Every Senior Benefit

Benefits for seniors in New York

In short: New York's Medicaid program is simply called Medicaid, and people 65 and over apply through their county Department of Social Services, or the Human Resources Administration (HRA) in New York City. New York is generous with Medicare Savings Programs: the income limits are higher than the federal ones and there is no asset test, so many people with modest savings qualify. Many seniors also miss EPIC, the state's drug program for people 65 and over. For free Medicare help, call HIICAP at 1-800-701-0501.

Medicaid for people 65 and over

In New York, people who are 65 or older, blind, or disabled are judged under special Medicaid rules. For 2026:

  • Income must be at or below 138% of the federal poverty level. That is $1,836 a month for one person or $2,489 for two. Medicaid takes $20 off your gross income before comparing it to the limit.
  • Savings and other resources must be at or below $33,038 for one person or $44,796 for two. You can own a home, a car and personal belongings and still qualify.
  • Income a little too high? You may still get Medicaid through the Excess Income (spenddown) program. Each month you show medical bills equal to the amount you are over, or you pay that amount to your local social services office. Then Medicaid covers your care for that month.

Medicaid pays for a wide range of care, such as doctor and hospital visits and prescriptions. If you also have Medicare, Medicaid pays your Medicare premiums, deductibles and coinsurance.

Long-term care. Medicaid can pay for nursing home care and for care at home. Most adults with Medicare and Medicaid who need home care for more than 120 days must join a Managed Long Term Care (MLTC) plan. A nurse from the New York Independent Assessor checks whether you need that level of care. If you are married and your spouse stays at home, your spouse can keep between $74,820 and $162,660 in resources and up to $4,066.50 a month in income in 2026.

Estate recovery. After death, New York may seek repayment from the estate of a person who got Medicaid at age 55 or older, or who lived permanently in a nursing home. It waits while a spouse, a child under 21, or a blind or disabled child is living.

Help paying Medicare costs

New York's Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) are more generous than the federal rules. In 2026 there are two main programs:

  • Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB): pays your Medicare Part A and Part B premiums, deductibles and coinsurance. Income limit: 138% of the poverty level, or $1,836 a month for one person and $2,489 for a couple.
  • Qualifying Individual (QI): pays your Part B premium. Income limit: 186% of the poverty level, or $2,474 a month for one person and $3,355 for a couple. You must have Part A, and you cannot get QI and Medicaid at the same time.

New York does not have a separate SLMB program for most people now. People who would have qualified for SLMB fall under the higher QMB limit.

No asset test. New York does not count your savings for these programs. A small amount of income is not counted, so apply even if you are a little over.

Extra Help comes with it. If you get QMB or QI, you also get Extra Help with Medicare drug costs.

How to apply: use form DOH-4328 and mail it to your county Department of Social Services, or apply online through NY State of Health. In New York City, you can also apply through HRA.

Prescription drug help

EPIC (Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage) is New York's drug program for people 65 and over who live in New York. It works alongside a Medicare Part D drug plan. You must have Part D or be able to get it.

  • Who qualifies: yearly income up to $75,000 if single or $100,000 if married.
  • Fee Plan: for income up to $20,000 single or $26,000 married.
  • Deductible Plan: for income above those amounts, up to the top limit.
  • Premium help: EPIC helps pay Part D plan premiums for members with income up to $23,000 single or $29,000 married.
  • What it does: after any Part D deductible, EPIC is secondary coverage that lowers what you pay at the pharmacy. It can also cover some approved drugs that Part D leaves out.

You can apply any time of year. Mail or fax the application. You do not need to send papers, because EPIC checks your income with Social Security and the state tax department. EPIC Helpline: 1-800-332-3742 (TTY 1-800-290-9138), Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Also check whether you qualify for federal Extra Help.

Extra state payment with SSI

New York adds a State Supplement Program (SSP) payment to federal SSI. In 2026, a person living alone gets up to $87 a month from the state, for a total of $1,081 with SSI. A couple living alone gets up to $104, for a total of $1,595. A person living with others gets $23. People in some supervised housing get more.

New York State, not Social Security, pays the SSP. It comes as a separate payment from your federal SSI. SSP Customer Support: 1-855-488-0541.

