Senior benefits in Tioga County, New York

Tioga County emergency aid: (1) Tioga DSS for Temporary Assistance, Emergency HEAP, and one-time grants (607-687-8300); (2) Tioga OFA for senior-specific case management (607-687-4120); (3) Tioga hospital safety net (570-888-6666); (4) Tioga transit (607-687-7270); (5) Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Syracuse or Diocese of Rochester (depending on county); (6) Pro Action of Steuben + Yates / Catholic Charities of Steuben (regional CAA); (7) Southern Tier Food Bank. Dial 211 for general referrals.

$200–$3,000/yr

In this county: Tioga County uses a referral model: the Department of Social Services handles Temporary Assistance, Emergency HEAP and one-time grants, and Tioga Opportunities, Inc. handles senior case management. Each program sets its own limits and the agency makes the final decision. Not legal or financial advice.

Tioga 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 Tioga OFA (607-687-4120) for priority processing. Tioga DSS HEAP line: 607-687-8300. Apply online at mybenefits.ny.gov.

$200–$1,500/yr

Tioga County's principal community hospital safety net is Tioga County has NO HOSPITAL in-county; residents access Guthrie Robert Packer (Sayre PA, ~30 min south) or UHS Binghamton (~30 min east); Guthrie operates outpatient clinics in Owego and Tioga. NY-PA cross-border safety-net is functionally Guthrie's domain here.. 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 Southern Tier 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.guthrie.org/patients-visitors/pay-my-bill/financial-assistance. Phone: 570-888-6666.

$500–$25,000/yr

In this county: Tioga: Tioga County has NO HOSPITAL in-county; residents access Guthrie Robert Packer (Sayre PA, ~30 min south) or UHS Binghamton (~30 min east); Guthrie operates outpatient clinics in Owego and Tioga. NY-PA cross-border safety-net is functionally Guthrie's domain here.. NY Medicaid ABD's ~138% FPL gate covers many seniors; FAP fills the gap.

Tioga County has no county-run Office for the Aging. New York State designates Tioga Opportunities, Inc., a nonprofit in Owego, as the Area Agency on Aging for the county. Its Department of Aging Services serves people age 60 and older and their caregivers. Services include congregate dining and home-delivered meals, nutrition counseling, Medicare insurance counseling, caregiver support and respite, in-home care, and NY Connects information and assistance. Call 607-687-4120 or email aging@tiogaopp.org. The office is at the Countryside Community Center, 9 Sheldon Guile Blvd., Owego, NY 13827.

$1,500–$5,500/yr

In this county: Tioga Opportunities, Inc. is the designated Area Agency on Aging for Tioga County. The agency makes the final eligibility decision. Not legal or financial advice.

Tioga County no longer runs a public bus system; the county-operated Ride Tioga service ended in 2014 and the county has no transportation department. Transportation for older adults and people with disabilities comes from Tioga Opportunities, Inc., the county's designated Area Agency on Aging, through volunteer drivers for medical appointments and errands, plus a referral service that connects residents to other options. Call 607-687-4222 or toll-free 866-352-3680.

$200–$2,000/yr

In this county: Tioga Opportunities describes this service as for older adults and people with disabilities who live in Tioga County, and does not publish an age threshold or a fare. Rides must be arranged ahead. The agency makes the final decision. Not legal or financial advice.