Help for family caregivers in NJ: respite, leave and support
New Jersey helps pay for breaks, adult day care and paid leave for people caring for an older relative. Here is who qualifies, what it covers and how to apply.
If you drive your mother to dialysis, manage your father's pills or sleep with one ear open for your spouse, you are a family caregiver. You may never have used that word. New Jersey has programs built for you anyway.
This guide covers the state's main respite programs, adult day care, paid family leave and support groups. It also lists the warning signs that you need a break soon.
What is respite care, and why does it matter?
Respite means someone else takes over for a while so you can rest. It might be a home health aide for a few afternoons a week, a day program, or a short stay in a licensed facility while you travel or recover from your own surgery.
Caregivers who take regular breaks tend to keep going longer. That often helps the person they care for stay at home longer, too. Think of respite as part of the care plan.
Who qualifies for the Statewide Respite Care Program?
The Statewide Respite Care Program (SRCP) is overseen by the NJ Division of Aging Services and operates in every county. It helps unpaid caregivers of adults with chronic disabilities. Eligibility is based on the person receiving care.
| Requirement (2026) | Single | Couple |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly gross income of the care recipient | Up to $2,982 | Up to $5,964 |
| Liquid assets | Up to $40,000 | Up to $60,000 |
| Age | 18 or older, living in the community in New Jersey | |
| Cost share | Sliding scale from 0% to 25% of service costs | |
Depending on the caregiver's assessed needs and available funding, SRCP can pay for:
- Companions and homemaker or home health aides
- Private duty nursing
- Social adult day care and adult day health services
- Short inpatient stays in a licensed facility
- Camp programs and a caregiver-directed option
How to apply: Call the Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) at 1-877-222-3737. You will be routed to the respite program in the county where your loved one lives.
Questions to ask when you call
- How long is the wait for an assessment, and is there a waiting list for services?
- Which agencies or adult day centers near us take part in the program?
- How many hours of help could we expect each month?
- Can I choose a relative or friend to provide care under the caregiver-directed option?
- How is our share of the cost figured, and how will we be billed?
Have the care recipient's income, savings and insurance information handy before you call. It speeds up screening.
What is JACC, and how is it different?
Jersey Assistance for Community Caregiving (JACC) helps people who need a lot of care but have too much income or savings for Medicaid. It is aimed at older adults who might otherwise need to move to a nursing home.
| Requirement (2026) | Single | Couple |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 60 or older | |
| Care need | Meets nursing facility level of care | |
| Countable monthly income | Under $4,855 | Under $6,582 |
| Resources | Under $40,000 | Under $60,000 |
JACC services can include care management, respite, home modifications, medical equipment and supplies, chore help, a personal emergency response system, home delivered meals, adult day programs, attendant care and transportation. There is a monthly limit on what JACC will spend, and many participants pay a share based on income. Ask your county office for the current figures.
People enrolled in Medicaid's Managed Long Term Services and Supports (MLTSS) cannot also use JACC. MLTSS has its own respite benefit. See our guide to Medicaid and MLTSS.
How to apply: Contact your county Area Agency on Aging through the ADRC at 1-877-222-3737. A care manager will do an assessment at home.
Is adult day care a good fit?
Adult day programs give a caregiver regular, predictable time off on weekdays. The person you care for gets meals, activities and company. Many programs offer transportation.
Social adult day vs. adult day health
- Social adult day care focuses on activities, meals and supervision. It suits people who are fairly healthy but should not be alone all day.
- Adult day health services (sometimes called medical day) add nursing, medication management and therapies. NJ FamilyCare (Medicaid) members should ask their plan whether a center near them is covered.
Help for families living with dementia
The Alzheimer's Adult Day Services Program (AADSP) helps pay for adult day care for people with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia who live with an unpaid caregiver. The Division of Aging Services' 2026 program chart lists gross income limits of $50,256 a year for a single person and $58,632 for a couple, with resources under $40,000 (single) or $60,000 (couple). It covers up to five days a week, with a sliding scale cost share. Ask the ADRC to confirm current limits.
Before you choose a center
- Visit twice, once announced and once drop-in, around lunchtime.
- Ask about staff to participant ratios and dementia training.
- Ask how they handle toileting, falls and wandering.
- Check pickup times and whether their van serves your town.
Can I get paid leave to care for a parent?
Yes, if you work in New Jersey. Family Leave Insurance (FLI) pays you while you care for a family member with a serious health condition. It is funded through payroll deductions, so most NJ workers are already covered.
| Family Leave Insurance (2026) | Details |
|---|---|
| Weekly benefit | 85% of your average weekly wage, up to $1,119 |
| Continuous leave | Up to 12 weeks in a 12-month period |
| Intermittent leave | Up to 56 separate days in a 12-month period |
| Earnings to qualify | 20 weeks earning at least $310 a week, or $15,500 total in your base year |
"Family" is defined broadly. It includes parents, parents-in-law, spouses, domestic partners, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, children of any age, other blood relatives and people you consider family.
