What Benefits and Assistance Can Seniors Receive in New York?

As we age, the costs of living a healthy and happy life increase. Paying for medical bills, medication costs, and access to preventative care are just a few examples of what older adults may face. Friendsfamilyhomecare tells you what benefit programs are available to New York State retirees.

The New York City Department of Health, Department of Human Services, and similar agencies provide financial assistance programs. the elderly people who meet certain requirements.

These programs are designed to help you maintain a good quality of life as you age. They provide access to the health care you need.

The benefits will help seniors cover the costs of food, housing, health insurance, and more.

Pension

Social Security – one of the most common types of financial benefits that New Yorkers can expect. You may qualify for Social Security provision by earning 40 retirement credits, which essentially means 10 years of U.S. work experience and Social Security contributions.

Goal: To provide a source of monthly income for insured retirees and their dependents or surviving relatives. Social Security benefits are intended to help older adults maintain a high quality of life and protect their families from financial hardship when they stop working.

Eligibility: Workers enrolled in Social Security can begin receiving benefits at age 62. You do not have to retire to receive these benefits.

Details: Certain family members and beneficiaries may also be eligible for benefits if they meet certain requirements. For example, spouses over age 62 and unmarried children under age 18.

Supplemental Security Income

Another popular option for seniors in New York is Supplemental Security Income (SSI). More information about the program is available here here.

Goal: Provide financial assistance to individuals aged 65 and over, blind or disabled, with limited income. Payments under this program help recipients meet their basic needs.

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Eligibility: Only people who are 65 or older, blind, or disabled are eligible for SSI in New York. They must be U.S. citizens or, in some cases, eligible non-citizens. Because this financial support is based on need, the more income you have, the lower your SSI benefits will be.

Details: This program is run by the federal government, but New York State supplements federal payments to provide greater financial assistance to recipients.

Maximum payouts: Up to $2000 per month for individuals and $3000 for couples.

Veterans Benefits

Senior New Yorkers who served in the U.S. military may be eligible for veterans' benefits. State benefits may supplement benefits provided by the federal Department of Veterans Affairs.

Goal: Support seniors who have served our country with pensions for low-income and disabled veterans. These benefits are designed to help with health care, job training, education, life insurance, and more. They can include health benefits such as free or low-cost care at VA hospitals, nursing homes, and outpatient services.

Eligibility: Aside from military service and living in New York City, there are only a few eligibility criteria to meet. Specific rules apply depending on the benefit or program.

Details: Dependents may also qualify for some benefits. Eligible veterans may be exempt from property taxes.

Public Assistance

Public Assistance is available to New Yorkers, not just older ones, but younger ones as well. The benefits help with food, clothing, and housing costs.

Goal: Providing cash benefits to low-income New Yorkers and supporting their health and well-being.

Eligibility: In some cases, applicants must be at least 65 years old to receive Public Assistance benefits. However, there are programs that offer benefits to other categories of the population, including people with disabilities.

Details: Annual income limits may vary by program.

Maximum payouts: $398,10 for a single person and $541,50 for a couple. This amount should include the person’s monthly rent.

Medicare

Eligible seniors can get extra financial help through Medicare, a federal program designed to make it easier to manage health care costs.

Goal: Health insurance that helps cover medical services such as hospital visits, doctor appointments, medications, and more. Medicare ensures that senior New Yorkers have access to appropriate medical care without having to pay out of pocket.

Eligibility: Recipients must be at least 65 years old and have worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least ten years. Some disabled people under 65 may qualify for this assistance after receiving Social Security disability benefits for two years.

Details: exists several parts of medicare, which offer different benefits and limitations. The two main programs are Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B. Part A covers inpatient hospital care, home care, inpatient skilled nursing facility care, and more. While Part B covers physician services, outpatient hospital care, and medical equipment or supplies.

Medicare, like any other insurance, has deductibles and premiums, but these values ​​can vary depending on income and the services being covered.

Medicare Savings Program (MSP)

MSPs are state programs that help seniors with limited incomes pay some or all of their Medicare costs, including copays, premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance.

Goal: To help people who rely on Medicare benefits cope with the financial burden that comes with getting health care.

Eligibility: To use this program, you must be eligible to enroll in Original Medicare. Specific restrictions and requirements may vary by program.

Details: There are several types of MSPs you may be eligible to apply for depending on your needs.

Here are a few examples:

• Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) Program;
• Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLIMB) Program;
• Qualifying Individual (QI) Program.

Medicare Part D

This part of the Medicare program provides coverage for prescription drugs, including most recommended vaccines, to eligible beneficiaries. Coverage plans are offered through private insurance companies that agree to follow the rules set forth by Medicare.

Goal: Provide financial assistance to Medicare recipients so they can afford prescription drugs and other treatments without high out-of-pocket costs.

Eligibility: You must be eligible and receiving Medicare benefits to participate in a prescription drug plan.

Details: You can join Medicare Part D in addition to Original Medicare (Parts A and B) or by joining a Medicare Advantage plan. It provides coverage for drug costs.

To access the plan search tool and view available options in New York City, click here.

Affordable care

The Affordable Care Act (ACA), commonly known as Obamacare, aims to expand health insurance coverage by creating a health insurance marketplace.

Goal: Make it easier for people who receive benefits to find and compare private insurance plans, enroll in Medicaid, or receive tax credits that lower their monthly health insurance costs.

