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New York · How-To Guide

How do I find and access senior services?

Area Agency on Aging (AAA) - county level (NY has 59 AAAs) / NYC Department for the Aging - DFTA (NYC - separate and extensive) / New York State Office for the Aging - NYSOFA (state level)
Details

What you need to know

Fee
Most services free or on sliding scale ONLINE OPTION: Yes - nyconnects.ny.gov; nyc.gov/aging; ny.gov/services/senior-services WHERE TO GO: NY Connects (1-800-342-9871); your county AAA; NYC DFTA (for NYC); 2-1-1 NY
Online Option
Yes - nyconnects.ny.gov; nyc.gov/aging; ny.gov/services/senior-services
Where to Go
NY Connects (1-800-342-9871); your county AAA; NYC DFTA (for NYC); 2-1-1 NY
County-specific variations apply

NYC (DFTA) offers by far the most extensive senior services in New York State - borough senior centers, home care coordination, transportation, and more. Nassau and Suffolk Counties (Long Island) also have strong systems. Large upstate counties (Erie/Buffalo, Monroe/Rochester, Onondaga/Syracuse, Albany, Westchester) have established AAAs. Very rural Adirondack and North Country counties (Hamilton, Essex, Franklin, St. Lawrence, Lewis, etc.) may have very limited local senior services and significant travel distances.

New York Notes

Important state-specific details

  • HIICAP (Health Insurance Information, Counseling and Assistance Program): NY's free Medicare counseling - contact your county AAA or NYSOFA at (518) 474-5731.
  • CONSUMER DIRECTED PERSONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (CDPAP): NY Medicaid program allowing qualifying individuals to hire and direct their own personal care workers (including family members in some cases); very popular in NY; apply through NY Managed Long Term Care plan.
  • ENHANCED STAR (school tax relief): Senior homeowners 65+ with income ≤ $110,750 receive $70,700 reduction in school assessed value; apply at tax.ny.gov/star.
  • HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program): assists low-income seniors with heating costs; contact your county DSS/social services; important in NY's cold climate.
  • Adult Protective Services (APS): report elder abuse through county DSS/APS; statewide line: (800) 342-3009.
Official Source

State office contact

State Office
NY State Office for the Aging - aging.ny.gov | (518) 474-5731; NY Connects: nyconnects.ny.gov | 1-800-342-9871; NYC DFTA: nyc.gov/aging | (212) 244-6469; APS: (800) 342-3009; 2-1-1 NY: dial 211