Food help

New York calls food stamps SNAP. If everyone in your household is 60 or older or disabled, and no one has earnings from work, you may use a shorter application (form LDSS-5166). These households usually renew only every three years, often without an interview. Some out-of-pocket medical costs can be subtracted from your income, which can raise your benefit.

Apply online at myBenefits.ny.gov, at your local Department of Social Services, or call the OTDA Hotline at 1-800-342-3009.

Farmers market coupons. The Farmers Market Nutrition Program gives coupons for fresh produce to people 60 and over with income at or below 185% of the poverty level. In New York City, the 2026 booklet was worth $25. Booklets went out from July through September, and coupons can be used until November 30, 2026. In New York City, call Aging Connect at 212-244-6469. Elsewhere, ask your local office for the aging.

Help staying at home

  • Medicaid home care: Medicaid can pay for help at home, usually through a Managed Long Term Care plan. Plan types include partial capitation plans, Medicaid Advantage Plus, and PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly).
  • EISEP (Expanded In-home Services for the Elderly): for people 60 and over who are not eligible for Medicaid and need help with daily tasks. It offers case management, housekeeping and personal care, respite for caregivers, and small home repairs or devices. Some people pay part of the cost.
  • NY Connects: free help finding long-term care services for any age. Call 1-800-342-9871 or visit nyconnects.ny.gov.

Property tax and housing help

  • Enhanced STAR: a bigger school tax break for homeowners when at least one owner who lives in the home is 65 or older by December 31 of the benefit year. Income limit: $110,750 for 2026 benefits and $113,550 for 2027 benefits. Only the income of owners and spouses who live in the home counts. Starting in 2026, the state upgrades you from Basic to Enhanced STAR automatically when you turn 65 if you qualify. You do not need to apply again. Check your status in your Individual Online Services account at tax.ny.gov.
  • Basic STAR: no age limit. The STAR credit is for incomes up to $500,000.
  • Senior citizens exemption: many towns, cities, counties and school districts lower the taxable value of a senior's home by up to 50%. You generally must be 65 or older and have owned the home for 12 months. Each community sets its own income limit, so ask your local assessor. Outside New York City, file form RP-467 with your assessor, usually by March 1. In New York City, apply to the Department of Finance for the Senior Citizen Homeowners' Exemption (SCHE).
  • NYC Rent Freeze (SCRIE): for New York City tenants 62 and older in rent-regulated apartments who spend more than one-third of their income on rent. It freezes your rent. The income limit may be changing, so check the current limit by calling 311.

Help with energy bills

New York's LIHEAP program is the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP). It helps pay heating bills, and has emergency help, heating equipment repair for homeowners, and cooling help in summer. As of mid-October 2026, the 2026-2027 season had not yet opened. Check the opening date and current income limits with your local Department of Social Services, or call the OTDA Hotline at 1-800-342-3009.

Free help and counseling

  • HIICAP (Health Insurance Information, Counseling and Assistance Program): New York's free, unbiased Medicare counseling. Trained counselors help with Medicare, drug plans, Medigap, Medicare Savings Programs and EPIC. Call 1-800-701-0501 and you will be connected to your county's program.
  • Local offices for the aging: each county has an Area Agency on Aging. In New York City, call Aging Connect at 212-244-6469. Anywhere in the U.S., the Eldercare Locator can find yours: 1-800-677-1116.
  • New York State Office for the Aging: aging.ny.gov.

How to apply

  • Medicaid and help paying Medicare costs: outside New York City, contact your county Department of Social Services (list at health.ny.gov). In New York City, apply online through ACCESS HRA, at an HRA Medicaid office, or call the HRA Medicaid Helpline at 1-888-692-6116. You can also apply for the Medicare Savings Program online through NY State of Health (nystateofhealth.ny.gov, 855-355-5777). Statewide questions: Medicaid Helpline, 1-800-541-2831.
  • EPIC: 1-800-332-3742 (TTY 1-800-290-9138), or mail EPIC, P.O. Box 15018, Albany, NY 12212-5018.
  • Food help: myBenefits.ny.gov, your local Department of Social Services, or 1-800-342-3009.
  • Heating help (HEAP): your local Department of Social Services, or 1-800-342-3009.
  • Home care help: NY Connects, 1-800-342-9871.
  • Free counseling: HIICAP, 1-800-701-0501.

Check what you may qualify for

Sources

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