Dear Neighbor:

I hope you are enjoying the warmer weather and longer days. This newsletter contains an updated summary of information regarding benefits and programs targeted to seniors in New York State. As benefit eligibility requirements and contact numbers change from year to year, I urge you to take a close look to make sure you are not missing out on entitlements you might be qualified to receive.

It has been a busy winter in Albany, and the Assembly has worked hard to include important issues to seniors on the agenda. In March, the Assembly passed a legislative package aimed at protecting New York’s senior citizens from violence, predatory financial practices and consumer fraud. Many of the constituents that seek help from my office are senior citizens, and the rise in exploitation and fraud cases that I hear about on a daily basis is unconscionable. An estimated 30,000 seniors are victims of some form of abuse or exploitation in our state. The National Center for Elderly Abuse projects this estimate to be conservative, noting that only one in six elderly abuse cases are reported. The legislative package passed by the Assembly targets the worst offenders by strengthening penalties for fraud and violence. For example, one bill increases penalties for scam artists who dupe multiple victims. Another piece of legislation adds an experienced elder law attorney to the state’s Crime Victims Board, providing valuable perspective for cases involving older New Yorkers. A third bill in the package prevents debt collectors from seizing Social Security, Social Security Disability, Supplemental Security and veterans’ benefits in bank accounts containing up to $2,500; the bill also gives notice to debtors that such funds are exempt, and bars banks from charging processing fees against those protected assets. The stricter punishments for perpetrating these crimes and the safeguards established to prevent predatory behavior take a step in the right direction toward ending these pernicious practices.

As many of you know, I have been working for over a year on developing an Upper West Side Senior Pedestrian Safety Plan. We have been successful in gaining the ear of the Mayor, who has in the last few months announced his intention to implement senior pedestrian safety measures in many neighborhoods across the city. I have met with the New York City Department of Transportation about ensuring that many of the changes developed by the active participants here on the Upper West Side become a reality on our streets.

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 2008 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 withheld from benefits, but only counting earnings before the month you reach the full benefit retirement age.
A person who attains age 65 in 2008 can earn up to $36,120 with no loss of benefits.
Earning limit for persons under 65 - $13,560.
For every $2 earned over the limit, $1 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 - $724*
Couples - $1060*
Individuals living with others - $660*
Couples - $1002*
Individuals living in another household - $447*
Couples - $683.34*
*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 affects 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 1st through 60th day of hospitalization is $1024, co-insurance payments thereafter.

• Eligibility
Persons 65+ who:
A. are eligible for Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits;
B. wish to purchase coverage, though they are not eligible for the above benefits;
C. are disabled workers entitled for 24 months of disability;
D. 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; $96.40 premium per month; $135 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. Enrollees pay a monthly premium that varies by plan and pay a share of the cost of their prescriptions.

• Eligibility
Everyone with Medicare is eligible for this coverage, regardless of income and resources, health status or current prescription expenses. The next enrollment period is from November 15, 2008 to December 31, 2008. If you enroll in the next period, your coverage will start on January 1, 2009.
If you don’t sign up when you are first eligible you may pay a penalty.

• 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: $887 /month, $4,000 in resources
Couples: $1,187 /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 - $1,060 /month, $4,000 in resources.
Couples - $1,420 /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 - $725 /month*
Couples - $1067 /month*
When 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
Exemption: 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
Must meet requirements.

• 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.

• 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.

• Administering Company
Verizon
To apply for LifeLine call Verizon directly at 800-483-2000.
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 household monthly income - not including air conditioning, auxiliary services and utility charges.

• Income Limits
Combined total household income from all sources for the previous tax year cannot exceed $27,000. This changes to $28,000 on July 1, 2008.

• 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, ranging from 5% to 50%, depending on income. 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 $27,000 for 50% exemption, $27,001 - $35,399, 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 $120 - $540. 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. Eligibility is based on household size and monthly income.

• Income Limits
Monthly income:
Individuals: $1,876
Couples: $2,454

• 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 and the Staten Island Ferry - 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 $70,650.
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 will need to go to an assessment center in the borough where they live as part of the eligibility determination process.

• Resources Limits
None.

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