| Our Programs |
Benefits Entitlements and Financial Assistance |
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Medicare This program provides health insurance for persons 65 and older, certain disabled persons and for people in the final stage of renal (kidney) disease. The Social Security Administration takes applications for Medicare and provides information. (Apply 3 months before 65th birthday to avoid penalty.) For information you can call the Medicare Hot Line at 1-800-638-6833 or TTY-TDD 1-800-820-1202. Medicare has two types of benefits: Hospital Insurance (Part A) - helps pay for inpatient hospital care, limited inpatient care in a skilled nursing facility, home health care and hospice care. Part A has deductibles and co-insurance, but most people do not have to pay premiums for Part A. Medical Insurance (Part B) - helps pay for doctor’s services, outpatient hospital services, durable medical equipment and a number of other medical services and supplies that are not covered by Part A. Part B has premiums, deductibles and co-insurance that you must pay yourself or through coverage by another insurance plan. Medicare beneficiaries in many counties can choose whether to receive their Medicare through “Original” Medicare (also called fee-for-service or traditional Medicare), or whether to join a Medicare+ Choice Plan (also called Medicare health maintenance organization or managed care plan). If you need help with Medicare, you can call the Columbia County Office for the Aging and ask to speak with a health insurance counselor. You can also call the National Medicare Choices Helpline at 1-800-633-4227 or TTY-TDD 1-877-486-2084 for information about the Medicare choices available in your area. Long Term Care Insurance The New York State Partnership for Long Term Care is a unique program that combines private long term care insurance and Medicaid to help New Yorkers prepare financially for the possibility of needing nursing home or home care. The program allows older persons to protect their assets while remaining eligible for Medicaid if their income qualifies them and their long term care needs exceed the period covered by their private insurance policy. For information about the New York State Partnership for Long Term Care you can call 1-888-697-7582. New York State and the federal government have joined to help low-income Medicare beneficiaries with their out-of-pocket expenses through a number of specialized programs administered by local Departments of Social Services. For information about any of these programs, or any others that may be available, call (518) 828-9411. Qualified Medicare Beneficiary Program (QMB) This program is for people with limited resources whose incomes are at or below the national poverty level. It covers the costs of the Medicare premiums, co-insurance and deductibles and co-payments that Medicare beneficiaries normally pay out of their own pockets. Call the Department of Social Services at 518-828-9411. Specified Low Income Beneficiary Program (SLMB) This program is for people whose incomes are up to 120 percent of the poverty level. If you qualify for assistance under the SLMB program, you will not have to pay the Medicare monthly Part B premium. Call the Department of Social Services at 518-828-9411. Qualified Individual 1 (QI1) This program is for people whose incomes between 120 and 135 percent of the poverty level and with limited resources. If you qualify for this program, you will not have to pay the Medicare monthly Part B premium. Call the Department of Social Services at 518-828-9411. Qualified Individual 2 (QI2) This program is for people with incomes between 135 and 175 percent of poverty level and limited resources. If you qualify for this program, you will save on a portion of your Medicare Part B premium. Call the Department of Social Services at 518-828-9411. Counseling on Entitlement Programs
SSI is a federal program that makes monthly payments to people who have limited income and resources if they are 65 or older or if they are blind or have another disability. Being eligible for SSI means receiving a monthly check. In addition, individuals may receive Medicaid, Food Stamps and other social services.
Medicaid pays for medical care and assistance for individuals and families with very limited assets and income who cannot afford to pay all of their medical bills. This program provides medical assistance for people 65 or older, blind or disabled who are eligible for SSI or for those who have too little income and resources to meet medical needs. Medicaid pays for medical care and assistance for individuals and families with very limited assets and income who cannot afford to pay all of their medical bills. It is especially valuable to older people with serious, recurring health problems because they often cannot meet all of their medical expenses from Medicare alone. A person may be eligible for partial assistance or for complete medical coverage depending on his/her monthly income and assets. Some Medicaid recipients pay a co-payment for some services. Medicaid pays for prescription drugs and long term health care for eligible individuals. It also may pay the cost of Medicare Part B and other private health insurance. Medicaid also pays for long-term care services for people after they “spend down” their assets to qualify for benefits. Food Stamps The Food Stamp Program provides monthly benefits that help low income households buy the food they need for good health. The amount of food stamps a household may receive is based on the U.S. department of Agriculture’s Thrifty Food Plan, which is an estimate of how much it actually costs to provide your household with nutritious but inexpensive meals." Reverse Mortgage Loans for Senior Citizens A reverse mortgage is a loan which borrows on the value (equity) of a home. Such loans can be used to pay for daily living expenses, taxes, home health care, home repair or any other use preferred by the homeowner. More information can be obtained by contacting the New York State Banking Department at 1-800-522-3330. Emergency Assistance for Adults (EAA) A state program which meets the emergency financial needs of people who are eligible for or are receiving SSI, EAA provides assistance in hardship situations, such as replacing lost, stolen or not received SSI checks, or providing funds to cover food needs or to prevent eviction or utility shut-off. |
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