Disability Benefits
Benefits
Payments based upon sufficient work prior to onset of disability.
Elligibility
Disabled individual of any age, with an impairment that is expected to keep him/her out of a customary occupation for a minimum of one year.
Income Limits
Resources Limits
Government Agency
All same as SS Retirement Benefit.
Supplemental Security Income
Benefits
Monthly cash benefits to meet food, clothing and shelter needs, financed through general tax revenues, not the Social Security Trust Funds.
Elligibility
Persons 65+, blind or disabled of any age who have low income and resources. Must be of U.S. citizenship or lawfully admitted permanent resident prior to August 22, 1996.
Income Limits
Individuals living alone–$724+$20*, Couples $1,060+$20*
Individuals living with others– $660 + $20*, Couples $1,002+ $20*
Individuals living in another household – $447.67+$20*, Couples – $683.34+$20*
*First $20 unearned income is excluded
Resources Limits
Individuals: $2,000. Couples: $3,000. Exemptions: $1,500 per individual for burial fund; a car per household, home (primary residence), personal, household goods.
Government Agency
Medicare Part A - Hospital Insurance Program
Benefits
Coverage for acute hospital care and limited coverage for skilled nursing facility, home health care and hospice. $1,024 deductible for 1st through 60th day of hospitalization. Co-insurance payments thereafter.
Elligibility
Persons 65+ who:
a) are eligible for Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits; or
b) those who wish to purchase coverage, though they are not eligible for the above benefits; or
c) disabled workers after entitlement to disability for 24 months; or
d) persons with chronic renal disease.
Income Limits
Resources Limits
None.
Government Agency
Social Security Administration: 1(800)772-1213
www.medicare.gov
HIICAP 1(212)341-3978
Medicare Part B - Supplemental Medical Insurance
Benefits
Optional; partial coverage (80% of approved fee) for physician, outpatient clinic, skilled nursing care and durable medical equipment; $96.40 premium per month; $135 yearly deductible.
Elligibility
Income Limits
Resources Limits
Government Agency
Same as Medicare Part A
Medicare Part D - Prescription Drug Coverage
Benefits
Covers both brand-name and generic prescription drugs at participating pharmacies in your area. Medicare prescription drug coverage provides protection for people who have very high drug costs.
Elligibility
Everyone with Medicare is eligible for this coverage, regardless of income and resources, health status, or current prescription expenses.
Note: You may sign up when you first become eligible for Medicare (three months before the month you turn age 65 until three months after you turn age 65). If you get Medicare due to a disability, you can join from three months before to three months after your 25th month of cash disability payments. If you don’t sign up when you are first eligible, you may have to pay a penalty. If you didn’t join when you were first eligible, your next opportunity to join will be from November 15, 2008 to December 31, 2008.
Income Limits
Resources Limits
None.
Government Agency
Social Security Administration: 1(800)772-1213
www.medicare.gov
HIICAP 1(212)341-3978
Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB)
Benefits
Pays for Medicare premiums. It can also pay for coinsurance and deductibles if provider also accepts Medicaid.
Elligibility
Persons age 65+ or disabled who have low income and low resources, are enrolled in Medicare Part A and eligible for Medicare Part B.
Income Limits
Individuals: $867/month, $4,000 in Resources
Couples: $1,167/month, $6,000 in Resources
(SLMB)
Individuals: $1,040/month, $4,000 in Resources
Couples: $1,400/month, $6,000 in Resources
At these income limits, program pays for Medicare part B premiums only.
In addition, there are other programs that can help pay all or part of the Medicare Part B premium. These programs are called QI-1 and QWDI. These programs are for people with higher incomes.
Government Agency
New York City Human Resources Administration 1(877) 472-8411
Medicaid Full Coverage
Benefits
Comprehensive health care benefits, including coverage for hospitals, physician, skilled nursing facility, health related facility, home care.
Elligibility
Persons 65+, blind, disabled children under 21 or the caretaker relative of a dependent child who is experiencing deprivation of parental support.
Accountable Income Limits
Individuals: $725/month + $20*
Couples: $1,067/month + $20*
When one spouse is institutionalized and receiving Medicaid, the other spouse, while not receiving Medicaid, may retain $2,610 in monthly income and $104,400 maximum in assets.
* The first $20 of income is exempt.
Resources Limits
Individuals: $4,350. Couples: $6,400. Exempt: primary residence, car, certain additions for burial.
Government Agency
Medical Assistance Program Application for Medicaid made at offices throughout New York City
HRA Hotline: 1(877) 472-8411 or
HIICAP 1(212)341-3978
Medicaid Excess Income Program
Benefits
Medicaid coverage as described above, but on a month to month basis after the use of excess income to cover medical costs.
Elligibility
Same as Medicaid Full Coverage except for income levels.
Income Limits
No maximum, providing that medical expenses reduce net income to the levels listed above.
Resources Limits
Government Agency
Same as Medicaid.
Food Stamps
Benefits
Monthly allotment of benefits through a debit card system for purchasing nutritious food items; dollar value depends on household size and income.
Elligibility
Elderly 60+, or disabled
Income Limits
Each case reviewed individually.
Resources Limits
$3,000 per household.
*Note: Clients can own one vehicle of any value.
