Benefit Programs
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Medicare |
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HEAP |
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Medicaid |
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► Healthcare |
Retired or working, a person can begin to receive benefits as early as age 62, draw benefits when full retirement age is reached (gradually increasing beyond age 65), at age 70 or any age in between. Monthly amounts may differ substantially based on retirement age.
a)
Monthly benefit is
based on prior work history and a beneficiary may receive higher benefit if
continuing to work.
b) Benefit amount can be estimated online at www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator
c)
Can apply for
benefits online at
www.socialsecurity.gov/applyforbenefits
Persons blind, disabled, or
over age 65, who have low qualifying income and resources.
a)
The basic SSI
amount is the same nationwide. However, many states add money to the basic
benefit.
b)
Rules for getting
SSI depend on countable income and resources.
c)
Call Social
Security Administration: 1-800-772-1213 for more information.
Federal Government health
insurance for people age 65 or older, under 65 and disabled, and persons with
End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). If not eligible for Social Security benefits,
can purchase Medicare. Contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to apply for
Medicare.
a)
Part A: Hospital
Insurance has deductible and coinsurances for acute inpatient hospital services,
limited care in a skilled nursing facility, home health care and hospice care.
b)
Part B: Medical
Insurance has monthly premium, deductible and coinsurances per benefit period
for physician services, outpatient hospital services, ambulance services,
durable medical equipment, and home health care (if not covered under Part A).
c)
Part D:
Prescription Drug Coverage requires Medicaire beneficiaries to have creditable
drug coverage from 2006 when it was created or from the day eligible for
Medicare benefits or face possible penalty. Beneficiary must seek creditable
drug coverage on their own, online at
www.medicare.gov, or through their State Health Insurance Program at the
Office for the Aging, (585) 786-8833 or 1-800-836-0067.
Joint Federal and State
Government program designed to provide health care for low-income individuals
and families.
a).
Certain income and
resource criteria must be met to be eligible. If income/resources exceed limits,
individuals may be eligible for Medicaid with a spend-down.
b).
Comprehensive
coverage for medical care, including most prescription drugs, approved medical
equipment, Medicaid participating physicians services, hospital, nursing home,
home care, and transportation for approved medical services.
c).
Call Wyoming
County Department of Social Services 786-8900.
►Medicare
Savings Programs: QMB, SLMB, QI-1
Provides low-income persons
on Medicare, whose income is slightly above the Medicaid levels, or persons on
Medicare who are also eligible for Medicaid, with help with their Medicare
premiums, deductibles and coinsurance.
a) Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB), Specified Low-Income Beneficiary (SLMB), and Qualified Individual-1 (QI-1)Programs each have different income eligibility criteria.
b.) Resources not considered.
c.) May deduct health insurance premiums for qualifying purposes.
d.) Persons on any one of
these programs may receive varied benefits including automatic qualification for
Social Security Extra Help, subsidy of Part D premiums, partial to full waiver
of EPIC fees, low co-payments for prescription drugs.
e.)
Contact the
Wyoming County Office for th Aging at (585)786-8833 or 1-800-836-0067, or the
Department of Social Services at (585)786-8900.
For
low-income households. Eligibility
is NOT guaranteed as housing and medical expenses are used to determine
eligibility and benefit amount.
a).
Benefit card can
be used to purchase food items.
b).
Benefit value
depends on size, income and expenses of household.
c).
Contact the
Wyoming County Department of Social Services at (585)786-8900. Website:
►EPIC
Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage
New York State's pharmacy
assistance program that helps seniors pay for their prescription drugs.
a). EPIC covers almost all prescription medicines, brand name or generic, as well as insulin and insulin syringes.
b.) Most EPIC enrollees have
Medicare Part D or other drug coverage, and use EPIC to lower their drug costs
even more by helping them pay the deductibles and co-payments required by their
drug plan.
c).
Premiums and
deductibles are based on income.
d).
Contact EPIC at 1-800-332-3742 or
online at
www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/epic/faq.htm
a.) Explanation of Medicare benefits, Advantage plans, Medigap and supplemental health insurance policies and Private Fee For Service Plans (PFFS).
b.) Help finding creditable Part D drug coverage.
c.) Explanation of bills and
statements concerning health insurance coverage.
d.) Complaint reporting for
high pressure sales tactics and fraud.
e).
Claims and appeals assistance.
f).
Information on long term care insurance
Available at
Benefits
Non-service-connected wartime veterans and their dependents.
a)
Located at
Financial help for winter heating costs to income eligible households (owners
and renters).
a).
Gross monthly
income limits (do not include Medicare Premium).
b.) Basic HEAP: No resource
limits. Emergency HEAP: If threatened with a shut-off notice, $0 resources
allowed.
c).
Applications available at:
(585)786-8833. Web site:
Provides home repairs to
weatherize a home for energy efficiency. These repairs may include window
replacement, insulation, caulking, weather stripping, broken glass repair, and
furnace repair or replacement.
a).
An applicant may
qualify if they are eligible for HEAP benefits and the needs are certified by an
energy audit.
b).
Contact the Office
for the Aging at (585) 786-8833 or 1-800-836-0067.
Tax credit or check to
homeowners and renters who pay a high percent of income on rent or property
taxes for Homeowners and renters who meet financial eligibility criteria; based
on income, and either property taxes or amount of rent paid.
a).
Maximum yearly
household gross income: $18,000. Homeowners, market value of home cannot exceed
$85,000. Renters: adjusted average rent must not exceed $450. No resource limit.
b).
Amount of refund
depends on percentage of income spent on property tax or rent. Maximum rebate
$75 if under 65, $375 if 65 plus. Applications may be submitted for 3 prior
years with an April 15th deadline.
c).
For forms call
1-800-462-8100 and Tax Dept. Info: 1-800-225-5829.
►Property
Tax Exemption (STAR)
Real estate owners 65 plus
who use property exclusively as their legal residence. Benefit for Veterans may
differ. Veterans of any age should call for additional information.
a).
Can be as high as
50% of property taxes on homestead. Application dates: Call your village or town
offices for dates and rates.
b).
Contact village or
town where taxes are paid for an application. Veterans call Veterans Service:
786-8860.
c).
Website:
www.orps.state.ny.us/star/index.cfm.