Are you a New Jersey family caregiver helping a care recipient who needs nursing home-level care? The state's Jersey Assistance for Community Caregiving (JACC) program may be able to provide home—and community-based services to allow your care recipient to age at home instead of entering a long-term facility.
If you live in New Jersey, there's a program that will help you and your care recipient. It's called JACC, which stands for Jersey Assistance for Community Caregiving. This program offers services and support to aging individuals who meet specific qualifications.
JACC helps you and your loved one get to doctor's appointments, buy groceries, and even provide in-home care. It's an excellent resource for any caregiver needing extra support.
The program can help your loved one live independently at home instead of moving to a nursing home. This can be especially important if your loved one wants to remain autonomous and connected to their community.
The JACC program promotes self-sufficiency and self-direction for aging adults. JACC offers many services, including home health aides, meal delivery, transportation, and support with daily living, like cooking, bathing, dressing, and grooming. The program also gives respite care for family caregivers who want a break from their caregiving responsibilities.
JACC will provide the necessary support to help you care for your aging loved one at home. With the help of JACC, avoid the need for your loved one to enter a nursing facility. The program promotes consumer self-direction, meaning you can choose the services you need for your loved one. This way, you can be sure your loved one receives the care they need, and you can provide the careful attention your loved one deserves.
The main goal is to allow aging individuals requiring nursing facility-level care to avoid or delay institutional placement by providing home- and community-based services. JACC also aims to empower participants by enabling them to hire and direct their caregivers.
To be eligible for the JACC program, your loved one must be a resident of New Jersey and meet certain income and functional requirements.
To be qualified for this program, care recipients must meet specific criteria. They must be at least 60 years old and either a U.S. citizen or a qualified alien. Additionally, they must be residents of New Jersey and living in non-facility community settings. These requirements guarantee that the program is helping those most in need of assistance.
Care recipients must require a nursing facility level of care, meaning they need assistance with at least three activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, and mobility.
For 2024, the monthly income limit is $4,581 for singles and $6,217 for married couples. The asset limits are $40,000 for singles and $60,000 for couples. Applicants cannot be enrolled in other state programs like Medicaid.
The JACC program can be a valuable resource for family caregivers who want to support their loved ones to age in place and retain independence.
One popular benefit of the JACC program is the participant-employed provider (PEP) option. This allows JACC participants to hire caregivers, including family members, and direct their care services as desired.
Here are the main steps to apply for services through New Jersey's JACC program:
When applying for particular services or benefits in New Jersey, you may be required to submit additional documentation along with the application form. These documents may include proof of age, residency, citizenship/qualified alien status, income verification, and records of your assets. Providing correct and complete documentation guarantees your eligibility and expedites the application process.
To apply for aging and disability resources, care recipients need to submit their applications and relevant documentation to the Area Agency on Aging or Aging & Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) office that serves their county of residence. The office will review their eligibility and connect them with appropriate resources and services to help them with their needs.
JACC is an excellent program for family caregivers in New Jersey who need assistance caring for their aging loved ones. With the program's support, you can deliver the care your loved one deserves while avoiding needing them to enter a nursing facility. Contact your county's ADRC office today to learn more about the program and how to apply.
