Senior benefits in Ulster County, New York
Seniors in Ulster County, New York have access to a wide range of benefit programs that can help with health care, energy costs, transportation, food, and more. The Ulster County Office for the Aging serves as the county's designated Area Agency on Aging and is a strong local starting point — it connects older adults to Title III services and acts as an Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC). Ulster County residents may also qualify for energy help through Ulster County DSS — HEAP Energy Assistance, reduced-fare rides through Ulster County Area Transit (UCAT) and UCAT ADA Paratransit, and financial assistance for hospital care through HealthAlliance Hospital — WMCHealth. For urgent needs, Ulster County Emergency Aid — Referral Coordination can help connect people to the right resources quickly. State programs such as Enhanced STAR, EPIC, and New York Medicare Savings Programs are available here too, along with dozens of federal programs. Each listing on this page 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
Ulster County Office for the Aging — designated Area Agency on Aging under the Older Americans Act Title III for Ulster County; reports to NYSOFA (NY State Office for the Aging)
845-340-3456
See which of these Ulster County programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the Ulster 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 Ulster County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Ulster County. Start here.
Emergency Aid
Programs here are typically worth $200–$3,000 a year to an eligible household.
Ulster County Emergency Aid — Referral Coordination
CountyUlster County emergency aid: (1) Ulster DSS for Temporary Assistance, Emergency HEAP, and one-time grants (845-334-5125); (2) Ulster OFA for senior-specific case management (845-340-3456); (3) Ulster hospital safety net (845-331-3131); (4) Ulster transit (845-340-3333); (5) Catholic Charities Community Services of the Archdiocese of New York / Catholic Charities of Orange-Sullivan-Ulster / Catholic Charities of Dutchess; (6) United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region or local United Way. Dial 211 for general referrals.
$200–$3,000/yr
Ulster County DSS — HEAP Energy Assistance (Ulster County)
CountyUlster 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 Ulster OFA (845-340-3456) for priority processing. Ulster DSS HEAP line: 845-334-5125. 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.
HealthAlliance Hospital — WMCHealth (Ulster County) — Financial Assistance (Ulster County)
CountyUlster County's principal community hospital safety net is HealthAlliance Hospital Broadway Campus (Kingston, WMCHealth) — Ulster's principal community hospital. 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 Hudson 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.wmchealth.org/patients-and-visitors/insurance-and-billing/financial-assistance. Phone: 845-331-3131.
$500–$25,000/yr
In this county: Ulster: HealthAlliance Hospital Broadway Campus (Kingston, WMCHealth) — Ulster's principal community hospital. NY Medicaid ABD's ~138% FPL gate covers many seniors; FAP fills the remaining gap.
Nutrition
Programs here are typically worth $1,500–$5,500 a year to an eligible household.
Ulster County Office for the Aging — Title III + ADRC (Ulster County)
CountyUlster 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 (the local ADRC), and Long-Term Care Ombudsman. Apply by calling OFA at 845-340-3456 or emailing aging@co.ulster.ny.us.
$1,500–$5,500/yr
Transportation
Programs here are typically worth $200–$2,200 a year to an eligible household.
Ulster County Area Transit (UCAT) + UCAT ADA Paratransit — Reduced Senior Fare + ADA Paratransit (Ulster County)
CountyUlster County Area Transit (UCAT) + UCAT ADA Paratransit covers Ulster County with fixed-route bus service and ADA paratransit. Reduced senior fares for riders age 60+. Connecting service to Metro-North Railroad (Hudson Line / Harlem Line / Port Jervis Line) covers Hudson Valley-to-NYC commuting. Apply at the county transit office or via MTA for the Metro-North Reduced-Fare benefit. Phone: 845-334-8458.
$200–$2,200/yr
New York and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Ulster 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.