As an elderly resident of New York state, age sixty years or older, you have access to many programs, benefits, and community services that you might not be aware of. Different benefits throughout the state have varying requirements regarding age, finances, and other rules regarding eligibility. This article, and the local chapter of the state’s Office for Aging, is here to provide you with the information that you need to take advantage of the services that are available in the state for you.
It is important to remember that when discussing these programs, the term “resources” refers to the assets or property that you own. This includes cash, bank accounts, investments, and valuables but not a home, car, income-producing property, or personal property. In addition, “income” refers to earned and unearned income for work performed, social security benefits, pensions, retirement account withdrawals, and valuable gifts.
Social Security
Social security is income for insured workers, spouses, former spouses, children, grandchildren, and surviving parents. You can become eligible at any age for Social Security benefits if you are a disabled worker or a spouse caring for a retired, disabled or deceased worker’s child or adult disabled child. At fifty, a worker’s surviving disabled spouse may apply, at sixty, a worker’s surviving spouse may apply, and at 62, a retired worker, retired spouse, and a worker’s surviving dependent parents may apply for the program.
In addition, divorced spouses can receive benefits if they were married for at least ten years. There is also no limit on resources or income for this benefit program, and beneficiaries who have reached retirement age but continue to work will still receive full benefits.
Medicare
This Medicaid program helps seniors pay for certain health care costs. To apply, you must be 65 years old or older to avoid incurring penalties. You may apply before you are 65 years old without penalties if you are disabled and have been receiving Social Security disability payments for two years. The program is split into four parts (Part A – D) and certain resource and income limits apply to specific parts; however, there is no limit for overall application to the program.
There is no limit on resources or income for the basic Medicare program. However, for extra help an applicant must show that they have less than $13,440 in resources ($26,860 for a couple). In order to apply for a low income subsidy, an individual must make $1,396.25 per month maximum ($1,891.25 for a couple).
Medicaid
This program offers a full range of health care services and benefits, including many options that are not provided by Medicare. It includes home care, unlimited nursing home care, prescription drugs, dentistry, eyeglasses, hearing aids, and more. You can apply at any age but must be disabled or blind if you are under the age of 65.
Resources are limited at $14,550 for an individual and $21,550 for a couple. Exceptions for resources include $1,500 for a burial, a home, and certain personal effects. The income limits for Medicaid are $808 per month for an individual and $1,192 for a couple. There are ways to spend down on resources and income in order to qualify for Medicaid, but you should speak to an elder law attorney about your options.
The first part of this article explained that there are many programs and benefits available to seniors that live in New York. The second part of the article continues to explain various services that are available to the state’s elderly population.
Temporary Assistance
This program provides cash benefits for senior citizens with limited income for essential food, clothing, and shelter items. You can be any age to apply, but people over the age of sixty do not have to meet the program’s work requirements. The resource limit for an individual is $2,000 and $3,000 if any household member is ages sixty or older. Employed applicants may be able to disregard some of their earnings and still qualify for the program. There is a sixty month limit on this program, and it applies for the lifetime of the applicant.
Elder Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage Program (EPIC)
This program is available specifically for New York residents 65 years old or older and covers more than one-half of the cost of most prescription drugs after the Medicare Part D deductible. There is no limit on resources, but the limit on income is $35,000 for an individual ($50,000 for a couple) including Social Security benefits. This program can only be used at EPIC approved pharmacies but it does cover insulin and syringes.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
This service applies to seniors at any age and provides food stamps that can be used like cash at certain retail food stores. There is no limit on resources for an applicant, but there is a $1,915 limit on income for an individual ($2,585 for a household of two) for a household that has an elderly or disabled member.
Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)
This service provides eligible families and seniors help by reducing their heating and cooling costs as well as improve their home’s safety through energy efficient measures. You can apply at any age, and there is no limit on resources. In terms of income, any household that is at sixty percent or below of the state median income is eligible for the service. Priority is given to senior citizens, families with children, and people with disabilities.
Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE)
This program exempts rent-controlled or rent-stabilized housing and hotel tenants from certain rent increases. It is available for seniors ages 62 and older, and there is no limit on resources. For seniors living in New York City, the income limit is $29,000 per year and outside of the city you must check to see if your community has adopted the program. SCRIE covers increases for renewals on leases, maximum base rent increases, fuel, landlord hardship, and major capital improvements.
New York State School Tax Relief Program (STAR)
This program provides an exemption from the school portion of property taxes for owner-occupied primary residences. It applies to all New York residents who own their one, two, or three family homes, condominiums or cooperative apartments, mobile homes, or farms in the state. You can apply at any age, and there is no limit on resources. The annual household income must be less than $500,000 and for senior citizens STAR exempts the first $30,000 of the primary home from school property taxes.