Morris Seniors and Disabled: New Online, One-Step Application Process for State Benefits

Posted Wednesday, November 28th, 2018

ALLOWS MORRIS COUNTY’S OLDER AND DISABLED RESIDENTS TO EASILY APPLY FOR AND ACCESS STATE BENEFITS

Older Morris County residents and disabled residents are now just one click away from important benefits under the NJSave system that has been launched by the state Department of Human Services, and which is now available for residents in Morris County.

The goal of the new online application system is to make it easier for older residents with low-incomes and persons with disabilities to apply for benefits and possibly save on Medicare premiums, prescription costs, heating costs, and other living expenses.

Instructions and a step-by-step YouTube tutorial are available on the state Division of Aging Services’ website to help guide older residents and their family members.

NJSave allows residents to use a single online application to check eligibility for various assistance programs.

Included are Medicare Savings Programs, which help eligible individuals pay their Medicare premiums and copays; New Jersey’s Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled (PAAD), which helps save money on prescription drug costs; and the Lifeline Utility Assistance Program (see full list below).

Prior to this, individuals had to fill out a paper eligibility application for each program.

“NJSave will help older New Jerseyans and their families with a simpler way to check out the programs and services available to them,” said Carole Johnson, Commissioner of the Department of Human Services.

Freeholder Kathy DeFillippo

“We are proud to partner with the state on this new online program,’’ said Morris County Director of Human Services Jennifer Carpinteri. “All of our residents’ benefit applications now can be kept in one secure location on your computer to make it easier for you to find your information and update it when needed.’’

“We know new technology can be daunting. If you need help, we urge you to enlist a family member or caregiver to get you started. Once you get used to it, I think you will find the new system makes the benefits process much easier to navigate,’’ said Morris County Freeholder Kathy DeFillippo, the county governing board’s liaison on human and social services issues.

Under the new system, eligible residents now can fill out the application and submit supporting documents completely online.  Applicants also will be able to create an account and save the form so they do not have to complete the entire process in one sitting.

NJSave enrolls eligible applicants into the following programs:

• Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled (PAAD):
• Hearing Aid Assistance to the Aged and Disabled (HAAAD)
• Lifeline Utility Assistance
• Medicare Savings Programs
• Medicare Part D’s Low Income Subsidy (LIS, also known as “Extra Help”)
• Senior Gold Prescription Discount Program

The application also can be used to screen individuals for numerous savings and assistance programs:

• Universal Service Fund (USF)
• Low-Income Heating and Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

To qualify for the programs, an applicant has to be a resident of New Jersey, meet certain income requirements, and either be 65 years of age or older or between ages 18 and 64 and receiving Social Security disability benefits.

The paper version of the application will remain in use and is available by calling the state Division of Aging Services at 800-792-9745, the County Office on Aging at 973.285-6858, or local pharmacies.

An annual and beloved Morris County tradition, Holly Day returns for this upcoming holiday season.  Visit six local historical sites* decorated for the holidays, each site with special Holly Day programming: exhibits, music, refreshments and more.  One $30.00 ticket gains you access to all six sites.  Proceeds support local historic preservation.

Tickets will be sold online at Eventbrite.com and through the Morris County Tourism Bureau beginning November 1st.  Children 12 and under go free. On the day of the event, tickets may be purchase in person at:

Macculloch Hall
45 Macculloch Avenue
Morristown
beginning at 9:30 a.m.
info call:  973-631-5151

*Acorn Hall
Macculloch Hall
the Ford Mansion at Morristown National Historical Park
Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farm
Schuyler-Hamilton House
Museum of Early Trades & Crafts

Tickets online: Click here

Merrill Creek Reservoir added to salmon stocking program

by WRNJ Jay Edwards

– The Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of Fish and Wildlife is expanding its popular landlocked salmon stocking program to a fourth northern New Jersey lake – the Merrill Creek Reservoir, located in Warren County.

“We are extremely pleased to continue expanding this program as it grows in popularity. This stocking program creates a new and exciting way for people to enjoy the outdoors. Catching one of these beautiful and hard-fighting fish is surely the thrill of a lifetime,” Commissioner Catherine R. McCabe said.

This fall, the Division of Fish and Wildlife has stocked more than 2,500 salmon in the four lakes. The others are Lake Waywayanda and Lake Aeroflex in Sussex County and Tilcon Lake in Morris County.

Read More!

Tilcon Lake in Morris County

Tilcon Lake,  Allamuchy  Mountain State Park

Tilcon lake can be accessed by parking at the entrance on Kinney Road (named Kennedy Rd. in Google Maps, and which intersects Rt. 604 south of I-80). From the entrance it is a short walk (300 yards over level ground) to the lake.

Create a Victory Garden! – Learn More

Find a fun seed variety pack and have fun growing your own vegetables!

Morris County, NJ

Morris Police K-9s to Get On-Site Emergency Medical Care

Posted Friday, November 16th, 2018

First of its kind program will offer special care for front-line response dogs

Morris County has developed a first-of-its-kind program to offer medical support and care for the county’s front-line law enforcement K-9’s that work alongside the Sheriff’s Office response teams in critical situations.

The county will expand services now offered to human responders by a specialized group of tactical medics who make up the Office of Emergency Management’s Special Operations Group to include law enforcement dogs who respond with the Sheriff’s Bomb Squad, SERT/SWAT team, and Hazmat teams.

“We have our dogs going up against the same threats and critical issues that our officers face,’’ said Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon. “Why shouldn’t they receive the same level of medical care in the event that they become injured while performing their mission?”

“Our K-9 community is an integral part of the county’s police and first response family, out front in dealing with dangerous and difficult events,’’ said Freeholder Director Doug Cabana. “They deserve nothing less than the best care.’’

The Sheriff’s Office currently offers 24/7 veterinary care for its K-9 program. Sheriff Gannon and Office of Emergency Management Director Jeff Paul explained that the expanded service would offer K-9s advanced medical care at the scene of an incident and quick transport, if required, to an appropriate veterinary care facility.

OEM’s Special Operations Group Emergency Medical Services is a joint team comprised of members of the county OEM, Sheriff’s Office, and Prosecutor’s Office, plus Saint Clare’s Hospital and Atlantic Health Systems/Morristown Medical Center. This unique team provides medical support and care to members of the Morris County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Response Team, or SERT (aka SWAT).

They provide on-site basic and advanced life support during SERT/SWAT operations. That program now would be expanded to offer support for the county’s law enforcement K-9s.

“Now, for the first time, we will do the same service that we offer our human responders to our K-9 family in blue. We will treat them at the scene and transport them for follow up medical care. They deserve nothing less!’’ said OEM Director Jeff Paul.

Morris County Law and Public Safety Director Scott DiGiralomo credited the county Board of Freeholders with offering full support for the county’s OEM efforts, including the expanded treatment for the county’s canine force.

The announcement of an expanded level of care for law enforcement dogs was made today at the start of a K-9 Tactical Training Program conducted by Techline Technologies, Inc. and offered by the county OEM for officers and their dogs along with the OEM’s Special Operations Group at the Morris County Public Safety Training Academy in Parsippany.

K-9 teams from the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office, New Jersey State Police, and the United States Secret Service attended the course. Also participating were specialized response team members from UMDNJ, Morristown Medical Center, Saint Clare’s Health/EMS, the Morris Township Police Department, and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office.

K9 partners, leashed and muzzled, worked through portions of the program with their handlers during this intensive, two-day, 16-hour training course designed for law enforcement, military, or search and rescue-oriented canine handlers, tactical medics, or veterinary personnel supporting tactical canine programs.