Senior benefits in Herkimer County, New York
Seniors in Herkimer County, New York have access to a wide range of benefit programs that can help with health care, energy costs, food, transportation, and more. The Herkimer County Office for the Aging serves as the local Area Agency on Aging and is a strong starting point for finding help — it connects residents to services through NY Connects and programs funded under the Older Americans Act. For energy bill relief, the Herkimer County Department of Social Services administers NY HEAP locally, and seniors 60 and older can also apply through the Office for the Aging. Bassett Healthcare Network's Little Falls Hospital offers financial assistance for eligible patients in the county. Getting around is supported through Herkimer County Public Transportation and Birnie Bus rural service. State programs such as EPIC, Enhanced STAR, and New York Medicare Savings Programs may also apply, along with 25 federal programs covering areas like prescription costs and food assistance. Each program listing on this page includes its official source and the date it was last verified. The sponsoring agency always makes the final eligibility decision.
5
Local programs
15
New York programs
25
Federal programs
15
Categories
Local starting point
Herkimer County Office for the Aging — designated Area Agency on Aging under the Older Americans Act Title III for Herkimer County; participates in NY Connects (the local ADRC); reports to NYSOFA
315-867-1121
See which of these Herkimer County programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the Herkimer 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 Herkimer County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Herkimer County. Start here.
Emergency Aid
Programs here are typically worth $200–$3,000 a year to an eligible household.
Herkimer County Emergency Aid — Referral Coordination
CountyHerkimer County emergency aid: (1) Herkimer DSS for Temporary Assistance, Emergency HEAP, and one-time grants (315-867-1291); (2) Herkimer OFA for senior-specific case management (315-867-1121); (3) Herkimer hospital safety net (315-823-5500); (4) Herkimer transit (315-867-1135); (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
Herkimer County DSS — HEAP Energy Assistance (Herkimer County)
CountyHerkimer 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 Herkimer OFA (315-867-1121) for priority processing. Herkimer DSS HEAP line: 315-867-1291. 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.
Bassett Healthcare Network — Little Falls Hospital — Financial Assistance (Herkimer County)
CountyHerkimer County's principal community hospital safety net is Little Falls Hospital (Little Falls, Bassett Healthcare Network) — Herkimer's principal community hospital; tertiary referrals route to Bassett Medical Center (Cooperstown) or MVHS Wynn Hospital (Utica). 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.bassett.org/patients-visitors/billing-insurance/financial-assistance. Phone: 315-823-5500.
$500–$25,000/yr
In this county: Herkimer: Little Falls Hospital (Little Falls, Bassett Healthcare Network) — Herkimer's principal community hospital; tertiary referrals route to Bassett Medical Center (Cooperstown) or MVHS Wynn Hospital (Utica). 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.
Herkimer County Office for the Aging — Title III + ADRC / NY Connects (Herkimer County)
CountyHerkimer 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 315-867-1121 or emailing ofa@herkimercounty.org.
$1,500–$5,500/yr
Transportation
Programs here are typically worth $200–$2,000 a year to an eligible household.
Herkimer County Public Transportation + Birnie Bus Rural Service (Herkimer County)
CountyHerkimer County Public Transportation + Birnie Bus Rural Service covers Herkimer 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: 315-867-1135.
$200–$2,000/yr
In this county: Herkimer: Herkimer County Public Transportation + Birnie Bus Rural Service.
New York and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Herkimer 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 →
Nearby counties
County programs differ from one county to the next. If you live near a county line, or you are helping a parent who lives in one of these, it is worth checking there too.
Not legal or financial advice. The agency makes the final eligibility decision.