Dear Neighbor:

Happy Spring! I am pleased to present this updated brochure of information regarding benefits and programs targeted for seniors in New York State. I hope you will find it helpful in navigating the city and state’s numerous agencies and groups providing services.

I have had the distinct pleasure of meeting many of you in person, and it is often on these occasions that I hear from you about your concerns in the neighborhood. One of the issues many people, both young and old, have contacted me about is their growing concern about the safety of our streets. Earlier this year I launched the Safe Streets for Seniors campaign in the West 60’s and 70’s. Over one hundred people gathered at the NCJW Council Senior Center on 72nd Street in January to compile a list of some of the most pressing problems facing seniors on the streets and some of the most dangerous intersections. Many seniors in the neighborhood also documented these problems with disposable cameras. With the help of urban planners from Transportation Alternatives, a non-profit advocacy group, we learned about some basic street design features that can vastly improve conditions for pedestrian safety. This spring we will present our findings to the new commissioner of the New York City Department of Transportation, with recommendations for improvements. I am pleased to announce that we will be extending our efforts to the West 80’s and 90’s. I hope that you will join me in creating a safer, friendlier street environment throughout all of the Upper West Side – we need your input to make a difference.

As you look through the enclosed information about government programs, I know questions will arise about some of the more confusing programs, including Medicare Part D. This November 15th to December 31st will be the second year that seniors will have to make complicated decisions regarding enrollment in Medicare Part D. Many people have questions about changes in their plan, increased premiums, covered drugs, and re-enrollment. I am working with the Medicare Rights Center to put together an informational forum before the enrollment period to help guide you through these questions and difficult choices.

Seniors are a growing force in our community and our state, and it is crucial that as we make policy choices in Albany we keep in mind the needs of seniors in decisions about housing, health care, and quality of life. I hope that you will come to me with any questions or concerns you have, or ideas about how to improve life for seniors. As always, we will be holding our annual West Side Seniors Day at the American Museum of Natural History (click here for more details). Please remember to RSVP, and I look forward to seeing you there!

• Benefits
  Monthly cash benefits based on years of employment and amount withheld from earnings.

• Eligibility
  Full retirement age for 2007 is 65+ (full retirement age is gradually rising from 65 to 67). Retiree and spouse, if spouse is 62+, or with dependent child.

• Income Limits
  Individuals 65+, no limit.
  For the year persons obtain age 65, for every $3 earned over the limit, $1 is withheld from benefits, but only counting earnings before the month one reaches the full benefit retirement age.
  A person who attains age 65 in 2007 can earn up to $34,440 with no loss of benefits.
  Earning limit for persons under 65 $12,960.
  For every $2 earned over the limit, $1 is withheld from benefits.

• Resources Limits
  None.

• Government Agency
  Social Security Administration
  800-772-1213
  TTY 800-325-0778
  www.socialsecurity.gov

• Benefits
  Payments based upon work record of deceased.

• Eligibility
  Widow/widower is eligible for full benefits at the age of 65+, reduced benefits at the age of 60+, and full benefits for 50+ with a disability.

• Income Limits
  None.

• Resources Limits
  None.

• Government Agency
  Same as Soc. Sec. Retirement Benefits.

• Benefits
  Payments based upon sufficient work prior to onset of disability.

• Eligibility
  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, and spouse, if spouse is 62+, or with dependent child under age 16.

• Income Limits
  None.

• Resources Limits
  None.

• Government Agency
  Same as Soc. Sec. Retirement Benefits.

• Benefits
  Monthly cash benefits to meet food, clothing and shelter needs, financed through general tax revenues, not the Social Security Trust Funds.

• Eligibility
  Persons 65+, blind or disabled of any age who have low income and few resources. Must be U.S. citizens or a lawfully admitted permanent resident prior to August 22, 1996.

• Income Limits
  Individuals living alone - $710* Couples - $1028*
  Individuals living with others - $646* Couples - $970*
  Individuals living in another household - $445* Couples - $668.67*
  *First $20 unearned income is exempt.

• Resources Limits
  Individuals - $2,000
  Couples - $3,000
  Exemptions: $1,500 per individual for burial fund; car, home, personal effects and household goods.

