Senior benefits in Cattaraugus County, New York

Cattaraugus County emergency aid: (1) Cattaraugus DSS for Temporary Assistance, Emergency HEAP, and one-time grants (716-373-8065); (2) Cattaraugus OFA for senior-specific case management (716-373-8032); (3) Cattaraugus hospital safety net (Olean General Hospital Charity Care/Financial Liaison hotline 716-375-6080); (4) Cattaraugus transit (716-938-2540); (5) Catholic Charities of Buffalo (Diocese of Buffalo, 8-county Western NY footprint); (6) FeedMore WNY (regional food bank for 4 WNY counties); (7) regional Community Action Agencies. Dial 211 for general referrals.

Estimated bill savings: $200–$3,000 a year

Cattaraugus 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 Cattaraugus OFA (716-373-8032) for priority processing. Cattaraugus DSS HEAP line: 716-373-8065. Apply online at mybenefits.ny.gov.

Estimated bill savings: $200–$1,500 a year

Cattaraugus County's principal community hospital safety net is Olean General Hospital (Olean, Upper Allegheny Health System) — Cattaraugus's principal community hospital; Cuba Memorial Hospital (Cuba) serves northern Cattaraugus / Allegany border; tertiary referrals route to URMC Strong or UPMC. 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 Western NY 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.brmc-ogh.org/visitors/financial-assistance/. Charity Care/Financial Liaison hotline: 716-375-6080 (hospital main line 716-373-2600).

Estimated bill savings: $500–$25,000 a year

In this county: Cattaraugus: Olean General Hospital (Olean, Upper Allegheny Health System) — Cattaraugus's principal community hospital; Cuba Memorial Hospital (Cuba) serves northern Cattaraugus / Allegany border; tertiary referrals route to URMC Strong or UPMC. NY Medicaid ABD's ~138% FPL gate covers many seniors; FAP fills the gap.

Cattaraugus 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 716-373-8032 or emailing aging@cattco.org.

Estimated service value: $1,500–$5,500 a year

Two ways for Cattaraugus County seniors to get rides. The county Department of the Aging arranges transportation throughout the county for residents age 60 and older for medical appointments, shopping, and adult day care; call the department at 716-373-8032 or toll-free 1-800-462-2901 (1 Leo Moss Drive, Suite 7610, Olean; Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.). In and around Olean and Salamanca, the Olean Area Transit System (OATS) bus is now run by Access Allegany: the regular fare is $1 ($2 to or from Salamanca), and riders age 60+ and riders with disabilities pay half fare (cash, exact change). Route information and deviations: 585-968-0834; Access Allegany call center 585-593-1738.

Estimated service value: $150–$1,500 a year

In this county: County rides depend on the Department of the Aging's capacity and are arranged case by case, so call first. The department's own transportation page is currently unpublished (the county site shows 'You are not authorized to access this page'), so the details here come from the department's services index, its 2025 annual report, and the City of Salamanca's transit page. The OATS half fare applies on the Olean and Salamanca bus routes only.