Cape May County Department of Aging & Disability Services Offers Programs to Help Older and Disabled Adults

The Cape May County Department of Aging and Disability Services is proud to provide help to older adults and disabled individuals. One of the programs, SHIP – State Health Insurance Assistance Program – is designed to assist Medicare beneficiaries in making educated decisions about Medicare, Medigap, Medicare Advantage Plans and Medicare Prescription Plans (Part D). SHIP staff is trained to provide objective, confidential, one-on-one help to Medicare beneficiaries who have questions or problems with their health insurance choices, claims and appeals. In addition, SHIP counselors provide information and assistance for beneficiaries with limited income and resources in applying for special benefit programs. 
Pharmaceutical Assistance for the Aged and Disabled (PAAD) and Senior Gold Programs are both special benefit programs. PAAD and Senior Gold are income eligible programs; both of these programs do not consider resources or savings. These programs strictly focus on income, not assets. To be eligible for the PAAD program, a single individual’s income in 2017 cannot exceed $26,655 gross per year and a married couple’s income cannot exceed $32,680 per year. The PAAD program may assist with paying one’s Medicare Part D premium, and if one is eligible for PAAD; one will not pay more than $5 per covered generic or $7 per covered brand name medication. The Senior Gold program is a discount program that may also help to reduce one’s Medicare Part D out-of-pocket costs. The income limits for the Senior Gold program is $26,655 to $36,655 gross income per year for a single individual and $32,680 to $42,680 gross income per married couple. Further information on PAAD and Senior Gold programs is located at the Cape May County Department of Aging and Disability Services, 4005 Rt. 9 S., Rio Grande, where SHIP counselors are available to assist with applying for these programs.
It is worth it to take the time to look into whether or not you may qualify for a special benefit program, because these programs may help to save money on premiums and prescription drug costs. Call your local SHIP counselor at (609) 886-8138 for assistance with applying for a special benefit program. Counseling is free of charge. No appointment is necessary on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Call to schedule Tuesday appointments with one of our counselors. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) is a statewide program administered by the New Jersey Department of Human Services-Division of Aging Services, with major funding from the U.S. Department of Health Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and supported by the Cape May County Board of Chosen Freeholders.