How to apply
- Tell your employer. Give 30 days' notice for continuous leave, or 15 days before each separate period of intermittent leave. Short notice can reduce your benefit.
- Start the claim online. Go to the state's My Leave Benefits site. You can start up to 60 days before leave begins. If you apply after leave starts, you have 30 days.
- Get the medical part done. Give your Online Form ID to your family member's doctor. It is your job to make sure the office submits its section.
- Ask questions. The Division of Temporary Disability and Family Leave Insurance answers calls at 609-292-7060, weekdays 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Will my job be protected?
FLI replaces wages. Job protection comes from separate laws. As of July 17, 2026, the New Jersey Family Leave Act covers employers with 15 or more employees. Workers qualify after 3 months on the job and 250 hours worked in the past year. It provides up to 12 weeks of job-protected leave in a 24-month period. The federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) also applies at employers with 50 or more employees nearby.
New Jersey's Earned Sick Leave law helps too. Most workers earn 1 hour of sick time for every 30 hours worked, up to 40 hours a year, and can use it to care for a family member.
Where can I find a support group?
Talking with people who understand can make a hard week bearable. Many groups now meet by phone or video, which helps if you cannot leave home.
- Alzheimer's Association. Free 24/7 helpline at 1-800-272-3900. The New Jersey chapter runs caregiver and early-stage support groups and free monthly education programs.
- Alzheimer's New Jersey. Call 1-888-280-6055.
- Care2Caregivers. A peer support line at Rutgers, staffed by people who have cared for a loved one with dementia. Call 1-800-424-2494, weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Well Spouse Association. For people caring for a husband, wife or partner. Call 1-800-838-0879.
- Family Caregiver Alliance. National education and support. Call 1-800-445-8106.
- Your county office on aging and local hospitals. Many host caregiver groups and classes. Ask the ADRC what meets near you.
If loneliness is part of the strain, our guide to staying connected in NJ has more ideas.
What are the signs of caregiver burnout?
Burnout creeps up. The Cleveland Clinic lists these common signs:
- Feeling drained, emotionally and physically
- Pulling away from friends and family
- Losing interest in things you used to enjoy
- Feeling hopeless or powerless
- Changes in appetite, weight or sleep
- Trouble concentrating
- Getting sick more often
- Irritability, frustration or anger
If several of these sound familiar, treat it as a signal to act. Call the ADRC about respite this week. Tell your own doctor what you are carrying. Ask one relative or friend for one specific, regular task, such as Tuesday dinner or Saturday visits.
If you feel overwhelmed or have thoughts of harming yourself, call or text 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, any time of day.
New to all of this? Our guide to talking with a parent about getting help covers the first steps.
Common questions
Does the Statewide Respite Care Program look at my income or my parent's?
It looks at the income and assets of the person receiving care (and their spouse). In 2026 the limit is $2,982 a month in gross income for a single person and $5,964 for a couple, with liquid assets up to $40,000 or $60,000.
How much does NJ Family Leave Insurance pay in 2026?
It pays 85% of your average weekly wage, up to a maximum of $1,119 a week, for up to 12 weeks of continuous leave or 56 separate days in a 12-month period.
Can I use Family Leave Insurance to care for my mother-in-law?
Yes. Parents-in-law are covered, along with parents, grandparents, siblings, spouses, domestic partners and others you consider family.
Can someone use both JACC and Medicaid MLTSS?
No. JACC is for people who are not enrolled in MLTSS. MLTSS members get respite and similar services through their Medicaid plan.
Where do I apply for respite or JACC?
Call the Aging and Disability Resource Connection at 1-877-222-3737. You will be connected to the county where the person receiving care lives.
- NJ Division of Aging Services: Statewide Respite Care Program
- NJ Division of Aging Services: Programs side by side (2026)
- NJ Division of Aging Services: Jersey Assistance for Community Caregiving (JACC)
- NJ Department of Labor: Family Leave Insurance
- NJ Department of Labor: Contact the Division of TDI and FLI
- NJ Department of Labor: Job protection information
- NJ Department of Labor: Earned Sick Leave, what employees need to know
- NJ Human Services: Resources for family caregivers
- Alzheimer's Association, New Jersey
- Cleveland Clinic: Caregiver burnout
- NJ 211: Care2Caregivers listing
This guide is for general information. Program rules and income limits change, so confirm with the official source before you apply.
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