Senior Information & Referral Service: 1-800-792-8820
NJEASE: 1-877-222-3737
The service is responsible for providing information on and promoting the use of state and federal programs for senior citizens via the department’s website, one-on-one telephone counseling with callers to two toll-free information lines, and through the development and distribution of relevant press releases, fact sheets, brochures and other materials.
Its original toll-free hotline, at 800-792-8820, has been in operation for more than 35 years as a general information and referral service for senior citizens and caregivers. Today it is also the primary in-state hotline for the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) and Adult Protective Services (APS). SHIP provides free, unbiased counseling for seniors regarding Medicare and other insurance issues, while APS protects vulnerable seniors against abuse, neglect and exploitation.
The unit also administers, and is the out-of-state and cell phone default service for, the NJEASE hotline at 877-222-3737. This number was established in the 1990’s and connects people calling from a landline within the state to their county office on aging where they can learn about and apply for a broad range of services.
In 2009, more than nearly 43,000 seniors and caregivers received information and assistance by calling 800-792-8820. Another 160,000 callers reached their county offices on aging, including 75,000 who used the NJEASE toll-free number.
In addition to calls, the unit also responded to more than 1,200 constituent letters and emails. |