• Government Agency
  Same as Soc. Sec. Retirement Benefits.

• Benefits
  Coverage for acute hospital care and limited coverage for skilled nursing facility, home health care and hospice. Deductible for first through 60th day of hospitalization is $992, co-insurance payments thereafter.

• Eligibility
  Persons 65+ who:

  1. are eligible for Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits;

  2. wish to purchase coverage, though they are not eligible for the above benefits;

  Persons under 65 who:

  3. are disabled workers entitled to 24 months of disability;

  4. suffer from end-stage renal disease.

• Income Limits
  None.

• Resources Limits
  None.

• Government Agency
  Social Security Administration
  800-772-1213
  TTY 800-325-0778
  www.medicare.gov
  HIICAP (Health Insurance Information Counseling Assistance Program) 212-333-5511

• Benefits
  Optional: partial coverage (80% of approved fee) for physician, outpatient clinic, skilled nursing care and durable medical equipment; $93.50 premium per month; $131 yearly deductible.

• Eligibility
  65+

• Income Limits
  None.

• Resources Limits
  None.

• Government Agency
  Same as Medicare Part A.

• 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.

• Eligibility
  Everyone with Medicare is eligible for this coverage, regardless of income and resources, health status or current prescription expenses. Note: The current enrollment period ends on May 15, 2007. If you joined by December 31, 2006, your coverage started January 1, 2007. If you don’t sign up when you are first eligible or by May 15, 2007, you may pay a penalty. The next enrollment period is from November 15, 2007 to December 31, 2007. If you enroll in the next period, your coverage will start on January 1, 2008.

• Income Limits
  None.

• Resources Limits
  None.

• Government Agency
  Same as Medicare Part A.

• Benefits
  NYS sponsored prescription plan for seniors that cuts prescription drug costs.

• Eligibility
  65+, income not exceeding $35,000 if single and $50,000 if married. Not eligible if receiving full Medicaid Benefits. Must be enrolled in Medicare Part D.

• 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 Helpline
  800-332-3742
  www.health.state.ny.us/health_care/epic/

• Benefits
  Pays for Medicare premiums. It can also pay for coinsurance and deductibles if provider also accepts Medicaid.

• Eligibility
  Persons age 65+ or disabled persons who have low income, few resources, are enrolled in Medicare Part A and eligible for Medicare Part B.

• Income Limits
  Individuals: $871 /month, $4,000 in resources
  Couples: $1,161 /month, $6,000 in resources.

• Government Agency
  New York City Human Resources Administration 877-472-8411

• Benefits
  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. Programs for people with higher incomes include: Q1-1 and QWDI.

• Eligibility
  Medicare beneficiaries with income between 120% and 135% of federal poverty level and with limited resources up to $4,000 for individuals and $6,000 for couples.

• Income Limits
  Individuals - $1,041 /month,$4,000 in resources.
  Couples - $1,389 /month, $6,000 in resources.

• Government Agency
  New York City Human Resources Administration (HRA) 877-472-8411

• Benefits
  Comprehensive health care benefits, including coverage for hospitals, physicians, skilled nursing facility, health related facility and home care.

• Eligibility
  Persons 65+, blind, disabled children under 21 or the caretaker relative of a dependent child who is experiencing deprivation of parental support.

• Income Limits
  Individuals - $700 /month*
  Couples - $900 /month*
  When spouse is institutionalized and receiving Medicaid, the other spouse, while not receiving Medicaid, may retain $2,489 in monthly income and $99,540 maximum in assets.
  *The first $20 of income is exempt.

• Resources Limits
  Individuals - $4,200
  Couples - $5,400
  Exemptions: primary residence, car, certain additions for burial.

• Government Agency
  Medical Assistance Program Application for Medicaid made at offices throughout New York City HRA Hotline: 877-472-8411 or HIICAP: 212-333-5511

• Benefits
  Medicaid coverage as described above, but on a month-to-month basis after the use of excess income to cover medical costs.

• Eligibility
  Same as Medicaid Full Coverage except for income limits.

• Income Limits
  No maximum, providing that medical expenses reduce net income to the levels listed above.

