• Benefits
Monthly cash payments based on years of employment and amount withheld from earnings.

• Eligibility
Retiree and spouse, if spouse is 62+, or with dependent child. The earliest age for a retiree to receive Social Security benefits is at age 62, at which time they will receive only partial benefits to account for the fact that they will be paid over a longer period of time. In order to qualify for full benefits, the retiree must not retire until they reach the full retirement age, or FRA, which varies by year of birth. For those born in 1937 or earlier, the FRA is 65. For those born later than 1937, the FRA gradually increases - for example, for those born in 1940 the FRA is 65 and 6 months.

• Income Limits
Individuals under the FRA may earn up to $12,000, above which $1 will be withheld from benefits for every $2 earned. The individual may earn up to $31,800 prior to reaching the FRA in the year that they reach the FRA, above which $1 will be withheld from benefits for every $3 earned. For individuals above the FRA, there is no limit on earnings.

• Resource Limits
None.

	Assemblyman Dinowitz, Congressman Eliot Engel and United States Senator Joseph Lieberman celebrate the opening of the Jacob Reingold Pavilion at the Hebrew Home for the Aged at Riverdale.

• Government Agency
Social Security Administration:
1(800)772-1213

Social Security Survivor Benefits

• Benefits
Payments based upon work record of deceased.

• Eligibility
Widow/Widower, age 60+ (or 50+ and Disabled); Dependent parents age 62 or older; Widow/Widower of any age with a dependent child (under 16 or disabled) will receive 75% of the original benefits;

• Government Agency
Social Security Administration:
1(800)772-1213

Social Security Disability Benefits

• Benefits
Payments based upon sufficient work prior to onset of disability.

• Eligibility
Disabled individual of any age, and spouse, if spouse is 62+, or with dependent child. Work requirements vary by age, and you must have worked long enough to receive the appropriate amount of “work credits.” The amount of credits necessary is dependent on when you became disabled.

• Government Agency
Social Security Administration:
1(800)772-1213

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

• Benefits
Monthly cash payment
Individual: $579
Couple: $869

• Eligibility
People with limited incomes who are over 65, blind, or disabled.

• Income Limits*
Individuals living alone: $666.00
Person living with others, but paying his or her own expenses: $602.00
Person living in someone else’s household and receiving support and maintenance: $409.00
Person living in public general hospital or Medicaid-approved long-term facility: $35.00
Couple living alone: $973.00
Couple living with others, but paying their own expenses: $915.00
Couple living in someone else’s household and receiving support and maintenance: $625.34

*The first $20 of earned (wages) or unearned (monthly benefits, pensions, gifts) income is exempt. An additional $65 is exempt from earned income, then SSI paymets are reduced by one-half the remaining earned income in a month.

	Assemblyman Dinowitz is shown with a neighborhood resident filling out his Express Bus Survey. Hundreds and hundreds of residents used the Dinowitz survey to express their dissatisfaction with the MTA’s Express Bus

• Resource Limits
Individuals: $2,000. Couples: $3,000.
Exemptions: $1,500 per individual for burial fund; home; car up to $4,500; personal and household goods up to $2,000.

• Government Agency
Social Security Administration:
1(800)772-1213

Medicare Part A - Hospital Insurance Program

• Benefits
Limited coverage for acute hospital care, skilled nursing facility, hospice and homecare. For acute hospital care, there is a $912 deductible for each benefit period of up to 60 days.

• Eligibility
Persons 65+ who are eligible for Social Security or railroad benefits, disabled workers of any age after entitlement to disability for 24 months, and persons of any age with chronic kidney disease. Those over 65 who are not eligible under any of the above categories may purchase Medicare coverage by paying a monthly premium.

• Income Limits
None.

• Resource Limits
None.

• Government Agency
Social Security Administration:
1(800)772-1213
Empire Medicare Services:
1(800)442-8430

Medicare Part B - Supplemental Medical Insurance

• Benefits
Optional; partial coverage for physician, outpatient clinic, certain home health services, diagnostic tests and durable medical equipment. There is a $100 per year deductible and a $78.20 per month premium which can be deducted from ones Social Security, Railroad Retirement, or Civil Service retirement check, or can be billed tri-monthly.

• Eligibility
Same as Medicare Part A.

• Income Limits
None.

• Resource Limits
None.

• Government Agency
Social Security Administration:
1(800)772-1213
Empire Medicare Services:
1(800)442-8430

Medicare Buy-In Program
(Medicaid/Medicare Dual Eligible Program)

• Benefits
Depending on income, Medicaid will pay the monthly premiums for Medicare Part A or B and may pay deductibles and coinsurance.

• Eligibility
For Medicare beneficiaries who are not eligible for Medicaid, but need assistance paying for Medicare Part B.

• Income Limits
At the following income limits, program pays for Medicare premiums and deductibles.

	Assemblyman Dinowitz is pictured surrounded by seniors at the Van Cortlandt Senior Center.

