Benefit Programs
Retired workers 65 plus or 62
plus (reduced benefit) who have worked at least 40 quarters (fewer if born
before 1929); disabled workers; surviving spouses and/or children.
a)
Ages 62-64:
Benefit is reduced $1 for each $2 earned over limit of $11,520/year. If born in
1928: Benefit is reduced $1 for each $3 earned over limit of $30,720/year;
after turning 65, there is no limit. No resource limit.
b)
Monthly benefit
is based on prior employment and amount withheld from earnings.
c)
Located at
►SSI:Supplemental
Security Income
Persons blind, disabled, or
65 plus, who have low income and resources. Provides a monthly cash benefit,
based on financial need, to supplement income of eligible applicants.
a)
Unearned income/month: Single $651, Couple
$950. Resource Limits: Single $2,000, Couple $3,000 plus
burial account. Exemptions: home, car, some life insurance, personal and household
goods up to $2,000.
b)
Monthly cash
benefit depends upon amount of other income, amount of rent or mortgage
expense, and whether the applicant lives alone or with others.
c)
Call Social Security
Administration: 1-800-772-1213.
Persons 65 plus who are
eligible for Social Security or Railroad Retirement Benefits, and others 65
plus who may purchase coverage although not categorically eligible for it. If a
person receives SSI, Medicare coverage will begin in 24 months. Those with
chronic renal disease are eligible at any age.
a)
No income and
resource limit.
b)
Part A: Hospital
Ins. No premium, but has deductible & co-pays. Unlimited coverage for acute
hospital care after $840 deductible per benefit period; limited skilled care in
a skilled nursing facility; limited home care and hospice care. Part B: Medical
Ins. Monthly premium of $58.70 & deductibles & co-pays. Doctors,
outpatient service and durable medical equipment; $100/year deductible. No
prescription coverage.
c)
Call Social Security Administration: 1-800-772-1213
or 1-800-442-8430 (Information & Complaints) Medicare (1-800-633-4227).
Website: www.medicare.gov
Persons blind, disabled, or
65 plus, who have low income and resources; or persons under 60 who meet social services’ home relief rules. (If
income/resources exceed limits, persons may be eligible for Medicaid with a
spenddown.)
a).
Monthly income
limits: Single: $662, Couple: $954.
Resource limits: Single: $3,850, Couple: $5,600 plus burial account. Exemptions:
home, car, health premiums, and support payments.
b).
Comprehensive
coverage for medical care, including most prescription drugs; approved medical
equipment; Medicaid participating MD services; hospital; nursing home; home
care and transportation for approved medical services.
c).
Comprehensive
Health Care Coverage
d).
Call Wyoming
County Department of Social Services 786-8900.
QMB: Qualified Medicare
Beneficiary, SLMB:
Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary,
QI-1: Qualified Individual-1. Persons on Medicare whose income and
resources are slightly above the Medicaid levels, OR persons on Medicare who
are also eligible for Medicaid. Gross monthly income levels (including Medicare
premium, but minus one Medigap premium).
a)
QMB: Single $794,
Couple $1065
SLMB:
Single $795/$952, Couples: $1066/$1278
QI-1:
Single $952/$1071, Couple: $1278/$1438
Resource
limits: QMB, SLMB, QI-1
Single $4,000 Couple $6,000 plus burial account.
b.
Contact the Wyoming County Department of Social
Services at 786-8900. Website: www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/medicaid/ldss.htm
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. Minimum benefit: $10,
Maximum benefit: Single: $139
Couple $256.
c).
Contact the Wyoming County Department of Social
Services at 786-8900. Website: www.otda.state.ny.us/otda/fs/fs_default.htm
►EPIC
Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage
Persons 65 plus whose health
insurance, if any, covers less than 60% of prescription drug expenses. Medicaid
recipients are generally not eligible.
a).
Covers
approximately 60% of prescription drug costs. Yearly income limits: Single
$35,000, Couple: $50,000 No resource limits.
b).
Premiums and
deductibles are based on income. Beneficiary co-pays, when applicable, range
from $3 to no more than $20 per prescription.
c).
Contact your
pharmacy or call the EPIC Hot Line: 1-800-332-3742. Website: www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/epic/faq.htm
Non-service-connected
wartime veterans and their dependents.
a)
Located at
Home Energy
Assistance Program. Financial help
for winter heating costs to income eligible households (owners and renters).
a).
Gross monthly
income limits (do not include Medicare Premium): Single $1,010 Couple: $2226. Basic HEAP: No resource
limits. Emergency HEAP: If threatened with a shut-off notice, $0 resources
allowed.
b).
HEAP Hot line: 786-8833. Web site: www.aging.state.ny.us/findhelp/lofa.htm
Weatherization (WRAP)
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.