Explore here to find helpful links to free services, assistance, applications and more…
Medicare Savings Program
Here are instructions to complete an application provided by the New York State Department of Health
Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
An overview of Heap and the application form
NY State Medicaid Application
Here is a downloadable copy of the application used for Medicaid in New York State
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
An overview of SNAP, to apply use your NY State MyBenefits account or use – follow this link to create a new account
Local (non-profit) Service Agencies
Alzheimers Association of Lower Hudson Valley – Leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research.
Cancer Support Team – Wide range of free services assists with access to care, professional nursing, counseling, case management, and other supportive services for any southern Westchester County residents with a primary diagnosis of cancer.
DOROT Westchester – In-home visits and creative programs that build vital social connections in person, over the phone and within the community. Their University Without Walls offers hundreds of classes across a wide range of interests.
Family Services of Westchester- Older Adults – Program options that support seniors and meet their special needs.
Feeding Westchester – Mobile Food Pantry – Information on Feeding Westchester’s Mobile Food Pantry and Fresh Market.
Jawonio – Provides lifespan services for individuals with developmental disabilities, behavioral health challenges, and chronic medical conditions.
Legal Services of the Hudson Valley – Provides a wide range of advocacy and legal representation to elderly clients in practice areas including housing, benefits, Medicaid, future planning, home care cases as well as Social Security and SSI Disability Claims
Live With Care – Information and resources about living with serious illness and end of life. Produced by the Westchester End of Life Coalition (WELC).
Free health clinics – Services are available through the Open Door. Find out more here.
Phone numbers for key county resources related to … Personal Care Services, Caregiver Services, Medical House Calls, Hearing Care (hearing aid assistance for low income), Dental Assistance, Application Assistance, Vision Assistance, Food Stamp Application Assistance, Housing Issues (eviction, reverse mortgage, foreclosure, senior apt share, rental listings), Housing Other, Transportation, NYSARC Application Assistance, Organizations Servicing the Disabled, Frequently Used Contacts, and Community Health Centers.
RideConnect of Westchester County – RideConnect both provides rides. and directs you to where rides can be found, for trips to the doctor, the supermarket, the library and more.
Starkey Hearing Foundation – Hear Now – Can provide financial assistance to get hearing aids.
Touro College of Dental Medicine – A dental teaching facility located at in Hawthorne NY (NY Medical College campus). Claims a savings of 30% to 50% on routine and advanced dental procedures. Call (914)594-2700 or email them at dentalhealth@touro.edu.
Westchester Independent Living Center (WILC) – Works within the community to provide Education, Disability Awareness, and Advocacy for the Removal of Barriers. SBIC actively refers patrons to WILC for help with medicaid and taps their services to provide Spanish-language interpreters at scheduled appointments.
Westchester Institute for Human Development – Equipment Loan Program: Supporting Seniors and Adults in the Community.
Westchester Jewish Community Services – Senior Services – Comprehensive services and supports that address a multitude of needs for Westchester’s older adults.
Westchester Residential Opportunities, Inc. for Seniors – Comprehensive housing counseling program to residents of Westchester County who are age sixty and over. Click here for flyer.
WestFair Rides – A new transportation alternative for older adults (aged 60+) and adults with vision disabilities in Westchester County, NY.
New York State Government
EPIC application & contact information – The Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC) program is a New York State program for seniors administered by the Department of Health. It helps more than 270,000 income-eligible seniors aged 65 and older to supplement their out-of-pocket Medicare Part D drug plan costs.
My Benefits – Prescreening tool which provides a quick and easy way for people who live in New York State to find out if they are eligible for certain programs.
New York State Office for the Aging – Health Insurance Information, Counseling & Assistance (HIICAP aka SHIP)
N.Y.S. Department of Financial Services – The DFS offers general tools and information to help safely navigate complicated decisions about insurance, borrowing, and planning for long-term care. Use this link to get a comparison table of MediGap plans for your area. Enter your zipcode on the field indicated.