• Income limits for 2005:
QMB (covers premiums, co-payments, deductibles and co-insurance) Individuals - $798/month; Couples - $1,070/month (100% + $20)*
SLMB (recipient must have Part A, covers part B premiums only)
Individuals - $757/month; Couples-$1,283/month (120% + $20)*
QI-One (recipient must have Part A, covers Part B premiums only)
Individuals - $1,077/month; Couples - $1,444/month (135% + $20)*
QDWI (Includes additional earned income limits, covers Part A premiums only. Must be disabled, under 65, and have lost Part A due to return to work.)
Individuals - $1,595/month; Couples - $2,139/month (200% + $20)*
* $20 = amount of the monthly SSI income disregard

• Resource Limits
Individuals: $4,000+$1,500 for burial fund;
Couples: $6,000+$1,500 for burial fund

• Government Agency
Social Security Administration:
1(800)772-1213
New York State Medicaid Hotline:
1(800)541-2831

Medicaid Full Coverage

• Benefits
Comprehensive coverage for prescription drugs, dental care, hospital, physician, laboratory tests, skilled nursing facility, health related facilities, home attendant care and home health aide care, coinsurance and deductibles for nursing home care, mental health care, medical equipment and appliances such as wheelchairs, and transportation to medical appointments.

• Eligibility
Persons 65+, blind, or disabled who meet income and resource eligibility.

• Income Limits
Individuals: $667 + $20*/month;
Couples: $975 + $20*/month.
When one spouse is institutionalized and receiving Medicaid, the other spouse, while not receiving Medicaid, may retain $2,378 in monthly income and $95,100 maximum in assets.
* First $20 income is exempt

• Resource Limits
Individuals: $4,000.
Couples: $6,000.
Exempt: $1,500 for burial; home; car; health insurance premiums.

• Government Agency
Medical Assistance Program
Application for Medicaid made at offices throughout New York City.
HRA Hotline: 1(718)557-1399 or 1(877) 472-8411

Medicaid Excess Income Program

• Benefits
Medicaid coverage as described in Medicaid Full Coverage section, but on a month to month basis after the use of excess income to cover medical costs. Hospital coverage requires spend down of 6 months excess.

• Eligibility
Those eligible for this program fall into one of the eligible categories, but have income slightly above the limit. To receive benefits, you must “spend down” by paying the amount of excess income or by showing that your medical expenses are greater than the difference between your income and the limit.

• Income Limits
No maximum income, but medical expenses must reduce net income to Medicaid eligible levels or the recipient must pay all excess income.

• Resource Limits
Same as Medicaid.

• Government Agency
HRA Hotline: 1(718)557-1399 or 1(877) 472-8411

Food Stamps

• Benefits
Monthly allotment of coupons for purchasing nutritious food items; coupons are used in the place of cash at grocery stores or supermarkets. Dollar value depends on household size and income.

• Eligibility
Low income households. If eligible, you will receive Food Stamp Assistance in 30 days. Certain Households, with little income or savings, or with high shelter costs, can receive Food Stamps benefits within five days. You do not have to be out of work to apply for Food Stamps, and you may own your own home and car and still be eligible.

Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz and Jacobi Medical Center/ North Central Bronx Hospital recently sponsored a free health screening. Seniors at the Riverdale YM-YWHA were offered screenings for asthma, bone density, alcohol, depression, blood pressure and stroke screening, as well as nutritional information regarding obesity and diabetes. Pictured are Lydia Campoamor Associate Director of Marketing, Public & Community Relations at North–Central Bronx Hospital/Jacobi Medical Center, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz and seniors at the Riverdale Y.

• Income Limits
Family of 1:
Maximum Monthly Income: $1,037
Maximum Monthly Income (60+/disabled): $1,316
Family of 2:
Maximum Monthly Income: $1,390
Maximum Monthly Income (60+/disabled): $1,765
Family of 3:
Maximum Monthly Income: $1,744
Maximum Monthly Income (60+/disabled): $2213
Family of 4:
Maximum Monthly Income: $2,097
Maximum Monthly Income (60+/disabled): $2,661
Family of 5:
Maximum Monthly Income: $2,450
Family of 6:
Maximum Monthly Income: $2,803
Maximum Monthly Income (60+/disabled): $3,558
Family of 7:
Maximum Monthly Income: $3,156
Maximum Monthly Income (60+/disabled): $4,006
Family of 8:
Maximum Monthly Income: $3,509
Maximum Monthly Income (60+/disabled): $4,454
Each Additional Member: + $354 (60+/disabled: + $449)

• Resource Limits
None.

• Government Agency
HRA Hotline: 1(718)557-1399 or 1(877) 472-8411

Emergency Assistance for Adults (EAA)

• Benefits
Cash payments for food, rent, moving expenses, utilities, furniture, repairs, etc. in case of emergency.

• Eligibility
SSI-eligible persons or currently receiving SSI; with a documented need for assistance.

• Income Limits
Same as for SSI.

• Resource Limits
Same as for SSI.

• Government Agency
HRA Hotline: 1(718)557-1399 or 1(877) 472-8411

Lifeline Telephone Service

• Benefits
Reduces cost of basic telephone service to as little as $1.00 a month for basic service.

