Important updates on EPIC & HEAP

Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC) – Helping seniors cut the cost of their prescription drugs by providing secondary coverage. Recently, EPIC expanded Part D premium assistance.

Beginning Jan. 1, 2012:

EPIC fee and deductible plans will be replaced by one level of coverage for all enrollees
All seniors must be enrolled in a Medicare Part D plan in order to maintain EPIC coverage
EPIC will provide secondary coverage for prescription medications when an enrollee reaches the Medicare Part D coverage gap

Eligibility:

NYS residents age 65 or older, who have an annual income under $35,000 (single) or $50,000 (married) and are a member of a Medicare Part D plan by Dec. 20, 2011 may be eligible
To find out if you qualify or for more information, call the NYS EPIC helpline at 1-800-332-3742

Here is some information to keep you warm and healthy this winter:
Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) – This program helps low-income New Yorkers save on electricity and other heating fuel in their homes or apartments.

Benefits:

Cash grants are made available to those who need help paying their heating bills based on income, the home’s primary fuel source and the number and ages of household members
Allocates up to $6,000 to help repair or replace furnaces, boilers and other direct heating equipment
HEAP emergency benefits assist seniors who are facing a heat or heat-related energy emergency and do not have the resources available to fix the crisis

Eligibility:

Low-income homeowners and those who are over 60 years old and pay their own heat may be eligible
For more information or to find out if you are eligible, call the OTDA hotline at 1-800-342-3009 and press “2” or visit www.otda.ny.gov/programs/heap

Assemblyman Anthony Brindisi
207 Genesee St., County Office Bldg. Rm. 401, Utica, NY 13501 | 732-1055
brindisia@assembly.state.ny.us