Benefits and Services for Seniors in New York City NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT FOR THE AGING Diane Rose, September 17, 2008

Community Services Case Management -Case Assistance - Home Delivered Meals -Improving Long-Term Care Access Senior Centers Legal Services

HELPING PEOPLE AGE WELL Elderly Crime Victims Unit Helping seniors in time of crisis.

HELPING PEOPLE AGE WELL Grandparent Resource Center Helping Grandparents raise children

HELPING PEOPLE AGE WELL HIICAP (Health Insurance Information Counseling and Assistance Program) Unbiased medical insurance counseling.

Employment/Volunteer Opportunities -Senior Employment -Foster Grandparents Program -Intergenerational Programs HELPING PEOPLE AGE WELL

Information and Referral --Distribution of literature --Walk-In Center --Community Outreach HELPING PEOPLE AGE WELL

Benefits for Seniors Living in NYC

Social Security Eligibility When to start collecting benefits Other family members may qualify for benefits Survivor Benefits Call Social Security Administration (800) Translation is available.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Maximum monthly benefits: -$ for individuals living alone -$ for couples Allowable assets: $2000 for individual $3000 for couple $1500 Plus burial fund per person Call Social Security Administration (800) Translation is available.

Veterans Benefits Contact: US Department of Veterans Affairs New York Regional Office (800) or (212)

Public Assistance Cash benefits for low-income persons Benefits vary depending on specific situations: -assets -rent -housing status -work-related expenses Call 311 for more information

Medicare A health insurance program for those 65 and older who are eligible to receive Social Security or railroad retirement benefits. Disabled people under 65 may be eligible after receiving Social Security Disability for two years. Application must be made three months before 65 th birthday to avoid penalty.

Medicare Part A Covers: –Inpatient hospital care –Inpatient skilled nursing facility –Home health care and hospice care Deductibles and co-insurance apply.

Medicare Part B covers: –Doctor services –Outpatient hospital services –Durable medical equipment, and other medical services and supplies. Pays 80% of Medicare-accepted charges after an annual deductible of $ has been met. Persons eligible for Part A pay a monthly premium of $ Call Social Security Administration (800) Translation is available.

Medicare Part C is Medicare Choice: –Choose from several Health Insurance HMO’s to fit your needs. Part D is Prescription Coverage: ---Call HIICAP for help enrolling. Or Call Social Security Administration (800) Translation is available.

Medicare Savings Programs Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries (QMB) –Medicaid covers the monthly Part B premium ($96.40) in addition to deductibles and co- insurance. –Monthly income limitations: One person: $ Couple: $ –Asset limitations: none

Medicare Savings Programs Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiaries (SLIMB) –Medicaid covers the monthly Part B premium ($96.40). –Monthly income limitations: One person: $ Couple: $ –Asset limitations: none

Medicare Savings Programs Qualified Individual 1 (QI-1) –Medicaid covers the monthly Part B premium ($96.40). –Monthly income limitations: One person: $ Couple: $ –Asset limitations: none Call 311 for more information Translation is available.

Medicaid Health care coverage for low-income persons of any age. Eligibility criteria for those 65 years or older, blind, or disabled: –Income limitations : $ One person $ Couple –Asset limitations : $13, One person * $19, Couple *

Medicaid Surplus Income Program Nursing Home Transfer of Income and Assets: Call 311 for more information Translation is available.

Food Stamps Asset limitations: None Call 311 for more information Translation is available.

MTA Reduced Fare Those persons 65 and older or with disabilities are eligible for a Reduced Fare on all NYC subways and regular buses. Apply at MTA Customer Service Center 3 Stone Street New York, NY or Call 212-METROCARD

Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) Tenants in rent-controlled/stabilized, Mitchell-Lama and hotel units may be exempt from certain rent increases.

Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) Who can apply? –Must be age 62 or over –Must be the head of the household or the “tenant of record”, or the older spouse of that person –Must live in either a rent-controlled or rent stabilized apartment, or a rent regulated hotel unit –Apartment must be the actual residence –Total household income for the previous year cannot exceed $28,000. –Monthly rent must be more than one-third of your monthly household income. Call 311 for more information Translation is available.

Senior Citizen Homeowners Exemption (SCHE) Savings of up to 50% to qualified property owners of 1 to 3 unit houses, condos or co-op apartments. Applicants must be 65 years or older (All co-owners must be 65 or older except for spouse.) Income limit: $35,400 for the last calendar year. Call 311 for more information Translation is available.

IT-214 and NYC-210 Tax credits for people who do not file NYS income tax forms. –IT-214: Benefit is based on value of property and income or rental costs and income. Amount of benefit varies –NYC-210: Benefit is based only on residency in New York City during the prior year Benefit is $145 per person Call Application online:

Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) A one-time grant per year to help low-income homeowners and renters pay fuel and utility costs. Monthly income limit for program year: –$ one person –$ couple No asset limit Call 311 for more information Translation is available.

Weatherization Referral and Packaging Program (WRAP) Free home energy services designed to lower the energy bills of low-income seniors. Income qualifications are the same as the HEAP income guidelines Call 311 for more information Call 311 for more information Translation is available.

Elder Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC) Prescription coverage for seniors 65 and over. $20.00 is the maximum that a senior with EPIC would pay per prescription per month. No asset limits Income limits: –$35,000 one person –$50,000 couple Call EPIC for more information: Translation is available.

New York State School Tax Relief Program (STAR) Basic STAR is the New York State tax relief program that reduces the school tax portion of real property taxes for all New Yorkers who own one, two, or three-family homes, condos, or cooperatives. There is no age, income, or asset limitation. Enhanced STAR is an additional reduction for seniors 65 and older whose annual household income does not exceed $70, per year. Call 311 for more information Translation is available.