• Eligibility
Persons eligible to receive assistance benefits from at least one of these programs: Medicaid, Food Stamps, SSI, HEAP, Veterans non-service related Disability Pension and Veterans’ Surviving Spouse Pension, Safety Net Assistance, Family Assistance. The person receiving aid from one of the above programs must be the one whose name appears on the phone bill, and must be 18+.

• Income Limits
See eligibility.

• Resource Limits
See eligibility.

• Government Agency
Verizon Telephone: 1(800) 501-1754

Meals on Wheels

• Benefits
Delivers hot or cold meals to homebound elderly.

• Eligibility
Those over 60 with a chronic disability such that they cannot shop for and prepare their own food, and who do not have a home attendant.

• Government Agency
For information contact RAIN (Regional Aid for Interim Needs) (718) 824-0400

Elderly Crime Victims Resource Center

• Benefits
Provides emergency financial assistance and supportive services to crime victims over the age of 60. This program offers counseling, crisis intervention, advocacy, referrals to the appropriate agencies for help in replacing important documents, limited financial assistance, and installation of security devices, as well as presentations with speaker and relevant literature.

• Eligibility
Over 60 years of age based upon need and an assessment.

• Government Agency
Department for the Aging (212) 442-3103

Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE)

• Benefits
Relief from obligation to pay rent increases; landlord is compensated by reduction in real estate taxes.

• Eligibility
Persons 62+, who live in rent-controlled, rent-regulated, or rent-stabilized apartments, or in Mitchell-Lama or other Federally assisted co-ops, and whose rent is at least one-third of their income, not including air conditioning and utility charges.

• Income Limits
Combined total household income from all sources must be less than $25,000, including Social Security Income.

• Resource Limits
None.

• Government Agency
New York City Dept. for the Aging, SCRIE, 2 Lafayette Street, 6th Floor New York, NY 10007. Information and Referral: (212) 442-1000; (For Mitchell-Lama call Dept. of Housing Preservation and Development-(212)863-8494

	Assemblyman Dinowitz is named an honorary member of the Riverdale Senior Center for his long time support of their programs and services. The Center recently underwent major capital improvements and renovations with state funds secured by Assemblyman Dinowitz.

Senior Citizens Homeowners Exemption (SCHE)

• Benefits
Sliding scale real estate tax exemption of up to 50%; sliding scale reduction in maintenance fees for co-ops. New applications accepted yearly; must be renewed every two years if already enrolled.

• Eligibility
Real estate owners, 65+ or disabled at any age, who use property exclusively as legal residence. The property must be a 1-, 2-, or 3-family house, condominium unit, or co-op apartment. Those turning 65 anytime during year are eligible. Applicants may apply for the exemption between July 15th and March 15th to qualify for benefits for the following July 1st billing period. Those who are eligible for SCRIE are not eligible for SCHE.

• Income Limits
Combined total income for all owners from all sources must be less than $32,400 per owner for the last calendar year after deducting medical and prescription drug expenses not covered.

• Resource Limits
None.

• Government Agency
NYC Department of Finance, Real Property Division: 1(718) 579-6879

Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)

• Benefits
Renters/homeowners $40-$400 to help with cost of home energy. One time grant per year, amount awarded varies based on income, household size, and whether the applicant pays directly for heat or if it is included in the rent.

• Eligibility
Low income homeowners and renters, 60+. Those who participated in the program last year will automatically be mailed a new application this year.

• Income Limits
Monthly income: Individuals: $1,702; Couples: $2,226

• Resource Limits
None.

• Government Agency
Department for the Aging 1(212)442-1000

IT-214 Real Property Tax Credit for Homeowners & Renters

• Benefits
Cash payment tax credit of up to $375.

• Eligibility
Homeowners (house market value no higher than $85,000); renters (no higher than $450/month after deductions) who spend sizeable percentage of income on property taxes or rent. NYS residents 65 or older. Public housing tenants are not eligible.

• Income Limits
Yearly household income: $18,000.

• Resource Limits
None.

• Government Agency
Taxpayers Assistance Bureau (NYS Department of Taxation & Finance) - 1(800)225-5829

Reduced Fare

• Benefits
Reduced Fare privileges on NYC owned buses and subways 24 hours per day, 7 days a week. Allows for use of subway half-fare voucher at any subway station. However, voucher may not be used at station of origin until day after issuance. Vouchers are good for 60 days. For buses, show Medicare card or reduced fare pass and pay half-price. Subway return trip ticket may be used for bus. Also may be used on private express buses during non-rush hour.

• Eligibility
Persons 65+ and disabled riders.

• Income Limits
None.

• Resource Limits
None.

• Government Agency
For application: 1(718)243-4999

Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC)

• Benefits
Provides some prescription drug coverage to low-income elderly; extent of coverage is determined on a sliding scale linked to income.

• Eligibility
NYS residents 65 or older; must meet income guidelines.

• Income Limits
Individual: $35,000 or less; Couples: joint income $50,000 or less.

• Resource Limits
None.

• Government Agency
E.P.I.C. 1(800)332-3742