Camden County Reduces Eligibility For Senior Snow Shoveling Service Due To High Demand

CAMDEN COUNTY, NJ — Camden County's free snow-shoveling service for seniors will now be limited to residents with urgent medical needs, officials said Tuesday.

The county program offered snow removal for residents who are 65 and older or physically disabled.

Due to a surge in demand from the recent snowstorm, the county has added new eligibility requirements. The program will be limited to elderly and disabled residents with medical needs that require leaving home or having someone come to their home, such as dialysis or chemotherapy.

"It is imperative for us to reach the most vulnerable, and the way the program is set up currently will not allow us to do that," said County Public Safety Director Vincent Jackson.

Jackson reiterated that the service is meant for residents who have exhausted all other options for snow removal, such as asking a neighbor or family member for help.

Crews will shovel the sidewalk and accessibility ramps in front of the home. They do not shovel driveways, salt walkways or remove snow from vehicles.

Here are the eligibility requirements (*denotes newly added requirements):

• must be at least age 65 and/or physically disabled
  
• must have a specified medical condition that requires leaving home*
• must have a specified medical condition that necessitates a walkway be shoveled*
• must be the homeowner
• must be a Camden County resident
• must not live with anyone who is under 65 or physically able to shovel
• must have exhausted other options for snow removal

Commercial properties, rental properties and HOAs are not eligible.

The program takes effect after each snowfall of at least 4 inches. Eligible residents can call the Senior Snow Removal Hotline in the 24 hours after each qualifying storm.

To be added to the list, call 856-783-4808 ext. 5035 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Calls to other extensions won't be answered, and neither will emails.

Residents must call in the 24-hour timeframe after each snowstorm. Requests don't carry over from one storm to the next, and you can't request service ahead of the storm.

When leaving a voicemail during unstaffed hours, include your full name, home address, age, and a call-back number. You will receive a call-back during staffed hours to confirm eligibility, officials said.

Once the snow has stopped, crews will shovel during the hours of 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Snow removal is based on location, not the order that calls are received. There is no guaranteed timeframe for when crews will arrive at each home. It could take several days, and crews might not be able to aid every home, officials said.