TRENTON – Governor Phil Murphy today joined New Jersey’s Age-Friendly Statewide Leadership Summit to highlight key investments that benefit New Jersey’s senior citizens in his Fiscal Year 2022 (FY2022) budget proposal.

The proposed FY2022 budget reaffirms Governor Murphy’s commitment to New Jersey’s seniors and ensuring access to health care by expanding the Pharmaceutical Assistance for the Aged and Disabled (PAAD) program to make prescription drugs more affordable. The Governor proposes increasing the income eligibility for PAAD and Senior Gold programs by $10,000, which will increase the number of seniors and others eligible by more than 20,000 residents. Additionally, after expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) from 35 to 40 percent of the federal credit, the Governor’s FY2022 budget proposes making senior citizens without dependents eligible for the EITC this year, effectively cutting taxes for seniors.

“The budget proposal I presented last week includes vital investments to help all New Jerseyans, including our seniors, emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic stronger, fairer, and more resilient,” said Governor Murphy. “Our critical investment in prescription drug relief, coupled with tax cuts, will provide immediate assistance for New Jersey’s seniors. Together, we are building a New Jersey where everyone, regardless of their age or where they live, can live a full and fulfilling life.”

“Governor Murphy’s budget plan highlights his commitment to New Jerseyans at every stage of life, including several key investments in programs that help older adults confront some of the most pressing challenges they face,” said Acting Human Services Commissioner Sarah Adelman. “From allowing more seniors to save money on prescriptions and premiums to allowing older adults who are working to take advantage of the Earned Income Tax Credit to making our communities more aging-friendly, accessible and inclusive, the Department of Human Services is committed to advancing the Governor’s exciting budget plans to improve the quality of life for older New Jerseyans.”

Governor Murphy also signed Executive Order No. 227 creating the Age-Friendly State Advisory Council, which will work to identify opportunities for creating livable communities for people of all ages in New Jersey, recommend best practices for age-friendly work, and promote community inclusion across the state.

The Council, which will be chaired by the Acting Commissioner of the Department of Human Services, will include representatives from the New Jersey Departments of Transportation, Community Affairs, and Health, in addition to representatives from local government, community stakeholder groups, the business sector, and the higher education community. Within 18 months of the effective date of the Order, the Department of Human Services will issue a blueprint of best practices for advancing age-friendly practices in transportation, housing, inclusivity, and community support and health services.

For a copy of Executive Order No. 227, please click here.