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According to the 2000 United States Census, New York’s seniors constitute 12.9 percent of the
State’s population. Only California and Florida have larger senior populations.
The U.S. Census projects that New York’s senior population will grow nine percent by the year 2010.
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HEAP
Home Energy Assistance Program is a federally-funded program designed to help eligible
households with the cost of heating their homes. HEAP is administered locally by
Departments of Social Services. Eligibility is determined by household income. For example,
this year, one person households earning less than $1,876 a month are eligible (for couples the
income limit is $2,454 per month).
HEAP also offered a number of other programs to help defray the cost of other home-heating
related services. For example, HEAP offers a Furnace Repair and Replacement Component.
The deadline for this service is September 30, 2008.
For more information about HEAP, call the New York State HEAP Hotline at 1-800-342-3009.
To apply for HEAP, please contact your county Department of Social Services:
Genesee County Department of Social Services
5130 East Main Street, Suite 3
Batavia, NY 14020
(585) 344-2580 Extension 6524
Monroe County Department of Social Services
111 Westfall Road, Room B-14
Rochester, NY 14620
(585) 753-6477
Niagara County Department of Social Services
20 East Avenue, Box 506
Lockport, NY 14095
(716) 439-7744 or (716) 278-8645
Orleans County Department of Social Services
14016 Route 31 West
Albion, NY 14411-9365
(585) 589-7000
Senior Heat Tax Rebate: In addition to proposing legislation that creates new sales
tax exemptions and income tax credits on Energy Star appliances and energy-efficient building
materials, Steve Hawley is also working to provide New York State seniors with a new $200 Heat
Tax Rebate (Assembly Bill 5353-A).
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Health & Prescription Savings
Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage Program (EPIC):
EPIC is a New York State sponsored prescription plan for senior citizens who do not receive full Medicaid
benefits and need help paying for their prescriptions. Over 360,000 seniors already belong and are saving,
on average, over 80 percent off the cost of their medicines. The average EPIC enrollee saves $1,900 per
year on prescription drug costs.
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EPIC PROGRAMS
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ELIGIBILITY (single)
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ELIGIBILITY (married)
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EPIC
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Annual Income of:
$35,000 or less
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Annual Income of:
$50,000 or less
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EPIC Fee: seniors pay an annual fee
based on income and receive prescriptions
at a discounted price, only paying a
co-payment.
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Annual Income of:
$20,000 or less
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Annual Income of:
$26,000 or less
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EPIC Deductible: allows seniors to pay a co-payment for
their prescriptions after they have met their specified
deductible cost (based on income).
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Annual Income of:
$20,001 to $35,000
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Annual Income of:
$26,001 to $50,000
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As of 2007, seniors with EPIC have to join a Medicare Part D program to keep their EPIC
coverage. To help keep your costs low, EPIC does help pay Medicare Part D premiums.
It also helps cover the Part D plan deductibles, co-payments, coverage gap, and drugs not
covered by the Part D plan. CALL EPIC help line 1-800-332-3742 to enroll.
EPIC Extra:
Steve Hawley is working to increase EPIC benefits for seniors. Assembly Bill 3645-A will
allow every senior with an income of $60,000 or less to claim an annual income tax
deduction of up to $1,000 to defray the cost of prescription drugs.
Medicare Part D:
In 2006 the new Medicare prescription drug coverage benefit, also known as Medicare Part D,
was started to help seniors and individuals with disabilities access comprehensive coverage
with limited premiums and deductibles. Part D is available through private plans, including
stand-alone prescription plans (PDPs) or Medicare private plans such as an HMO, PPO or
PFFS. Individuals are eligible to join from 3 months before their 65th birthday to 3 months
after their 65th birthday and from November 15 to December 31 each year.
VISIT the United States government official web site for people with Medicare:
www.medicare.gov for information.
Prescription Drug Guides for Seniors:
Last year, Steve Hawley helped pass legislation (Assembly Bill 6278) to help seniors
understand their prescriptions more easily. This bill requires the New York State Board of
Pharmacy, in conjunction with the New York State Consumer Protection Board, to publish
a guide explaining the purpose, function and common drug interactions of prescriptions
commonly used by seniors. Help ensure this bill becomes law by writing to your State
Senator!
Long-Term Health Insurance:
Steve Hawley is working to ensure seniors have long-term health care at an affordable price.
Assembly Bill 5579 will help senior citizens afford their long-term health insurance needs by
increasing the tax credit for long-term care insurance to 25 percent of premiums paid.
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