Senior benefits in Monroe County, New York
Seniors living in Monroe 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 Monroe County Office for the Aging serves as the local Area Agency on Aging and is a strong starting point for connecting to services through its NY Connects program. For energy help, Monroe County DSS administers NY HEAP Energy Assistance locally, with a priority pathway for seniors through the Office for the Aging. If a medical emergency or urgent need arises, Monroe County Emergency Aid offers referral coordination through DSS and community partners. Seniors who need to get around can look into RTS Regional Transit Service, which offers a reduced fare for those 65 and older, plus RTS Access paratransit. URMC's Strong Memorial Hospital and Highland Hospital offer financial assistance programs for qualifying patients. State programs like Enhanced STAR, EPIC, and New York Medicare Savings Programs may also apply, along with dozens of federal programs. Each listing below includes its official source and the date it was last verified — the administering agency makes all final eligibility decisions.
5
Local programs
15
New York programs
25
Federal programs
15
Categories
Local starting point
Monroe County Office for the Aging — designated Area Agency on Aging under the Older Americans Act Title III for Monroe County; participates in NY Connects (the local ADRC); reports to NYSOFA
585-753-6280
See which of these Monroe County programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the Monroe 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 Monroe County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Monroe County. Start here.
Emergency Aid
Programs here are typically worth $200–$3,000 a year to an eligible household.
Monroe County Emergency Aid — Referral Coordination
CountyMonroe County emergency aid: (1) Monroe DSS for Temporary Assistance, Emergency HEAP, and one-time grants (585-753-6510); (2) Monroe OFA for senior-specific case management (585-753-6280); (3) Monroe hospital safety net (585-275-2100); (4) Monroe transit (585-288-1700); (5) Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Rochester (covers most of the Finger Lakes); (6) Foodlink (Rochester regional food bank for 10 counties); (7) Action for a Better Community / Pro Action (regional CAAs). Dial 211 for general referrals.
$200–$3,000/yr
Monroe County DSS — HEAP Energy Assistance (Monroe County)
CountyMonroe 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 Monroe OFA (585-753-6280) for priority processing. Monroe DSS HEAP line: 585-753-6510. 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.
URMC — Strong Memorial Hospital + Highland Hospital — Financial Assistance (Monroe County)
CountyMonroe County's principal community hospital safety net is Strong Memorial Hospital (URMC, Rochester) — academic Level 1 trauma + tertiary referral for the entire Finger Lakes / Western NY region; Highland Hospital (URMC, Rochester); Rochester General Hospital (RGH, Rochester Regional Health); Unity Hospital (RRH, Greece); also St. Ann's Community for senior care. 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 Finger Lakes 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.urmc.rochester.edu/pay-a-bill/financial-assistance. Phone: 585-275-2100.
$500–$25,000/yr
In this county: Monroe: Strong Memorial Hospital (URMC, Rochester) — academic Level 1 trauma + tertiary referral for the entire Finger Lakes / Western NY region; Highland Hospital (URMC, Rochester); Rochester General Hospital (RGH, Rochester Regional Health); Unity Hospital (RRH, Greece); also St. Ann's Community for senior care. 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.
Monroe County Office for the Aging — Title III + NY Connects (Monroe County)
CountyMonroe 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 585-753-6280 or emailing aging@monroecounty.gov.
$1,500–$5,500/yr
Transportation
Programs here are typically worth $200–$2,200 a year to an eligible household.
RTS — Regional Transit Service (RGRTA) + RTS Access Paratransit (Monroe County)
CountyRTS — Regional Transit Service (RGRTA) + RTS Access Paratransit covers Monroe County. Reduced senior fares for riders age 60+ (county systems) or 65+ (RTS Senior ID). ADA paratransit available where fixed-route exists. Apply at the county transit office or via the operator. Phone: 585-288-1700.
$200–$2,200/yr
In this county: Monroe: RTS — Regional Transit Service (RGRTA).
New York and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Monroe 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.