• Resources Limits
  None.

• Government Agency
  Same as Medicaid.

• Benefits
  Monthly allotment of benefits through a debit card system for purchasing nutritious food items; dollar value depends on household size and income.

• Eligibility
  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 877-472-8411

• Benefits
  Cash payments for food, rent, moving expenses, utilities, furniture, repairs, etc. in case of emergency.

• Eligibility
  SSI-eligible persons or currently receiving SSI; with a documented need for assistance.

• Income Limits
  None.

• Resources Limits
  None.

• Government Agency
  Same as Food Stamps.

• Benefits
  Reduces cost of basic telephone service to as little as $1 a month plus local charges.

• Eligibility
  Persons eligible to receive assistance benefits from at least one of these programs: Medicaid, Food Stamps, SSI, HEAP, Veterans nonservice related Disability Pension and Veterans’ Surviving Spouse Pension.

• Income Limits
  None.

• Resources Limits
  None.

• Government Agency
  Verizon
  800-555-5000
  www.lifelinesupport.org

• Benefits
  Relief from obligation to pay rent increases; landlord is compensated by reduction in real estate taxes.

• Eligibility
  Persons 62+, who live in rent-controlled, Mitchell-Lama, rent-stabilized apartments, and whose rent is one-third or more of their income - not including air conditioning, auxiliary services and utility charges.

• Income Limits
  Combined total household income from all sources must be less than $26,000, including SSI. This changes to $27,000 on July 1, 2007.

• Resources Limits
  None.

• Government Agency
  NYC Dept. for the Aging, SCRIE
  212-442-1000 or 311
  (for Mitchell-Lama, call the Dept. of Housing Preservation and Development 212-863-8494)

• Benefits
  Sliding scale real estate tax exemption of up to 50%. Renewable every second year.

• Eligibility
  Real estate owners, including cooperatives and condominium owners, 65+, who use the property as their primary residence. Those turning 65 anytime during the year are eligible. Applications must be received by March 15 to qualify for benefits for the following July 1 billing period. Those who are eligible for SCRIE are not eligible for SCHE.

• Income Limits
  Combined total income for all owners from all sources must be less than $26,000 for 50% exemption, $26,001 - $34,400, 5% - 50% exemption. Individuals can deduct documented unreimbursed medical and prescription expenses.

• Resources Limits
  None.

• Government Agency
  NYC Dept. of Finance Customer Assistance Line
  212-504-4080
  www.nyc.gov/finance

• Benefits
  Renters /homeowners $55 - $440.
  If heat included in rent: $40 -$50.
  Grant or energy credit, depending upon income, household size and type of fuel used.

• Eligibility
  Low-income homeowners and renters.

• Income Limits
  Monthly income:
  Individuals: $1,764
  Couples: $2,307.

• Resources Limits
  None.

• Government Agency
  Homebound Heat Line
  212-331-3150
  NYC Dept. for the Aging
  212-442-1000 or 311

• Benefits
  Reduced fare privileges on NYC owned buses and subways - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Reduced Fare benefits are also available on NYC Transit and some private express bus lines during non-rush hours. Available to customers with one of the following forms of identification: Reduced Fare Metro Card or Medicare Card. Reduced Fare Metro Card automatically deducts correct reduced fare, and allows you to transfer free between NYC Transit subways and buses.

• Eligibility
  Persons 65+ and disabled riders.

• Resources Limits
  None.

• Government Agency
  NYC Transit
  718-243-4999 or 311
  mta.info/nyct/fare/rfindex.htm

• 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 below qualifications.

• Eligibility
  Enhanced: 65+ who own and live in a one, two or three family home, condominium or cooperative apartment, whose income is less than $67,850.
  Basic: All residential property owners who live in a one, two or three family home, condominium or cooperative apartment, regardless of age and income.

• Income Limits
  See Eligibility.

• Resources Limits
  None.

• Government Agency
  NYC Dept. of Finance 212-504-4080

• 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.

• Eligibility
  Disabled Riders.

• Resources Limits
  None.

• Government Agency
  Access-a-Ride
  877-337-2017