N.Y.S. Medicaid – Information on Medicaid in New York State
NY State Health Exchange
To find a Navigator, contact one of these organizations:
- Westchester County Department of Health – Call the Navigator Information Line at (914) 813- 5192 or hnav@westchestergov.com. Click here for a complete list of sites in Westchester county. Click here for a complete list of sites in New York State.
- Westchester Disabled on the Move – Call (914) 968-4717 ext. 23 or 25
- Young Invincibles – Call (914) 979-1747 or (914) 458-2294.
- Business Council of Westchester – Call (914) 948-2110 ext. 311 to make an appointment.
Additionally, clients of selected local health centers can receive assistance in enrollment. Centers include: The Open Door, Hudson River Health Care, and Mount Vernon.
The NY State of Health: The Official Health Plan Marketplace (http://www.nystateofhealth.ny.gov) is the official site for the state’s health insurance marketplace serving individuals, families, and small business owners. Use this site to access information, tools, and enroll.
HealthCare.gov – The Federal Government’s site for information about the Health Benefit Exchanges & health coverage for individuals, families, and small businesses.
Other Benefits
Alzheimer’s Association – 24/7 Helpline 800-272-3900
Benefits Check-Up Survey – Answer some questions to find benefit programs that can help you pay for medications, health care, food, utilities and more. (National site)
Choice Magazine Listening – A free audio magazine for adults with impaired vision or other disability. (Reviewed at July 2015 WSOS Update)
The Homeward Bound Dentist – An important service for those who are homebound; service area includes Westchester County.
Elder Abuse Resources – List of county resources.
Federal Trade Commission Consumer Information – See their resources on Health Information for Older People, which covers topics ranging from hiring care givers to assessing nursing homes and avoiding scams.
National Council on Aging – A resource for information on the health and economic security of seniors, including benefits access, home equity, falls prevention and chronic conditions. Sign up for their newsletter.
Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs – Online & print editions about Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents and Survivors.
Transportation – Listing of organizations in Westchester that offer transportation services. Broken down by area.
Prescription Assistance
Application for Extra Help With Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Costs – This is an application for Extra Help and does not enroll you in a Medicare prescription drug plan. You will have to enroll directly with an approved Medicare prescription drug provider for coverage.
EPIC Application (pdf)- Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage Program Brochure and Application. To review 2018 highlights and income guidelines, go to EPIC Program Highlights 2018 (pdf) Information number: 1(800) 332-3742.
Join EPIC to save more with Medicare Part D/EPIC Co-Payments
Social Security Administration
U.S. Social Security Administration – main page
Veterans
eBenefits (Veterans Administration Benefits portal) – Facilitates application and management of benefits (education, health, pension). Can use to make appointments and refill prescriptions.
FAVOR – Veteran Discount Card Program – “Find and Assist Veterans of Record” program where local businesses offer discounts on their goods or services to men and women who have proudly served in the U.S. Armed Forces.
VA Caregiver Support – Free support line for caregiver/caregiving questions 855-260-3274. Web site provides comprehensive benefits information.
VA Healthcare Sign-Up Day – 3rd Thursday of each month – at 112 East Post Road, 4th floor, Room 442, White Plains NY.
Westchester County Government
Assistance for Veterans – Westchester County Service Agency shares information for Veterans and their dependents so they can receive maximum benefits from the federal Department of Veterans Affairs and other agencies at all levels of government.
Department of Senior Programs and Services (DSPS) – Main Page of DSPS. Links to frequently used publications.
DSS Office Sites, Hours & Phone Numbers – District Offices provide services including Medicaid, SNAP, Temporary Assistance & Homeless Services.
Expanded In-Home Services – EISEP, helps individuals age 60 or older who need help with activities such as eating, dressing, bathing or toileting or need help with activities such as cooking, shopping, laundry or housekeeping and find that some of these needs cannot be met by friends or relatives.
Family Caregiver Support Program – Up-to-date information about community resources and services available to help in a caregiving role.
Nutrition Programs & Site Directory – The Nutrition Program provides meals and services for adults, 60 years and older.
Senior Clubs and Centers– Lists of clubs and centers for seniors listed by municipality alphabetically.
