for performance: strong bones are less injury-prone. However as we age our bones lose strength and mass becoming thinner and more brittle. Follow a calcium-rich diet to maintain bone mass and decrease your risk of fractures. Make sure to get enough Vitamin D.
  6. Maintain a balanced training regimen: your exercise regimen should include exercises that increase flexibility and balance, which are key to fall prevention.
  7. Pump Iron: weight bearing exercises such as walking can help minimize bone loss and prevent fractures. Get clearance from your physician before starting any exercise program.
  8. Wear Protective Gear: make sure to wear the proper protective gear when exercising to help prevent injury.
  9. Stay off the disabled list: know your limits.
  10. Maintain good pre and post game practices: proper warm-up and cool-down routines are important for athletes at any level.

*Disclaimer: this information is taken off a pamphlet from Hackensack University Health Network. I have never used this information before and I have no opinion on the results. Please call the above number or email them for more information.

Posted in Bergen County NJ Programs, Cancer Programming, Disability Programming, Health and Life Support Services, Home Care Programs, Men's Programming, New Jersey Senior Programming, Senior Caregiver Programs, Senior Services, Support Services for Seniors, Uncategorized, Woman's Programming | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Game Plan for your health: What’s you game plan for a healthy prostate?

Posted on March 16, 2017 by jwatrel

Hackensack UMC Urology: Game Plan for your health: What’s your game plan for a healthy prostate?

Did you that one in six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime? Prostate cancer is not only a serious disease but is also a leading cause of cancer death in men.

The good news? There is no question that testing can help find many prostate cancers early but you should talk to your doctor about whether or not you should be tested. He or she will help you develop a plan that best meets your personalized needs.

Prostate cancer is diagnosed through a variety of tests, including a digital rectal exam (DRE) or a PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test. According to the American Urological Association, “…when interpreted appropriately, the PSA test provides important information in the diagnosis, pre-treatment staging or risk assessment and monitoring of prostate cancer patients. But not all prostate cancers are life-threatening. The decision to proceed to active treatment or use surveillance for a patient’s prostate cancer is on that men should discuss in detail with their urologists”.

Visit HackensackUMC.org or to find a physician, please call (855) 996-WELL (9355).

To learn more about our GAMEPLAN for prostate Health, visit HackensackUMC.org/Prostate.

The Game Plan for a Healthy Prostate:

  1. Know the Fundamentals: The prostate is a gland involved with make sexual function and urination. It is the size of a walnut and is located directly under the bladder, in front of the rectum.
  2. Know the Stats: One in six men in the United States will develop prostate cancer during their lifetime.
  3. Know the Score: It is very important to have a regular prostate check with your doctor to make sure there are no abnormal lumps or bumps, possibility indicating the first sign of prostate cancer. In addition, a PSA blood test may detect the presence of prostate cancer. An increase in PSA levels may also be caused by an enlarged or inflamed prostate.
  4. Know the Opponent: There are 3 major health problems associated with the prostate:

*Prostate enlargement-benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)

*Prostatitis-inflammation of the prostate.

*Prostate cancer

5. Know your team history: Men with a history of prostate cancer in their family are at higher risk of developing for prostate cancer themselves. Prostate cancer is very rare in men younger than 40 but the chance of having prostate cancer rises rapidly after age 50. In addition, race plays a role in prostate cancer with some men having a higher risk of prostate cancer.

6. Fuel for Performance: Evidence suggests that choosing a healthy diet, low in fat and full of fruits and vegetables, may reduce your risk of prostate cancer.

7. Stay in peak form: Men with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or higher are considered obese. Being obese increases your risk or prostate cancer.

8. Prepare a training regimen: Studies of exercise and prostate cancer risk have mostly shown that men who exercise may have a reduced risk of prostate cancer.

9. Talk to your coach: Some men have an increased risk of prostate cancer. For men with a higher risk of prostate cancer. For men with a higher risk of prostate cancer, there may be other options for risk reduction. If you think you might have a higher risk of prostate cancer discuss it with your doctor.

*Disclaimer: This information was taken from the Hackensack University Health Network pamphlet. Please email the website or call the number as mentioned above. I have never used the service so I have no opinion of the service. Please call them for more information.

 

 

Posted in Cancer Programming, Disability Programming, Health and Life Support Services, Men's Programming, Senior Caregiver Programs, Senior Disability Programming, Senior Rehabilitation Programming, Senior Services, Support Services for Seniors, Uncategorized, Woman's Programming | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment