Senior benefits in Fulton County, New York
Seniors in Fulton County, New York have access to a wide range of benefit programs that can help with healthcare costs, home energy bills, prescription drugs, transportation, and more. The Fulton County Office for the Aging serves as the local Area Agency on Aging and is a strong starting point for connecting with services through its NY Connects program. Fulton County DSS administers HEAP energy assistance locally, and seniors 60 and older can apply through a priority pathway at the Office for the Aging. The Fulton County Transit System offers demand-response transportation for those who need a ride to appointments or services. Residents facing a financial crisis may also find help through Fulton County Emergency Aid referral coordination. State programs such as Enhanced STAR, EPIC, and New York Medicare Savings Programs are available here, along with 25 federal programs including Extra Help for prescription drug costs. Each program listed on this page includes its official source and the date it was last verified. The administering agency always makes the final eligibility decision.
5
Local programs
15
New York programs
25
Federal programs
15
Categories
Local starting point
Fulton County Office for the Aging — designated Area Agency on Aging under the Older Americans Act Title III for Fulton County; participates in NY Connects (the local ADRC); reports to NYSOFA
518-736-5650
See which of these Fulton County programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the Fulton County benefits checklist — free to hand out.
When benefit rules change, it’s tracked here
Income limits, new requirements, how to apply — see what’s changed across senior benefit programs, from the official source in plain English.
Programs run in Fulton County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Fulton County. Start here.
Emergency Aid
Programs here are typically worth $200–$3,000 a year to an eligible household.
Fulton County Emergency Aid — Referral Coordination
CountyFulton County emergency aid: (1) Fulton DSS for Temporary Assistance, Emergency HEAP, and one-time grants (518-736-5640); (2) Fulton OFA for senior-specific case management (518-736-5650); (3) Fulton hospital safety net (518-773-3100); (4) Fulton transit (518-736-5450); (5) Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Syracuse / Diocese of Albany (depending on county); (6) Mohawk Valley Community Action Agency; (7) United Way of the Mohawk Valley. Dial 211 for general referrals.
$200–$3,000/yr
Fulton County DSS — HEAP Energy Assistance (Fulton County)
CountyFulton County DSS delivers NY's HEAP: Regular HEAP (annual heating help), Emergency HEAP (utility shut-off / fuel-out crises), and Cooling Assistance (AC unit). Eligibility approximately at 60% State Median Income. Seniors age 60+ may apply through Fulton OFA (518-736-5650) for priority processing. Fulton DSS HEAP line: 518-736-5640. Apply online at mybenefits.ny.gov.
$200–$1,500/yr
Healthcare
Programs here are typically worth $500–$25,000 a year to an eligible household.
Nathan Littauer Hospital — Financial Assistance (Fulton County)
CountyFulton County's principal community hospital safety net is Nathan Littauer Hospital (Gloversville) — Fulton's independent principal community hospital; tertiary referrals route to Albany Medical Center (50 miles east). The Financial Assistance Program covers uninsured/underinsured residents — sliding scale typically discounts charges up to 100% at the lower income brackets with reduced rates above. Note: NY Medicaid ABD's ~138% FPL gate means many Mohawk Valley seniors qualify for Medicaid and would access these hospitals through Medicaid rather than FAP. Apply at the hospital's financial counseling office or at https://www.nlh.org/about-nlh/patient-billing. Phone: 518-773-3100.
$500–$25,000/yr
In this county: Fulton: Nathan Littauer Hospital (Gloversville) — Fulton's independent principal community hospital; tertiary referrals route to Albany Medical Center (50 miles east). NY Medicaid ABD's ~138% FPL gate covers many seniors; FAP fills the gap.
Nutrition
Programs here are typically worth $1,500–$5,500 a year to an eligible household.
Fulton County Office for the Aging — Title III + ADRC / NY Connects (Fulton County)
CountyFulton County OFA serves seniors age 60+ and their caregivers. Services include Title III Congregate Meals + Home-Delivered Meals, Benefits Counseling (HIICAP — NY's SHIP), HEAP intake assistance, EPIC intake, Care Coordination, Caregiver Support, NY Connects (local ADRC), and Long-Term Care Ombudsman. Apply by calling OFA at 518-736-5650 or emailing aging@fultoncountyny.gov.
$1,500–$5,500/yr
Transportation
Programs here are typically worth $200–$2,000 a year to an eligible household.
Fulton County Transit System (FCTS) — Demand-Response (Fulton County)
CountyFulton County Transit System (FCTS) — Demand-Response covers Fulton County. Reduced senior fares for riders age 60+ (county systems) or 65+ (Centro Half-Fare). ADA paratransit available where fixed-route exists. Apply at the county transit office or via the operator. Phone: 518-736-5450.
$200–$2,000/yr
In this county: Fulton: Fulton County Transit System (FCTS).
New York and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Fulton County and across the rest of New York. Full details are on the New York benefits page.
Emergency Aid
Employment
- Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)Federal$15,000–$17,000/yrOfficial source →
Food Assistance
- Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) Senior Food BoxFederal$240–$600/yrOfficial source →
- Congregate Meals at Senior CentersFederal$1,000–$2,500/yrOfficial source →
- Home-Delivered Meals (Meals on Wheels)Federal$1,500–$4,000/yrOfficial source →
- Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP)Federal$35–$50/yrOfficial source →
- SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) for SeniorsFederal$280–$2,400/yrOfficial source →
Healthcare
- CHAMPVA (Civilian Health and Medical Program of the VA)Federal$3,000–$15,000/yrOfficial source →
- State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)FederalOfficial source →
- VA Health CareFederal$5,000–$20,000/yrOfficial source →
- EPIC — Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance CoverageState$200–$3,000/yrOfficial source →
- New York Medicaid for Aged, Blind, or Disabled (Non-MAGI Medicaid)State$4,000–$50,000/yrOfficial source →
- New York Medicare Savings Programs (QMB / SLMB / QI)State$2,098–$8,000/yrOfficial source →
Home Care
- Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)State$30,000–$80,000/yrOfficial source →
Housing
- Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8)Federal$8,000–$20,000/yrOfficial source →
- HUD Section 202 Supportive Housing for the ElderlyFederal$5,000–$15,000/yrOfficial source →
- Enhanced STAR — Senior School Property Tax ExemptionState$200–$1,500/yrOfficial source →
Income Support
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)Federal$11,928–$17,892/yrOfficial source →
- New York State Blind Annuity (Cash Payment for Blind Wartime Veterans)State$1,695–$1,696/yrOfficial source →
Long Term Care
- PACE — Program of All-Inclusive Care for the ElderlyFederal$6,000–$40,000/yrOfficial source →
- New York Managed Long Term Care (MLTC)State$20,000–$80,000/yrOfficial source →
- New York State Veterans' Homes (Long-Term Care)StateOfficial source →
Medicare Savings
- Extra Help (Part D Low-Income Subsidy)Federal$4,000–$5,300/yrOfficial source →
- Qualifying Individual (QI)Federal$2,400–$2,435/yrOfficial source →
- Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB)Federal$2,435–$3,500/yrOfficial source →
- Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB)Federal$2,400–$2,435/yrOfficial source →
Supportive Services
- Long-Term Care Ombudsman ProgramFederalOfficial source →
- National Family Caregiver Support Program (OAA Title III-E)Federal$1,000–$5,000/yrOfficial source →
- Older Americans Act Supportive Services (Title III-B)Federal$500–$3,000/yrOfficial source →
- Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP)FederalOfficial source →
- New York Disabled Veteran Reduced-Fee Hunting, Fishing & Trapping Licenses ($5)StateOfficial source →
- New York State Veterans Benefits Advisors (Free VA Claims Help)StateOfficial source →
- New York State Veterans Cemetery — Finger Lakes (Burial Benefits)StateOfficial source →
Tax Relief
Utility Assistance
- Federal LifelineFederal$111–$411/yrOfficial source →
- Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)Federal$3,000–$8,000/yrOfficial source →
Veteran Benefits
- VA Aid & Attendance (Improved Pension)Federal$12,000–$34,488/yrOfficial source →
Not legal or financial advice. The agency makes the final eligibility decision.