Government Agency
HRA Hotline:
1(877)472-8411
Emergency Assistance for Adults (EAA)
Benefits
Cash payments for food, rent, moving expenses, utilities, furniture, repairs, etc. in case of emergency.
Elligibility
SSI-eligible persons or currently receiving SSI; with a documented need for assistance.
Income Limits
Resources Limits
Same as SSI
Government Agency
Same as Food Stamps
Lifeline Telephone Service
Benefits
Reduces cost of basic telephone service to as little as $1 a month.
Elligibility
Persons eligible to receive assistance benefits from at least one of these programs: Medicaid, Food Stamps, SSI, Heap, Veterans non-service related Disability Pension and Veterans’ Surviving Spouse Pension.
Income Limits
Resources Limits
See eligibility.
Government Agency
Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE)
Benefits
Relief from obligation to pay rent increases; landlord is compensated by reduction in real estate taxes.
Elligibility
Persons 62+, who live in rent-controlled, Mitchell-Lama, rent stabilized apartments, and whose rent is one-third of their income or more - not including air conditioning, auxiliary services and utility charges.
Income Limits
Combined total household income from all sources must be less than $28,000, including Social Security Income. After July 1, 2009 the amount will increase to $29,000.
Resources Limits
None.
Government Agency
NYC Dept. for the Aging, SCRIE 311 in NYC
(For Mitchell-Lama, call the Dept. of Housing Preservation and Dev. 1(212) 863-8494)
Senior Citizens Homeowners Exemption (SCHE)
Benefits
Sliding scale real estate tax exemption of 5% to 50%. Renewable every second year.
Elligibility
Real estate owners, including cooperatives and condominium owners, 65+, who use the property as their primary residence. Those turning 65 anytime during year are eligible. Applicants can apply at anytime to qualify for benefits for the following July 1st billing period. Those who are eligible for SCRIE are not eligible for SCHE. Those who qualify for SCHE will also automatically receive the Enhanced STAR exemption
Income Limits
Combined total income for all owners from all sources must be less than $34,400. Individuals can deduct documented unreimbursed medical and prescription expenses.
Resources Limits
None.
Government Agency
311 in NYC or NYC Department of Finance Customer Assistance Line 1(212) 504-4080
www.nyc.gov/finance
Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
Benefits
Grant or energy credit, depending upon income, household size and type of fuel used.
Renters - $40-$50 depending if heat is included.
Homeowners up to $540.
Elligibility
Low income homeowners and renters.
Income Limits
Monthly income:
Individuals: $1,876;
Couples: $2,454
Resources Limits
None.
Government Agency
311 in NYC
Reduced Fare
Benefits
Reduced Fare privileges on NYC owned local route buses and subways 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. MTA express buses are available at all times except during morning inbound peak hours (6 AM to 10 AM) and evening outbound peak hours (3 PM to 7 PM). All passengers can ride NYC DOT Staten Island Ferry for free. Available to customers with one of the following forms of identification: NYC Dept. for the Aging ID card, Access-A-Ride card, Reduced Fare ID card (pre 1995), Medicare card. Reduced Fare Metro Card automatically deducts correct reduced fare, and allows you to transfer free between NYC Transit subways and buses.
Elligibility
Persons 65+ and disabled riders.
Income Limits
Resources Limits
None.
Government Agency
Access-A-Ride (AAR)
Benefits
Provides transportation for people with disabilities who are unable to use public bus or subway service for some or all of their trips. It offers shared ride door-to-door paratransit service. MTA New York City Transit administers AAR; private carriers under contract to NYC Transit provide service.
Elligibility
Disabled riders.
Income Limits
Resources Limits
None.
Government Agency
NYC Transit 1(877)337-2017
Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC)
Benefits
Cuts prescription drug costs.
Elligibility
NYS residents 65 or older; must meet income guidelines.Not Eligible if receiving full Medicaid benefits.
Income Limits
Fee Plan: Single: $20,000 or less;
Married: Joint income $26,000 or less.
Deductible Plan: Single: $20,001 to $35,000
Married: Joint income $26,001 to $50,000
Resources Limits
None.
Government Agency
EPIC Helpline1(800)332-3742
School Tax Relief Exemption (STAR)
Benefits
Exemption from school property taxes for owner occupied primary residences. All New York City homeowners qualify for a basic exemption and senior citizen homeowners can qualify for an enhanced exemption if they meet the qualifications below.
Elligibility
Enhanced: Seniors 65 years of age or older who own and live in a one, two or three family home, condominium or cooperative apartment, whose income is less than $70,650. The benefit reduces property tax approximately $375 a year.
Basic: All residential property owners who live in a one, two or three family home, condominium or cooperative apartment, regardless of age and income. The benefit reduces property tax approximately $200 a year.
Income Limits
See eligibility.
Resources Limits
None.
Government Agency
311 in NYC or
New York City Department of Finance Customer Assistance Line 1(212) 504-4080
www.nyc.gov/finance
Benefits
Web site created by the NYS Dept. of Health which provides information on practicing physicians. To perform a general search, please type the full name of the doctor where indicated. You may access information on educational background, legal actions, health plans, hospital affiliation, and more. If you prefer to speak to a customer service representative, a toll-free phone number is available below.
Elligibility
Income Limits
Resources Limits
None.
Government Agency
