Senior benefits in Madison County, New York
Seniors living in Madison 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 Madison 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. Local programs include Madison County DSS HEAP Energy Assistance for help with heating bills, Madison County Emergency Aid Referral Coordination for urgent needs, and Madison County Transit through Birnie Bus for getting to appointments and services. Oneida Health and Community Memorial Hospital both offer financial assistance programs for eligible residents. State programs such as Enhanced STAR, EPIC, New York Medicaid for Aged, Blind, or Disabled, New York Medicare Savings Programs, and Managed Long-Term Care may also apply. Dozens of federal programs are available here as well. Each listing below 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
Madison County Office for the Aging — designated Area Agency on Aging under the Older Americans Act Title III for Madison County; participates in NY Connects (the local ADRC); reports to NYSOFA
315-697-5700
See which of these Madison County programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the Madison 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 Madison County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Madison County. Start here.
Emergency Aid
Programs here are typically worth $200–$3,000 a year to an eligible household.
Madison County Emergency Aid — Referral Coordination
CountyMadison County emergency aid: (1) Madison DSS for Temporary Assistance, Emergency HEAP, and one-time grants (315-366-2211); (2) Madison OFA for senior-specific case management (315-697-5700); (3) Madison hospital safety net (315-363-6000); (4) Madison transit (315-366-2308); (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
Madison County DSS — HEAP Energy Assistance (Madison County)
CountyMadison 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 Madison OFA (315-697-5700) for priority processing. Madison DSS HEAP line: 315-366-2211. 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.
Oneida Health Hospital + Community Memorial Hospital (Hamilton) — Financial Assistance (Madison County)
CountyMadison County's principal community hospital safety net is Oneida Health Hospital (Oneida city) — Madison County's principal independent community hospital; Community Memorial Hospital (Hamilton, Bassett affiliate) serves the Colgate University area. 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.oneidahealth.org/financial-assistance/. Phone: 315-363-6000.
$500–$25,000/yr
In this county: Madison: Oneida Health Hospital (Oneida city) — Madison County's principal independent community hospital; Community Memorial Hospital (Hamilton, Bassett affiliate) serves the Colgate University area. 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.
Madison County Office for the Aging — Title III + ADRC / NY Connects (Madison County)
CountyMadison 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 315-697-5700 or emailing ofa@madisoncounty.ny.gov.
$1,500–$5,500/yr
Transportation
Programs here are typically worth $200–$2,000 a year to an eligible household.
Madison County Transit (Birnie Bus contracted) + Centro Connections (Madison County)
CountyMadison County Transit (Birnie Bus contracted) + Centro Connections covers Madison 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: 315-366-2308.
$200–$2,000/yr
In this county: Madison: Madison County Transit (Birnie Bus contracted) + Centro Connections.
New York and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Madison 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.