Social Services

New, national program to get seniors rides to vaccination sites via Lyft.

NCOA is partnering with Lyft to provide access to reliable, affordable transportation to older adults who need a ride to get their COVID-19 vaccine. Lyft has provided ride codes with a value of up to $25 each to travel to and from COVID-19 vaccination appointments for both the first and second doses. This effort is part of Lyft’s Universal Vaccine Access campaign, which is mobilizing a coalition of partners to provide access to rides to and from vaccination sites across the country. 

How to use the NCOA-Lyft vaccine ride codes

The Lyft promo codes we’re offering can be used for a roundtrip ride for each dose of the COVID vaccine. Each code below covers up to $50 per round trip ($25 to the vaccine appointment, and $25 back home). There are no location restrictions, and the vaccine ride codes are valid through December 31, 2021.

• Dose 1 Code (to and from their appointment): SENIORVAX1
• Dose 2 Code (to and from their appointment): SENIORVAX2

Learn more about how to set up an account and request a ride.

All older adults who use the Lyft codes will be required to follow Lyft’s Health Safety policies, which include staying home if they are sick, wearing a mask, keeping the car and their hands clean, sitting in the back seat, and keeping the car windows open when possible. To help ensure you are well equipped to help your older adult clients, NCOA is hosting a free informational webinar about this offer on Monday, May 24 at 2pm EST to walk through the details. Get the log-in details here.

Applications will be accepted by mail/ postmarked or in person at the address below between the dates of May 20th to May 26th, 2021. Click here to download the documentation.

The Union County Board of Commissioners, the Village Super Market of Springfield Township, New Jersey, CMC, and Gargiulo Produce are providing a drive through food distribution event to all Union County residents affected by COVID-19 on Saturday, May 22nd. Click here or text “FindFood” for English, or text “Comida” for Spanish to 908 224 7776 to find helpful information quickly.

• When – Saturday, May 22nd @ 8am.
• Where – Union County Vocational Technical School – 1776 Raritan Road, Scotch Plains, NJ 07076 in the school parking lot.

Event Details

• First 1,000 vehicles will receive boxes of produce and shelf-stable food on a first come first served basis.
• One food distribution per vehicle, while supplies last.
• Please make sure to clear out the vehicle’s trunk prior to arrival to make room for food bags.
• Refrigerate any perishable items shortly after distribution.
• Bring one (1) proof of NJ residency, such as a utility bill, driver’s license, ID card, etc.
• Event will take place rain or shine.
• Click here to view and/or download the original event flyer in English and Spanish.
• With any questions, or for more information, please email the DHS Action Line or call them at 908 558 2288.

Hold The Date!

• What: This tag sale is huge, and unlike any other, with over 1,000 high quality and unique items.
• When: Friday June 18th from 10am – 3pm and Saturday June 19th from 9am – 2pm.
• Where: 24 Commerce Street, Springfield, NJ 07081
• For the informational flyer about this event, please click here.

Apply for New Jersey’s assistance programs today.

The ban on shutting off power to households that fall behind on utility payments, or fail to make payments, put in place by the Governor in early in 2020 is expiring at the end of June. Those in arrears will lose power (gas, electric) and/or water. See attached flyers (in English and Spanish) for energy assistance programs that can help. The NJ Board of Public Utilities (BPU) is asking for assistance in publicizing these programs, especially during Utility Assistance Week, May 17-21, 2021. Click here for more information.

NJ TRANSIT offers no-cost tickets for rides to and from vaccine appointments.

Please click here to view and/or download the PDF for more information.