Senior benefits in Suffolk County, New York

Suffolk County emergency aid: (1) Suffolk DSS for Temporary Assistance, Emergency HEAP, and one-time grants (631-853-8820); (2) Suffolk OFA for senior-specific case management (631-853-8200); (3) Suffolk hospital safety net (631-444-4000); (4) Suffolk transit (631-852-5200); (5) Catholic Charities of Long Island (516-733-7000 Nassau / 631-789-5210 Suffolk); (6) Long Island Cares — The Harry Chapin Regional Food Bank. Dial 211 (United Way) or the Suffolk OFA hotline for general referrals.

$200–$3,000/yr

Suffolk 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 Suffolk OFA (631-853-8200) for priority processing. Suffolk DSS HEAP line: 631-853-8820. Apply online at mybenefits.ny.gov.

$200–$1,500/yr

Suffolk County's principal public hospital safety net is Stony Brook University Hospital (academic medical center, State University of New York — flagship Suffolk County safety-net) plus Northwell Health Long Island Jewish Medical Center, Catholic Health LI (St. Charles, Good Samaritan, St. Catherine of Siena, St. Francis), and NYU Langone Long Island Health System. The Financial Assistance Program covers uninsured/underinsured Long Island residents — sliding scale — free or steeply discounted care for households up to 400% FPL under NY's uniform Hospital Financial Assistance Law (effective October 2024). Note: NY Medicaid has a generous Aged/Blind/Disabled income limit (~138% FPL) so many low-income Long Island seniors are Medicaid-eligible and would access these hospitals through Medicaid rather than the FAP. Apply at the hospital's financial counseling office or at https://www.stonybrookmedicine.edu/patientcare/oon/financial-assistance. Phone: 631-444-4000.

$500–$25,000/yr

In this county: Suffolk: Stony Brook University Hospital (academic medical center, State University of New York — flagship Suffolk County safety-net) plus Northwell Health Long Island Jewish Medical Center, Catholic Health LI (St. Charles, Good Samaritan, St. Catherine of Siena, St. Francis), and NYU Langone Long Island Health System. NY Medicaid ABD is unusually generous (~138% FPL) so many seniors qualify for Medicaid rather than FAP.

Suffolk 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, Long-Term Care Ombudsman, and the local Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC). Suffolk OFA participates in NY State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) initiatives like the Naturally Occurring Retirement Community (NORC) program. Apply by calling OFA at 631-853-8200 or emailing aging.office@suffolkcountyny.gov.

$1,500–$5,500/yr

Suffolk County Transit (SCT) covers Suffolk County with fixed-route bus service and ADA paratransit. Reduced senior fares for riders age 60+ (Suffolk) or 65+ (Nassau, via MTA Reduced-Fare MetroCard). MTA Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) connects Suffolk to NYC and is governed by separate MTA Reduced-Fare rules. Apply at the Suffolk County transit operator or via MTA for Reduced-Fare MetroCard. Phone: 631-852-5200.

$300–$2,500/yr

In this county: Suffolk: Suffolk County Transit (SCT) + ADA paratransit. LIRR connects to NYC under separate MTA Reduced-Fare rules.