Senior benefits in Montgomery County, New York
Seniors living in Montgomery 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 Montgomery 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, the local Aging and Disability Resource Center. For energy bills, the Montgomery County Department of Social Services administers HEAP Energy Assistance locally, and seniors 60 and older can also apply through the Office for the Aging. If a medical emergency creates financial hardship, Montgomery County Emergency Aid offers referral coordination through DSS, the Office for the Aging, and community partners. St. Mary's Healthcare in Amsterdam provides a financial assistance program for residents who need help with hospital costs. Transportation options include Montgomery County's demand-response rural transit and Mohawk Coach connections. State programs like Enhanced STAR, EPIC, and New York Medicare Savings Programs also apply here, along with dozens of federal programs. Each listing below shows its official source and the date it was last verified — the administering agency makes all final eligibility decisions.
5
Local programs
16
New York programs
25
Federal programs
15
Categories
Local starting point
Montgomery County Office for the Aging — designated Area Agency on Aging under the Older Americans Act Title III for Montgomery County; participates in NY Connects (the local ADRC); reports to NYSOFA
518-843-2300
See which of these Montgomery County programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the Montgomery 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 Montgomery County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Montgomery County. Start here.
Emergency Aid
Programs here are typically worth $200–$3,000 a year to an eligible household.
Montgomery County Emergency Aid — Referral Coordination
CountyMontgomery County emergency aid: (1) Montgomery DSS for Temporary Assistance, Emergency HEAP, and one-time grants (518-853-4646); (2) Montgomery OFA for senior-specific case management (518-843-2300); (3) Montgomery hospital safety net (518-842-1900); (4) Montgomery transit (518-853-3326); (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
Montgomery County DSS — HEAP Energy Assistance (Montgomery County)
CountyMontgomery 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 Montgomery OFA (518-843-2300) for priority processing. Montgomery DSS HEAP line: 518-853-4646. 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.
St. Mary's Healthcare (Amsterdam, Trinity Health) — Financial Assistance (Montgomery County)
CountyMontgomery County's principal community hospital safety net is St. Mary's Healthcare (Amsterdam, Trinity Health) — Montgomery's principal community hospital; tertiary referrals route to Albany Medical Center or St. Peter's Albany. 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.smha.org/patients-visitors/financial-help/. Phone: 518-842-1900.
$500–$25,000/yr
In this county: Montgomery: St. Mary's Healthcare (Amsterdam, Trinity Health) — Montgomery's principal community hospital; tertiary referrals route to Albany Medical Center or St. Peter's Albany. 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.
Montgomery County Office for the Aging — Title III + ADRC / NY Connects (Montgomery County)
CountyMontgomery 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 518-843-2300 or emailing aging@co.montgomery.ny.us.
$1,500–$5,500/yr
Transportation
Programs here are typically worth $200–$2,000 a year to an eligible household.
Montgomery County Public Transportation + Mohawk Coach (regional) (Montgomery County)
CountyMontgomery County Public Transportation + Mohawk Coach (regional) covers Montgomery 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: 518-853-3326.
$200–$2,000/yr
In this county: Montgomery: Montgomery County Public Transportation + Mohawk Coach (regional).
New York and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Montgomery 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
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.