Right to participate: People under 65 and without insurance can buy insurance through the Marketplace. The ACA provides more affordable care that is mostly tied to Medicare coverage. As a result, you must be eligible for Medicare to receive these benefits.

Details: The ACA expanded access to Medicaid for low-income seniors. This means that more adults in New York now receive Medicaid than ever before.

Medicaid

Medicaid — is a federal and state program. It provides financial assistance to low-income individuals and families. Medicaid is supported by all states, and each state must follow national rules because it offers different levels of benefits to Medicaid recipients.

Purpose: Medicaid programs help low-income adults, people with disabilities, and people who are blind pay their medical bills, including those not covered by Medicare (such as dental care, home care, eyeglasses, etc.)

Eligibility: Those who receive SSI or public assistance are automatically eligible for Medicaid. People who are blind, disabled, or over 65 are eligible if their net monthly income is less than $859 for an individual or $1267 for a couple.

Details: The Medicaid Surplus Income Program is available when an applicant's income exceeds eligibility requirements but is offset by the cost of medical bills.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – SNAP (Food Stamps)

SNAP benefits help families and individuals meet basic needs.

Goal: Provide eligible beneficiaries with benefits that help them buy food and essential items.

Eligibility: Seniors who want to apply for SNAP must be at least 60 years old. However, they are not the only ones eligible for SNAP benefits. Unemployed people, those who work part-time, or those who receive public assistance may also qualify.

Details: Household income is the primary determining factor for eligibility (other than disability status). The current gross monthly income limit for SNAP benefits in New York is $1473 for a single-person household. Be sure to review the monthly and annual income limits for your household to get the most accurate picture of eligibility.

Maximum payouts: As of 2023, maximum monthly SNAP benefits are $281 for one person and $516 for two. Benefit rates increase as families grow.

Reduced Fare

Getting around can become more challenging as you age, especially if you live independently. Reduced travel costs ensure that doctor visits, grocery shopping, and other destinations are manageable.

Goal: to help older adults and people with disabilities move successfully from place to place independently and without limitations due to out-of-pocket expenses.

Eligibility: Applicants must be at least 65 years old; people with disabilities are also eligible. There are no asset or income restrictions for this type of benefit.

Details: Eligible individuals can apply for a Reduced Fare MetroCard. The fare is automatically deducted from these cards when the recipient boards public transportation.

Senior Citizen Rent Exemption (SCRIE)

This program helps protect seniors from rental price changes that could jeopardize their housing situation.

Purpose: Provide a benefit to eligible senior citizens, which will allow them to avoid paying higher rents.

Eligibility: The head of household must be at least 62 years old to receive SCRIE benefits. There is also an annual income limit of $50.

Details: SCRIE does not offer coverage for rent increases caused by new equipment or services in a rental unit (e.g., remodeling projects, amenities, and other major capital improvements).

Senior Citizens Homeowner Exemption (SCHE)

SCHE helps seniors save money by exempting a portion of the value of their home (up to 50%) from property taxes.

Goal: Make it easier for older homeowners to manage their financial obligations – despite their financial or other limitations.

Eligibility: Applicants must be 65 years of age or older and have owned the property in question for at least 12 consecutive months.

The property must be the applicant's legal place of residence and may only be used for residential purposes.

Details: There is currently an income limit of $58 for the most recent calendar year.

Real Property Tax Credit

Another type of tax relief that seniors can take advantage of is the property tax credit, which helps offset some of the previous year's living expenses.

Goal: Offer homeowners and renters a tax credit of up to $375. This credit applies to a portion of the previous year's rent, mortgage, etc.

Right to participate: The current market value of the property must be $85 or less to qualify.

Details: Beneficiaries can apply for these tax credits for up to three years.

Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)

HEAP provides a one-off grant that is available to both older and younger people.

Goal: to help tenants and homeowners pay for energy and utility costs (electricity, gas, water).

Eligibility: People of any age can qualify for this benefit as long as their income does not exceed the current monthly income limit ($2391 for individuals and $3127 for couples).

Details: Benefit amounts typically range from $21 to $575, although families that use kerosene or oil may receive benefits up to $675.

Heating Equipment Repair or Replacement

Repairing your home's heating sources is a task that can be made easier with financial assistance from the state.

Goal: Help homeowners replace equipment, such as heaters and boilers, that keeps their homes safe and functional.

Eligibility: This program is designed to support low-income individuals and families, but there are no strict income or age limits.

Details: The specific benefit amounts depend on the necessary replacements or repairs and the associated costs.

Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC)

EPIC helps pay for Medicare Part D costs for low- and moderate-income beneficiaries.

Goal: Make prescription drug coverage offered by Medicare Part D affordable through additional out-of-pocket costs.

Eligibility: You must be enrolled in or eligible for Medicare Part D to receive EPIC benefits. There is also an annual income limit of $75 for individuals and $000 for couples.

Details: Beneficiaries may only receive EPIC benefits at EPIC participating pharmacies.

New York State School Tax Relief Program (STAR)

STAR offers eligible beneficiaries a partial property tax exemption.

Goal: To help low- and middle-income families save money on taxes and manage their financial obligations more easily.

Details: Enhanced STAR is available to seniors 65 and older and helps them save an average of $600 on property taxes. The income limit for this program is $86 or less for the entire family. Basic STAR is for homeowners whose combined income is $300 or less.