Senior benefits in Erie County, New York

Erie County emergency aid: (1) Erie DSS for Temporary Assistance, Emergency HEAP, and one-time grants (716-858-8000); (2) Erie OFA for senior-specific case management (716-858-8526); (3) Erie hospital safety net (716-898-3000); (4) Erie transit (716-855-7211); (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

Erie 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 Erie OFA (858-858-8526) for priority processing. Erie DSS HEAP line: 716-858-8000. Apply online at mybenefits.ny.gov.

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

Erie County's principal community hospital safety net is ECMC (Buffalo) — Level 1 trauma + public safety-net for Erie; Kaleida Health (Buffalo General academic + Millard Fillmore Suburban + Oishei Children's), Catholic Health (Mercy + Sisters of Charity), and Roswell Park Cancer Center are the other major Erie hospitals. 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.ecmc.edu/patients-visitors/billing-and-insurance/financial-assistance/. Phone: 716-898-5566 (Financial Assistance & Counseling Unit).

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

In this county: Erie: ECMC (Buffalo) — Level 1 trauma + public safety-net for Erie; Kaleida Health (Buffalo General academic + Millard Fillmore Suburban + Oishei Children's), Catholic Health (Mercy + Sisters of Charity), and Roswell Park Cancer Center are the other major Erie hospitals. NY Medicaid ABD's ~138% FPL gate covers many seniors; FAP fills the gap.

Erie 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 716-858-8526 or emailing senior.info@erie.gov.

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

NFTA Metro — Bus + Rail + Paratransit Access Line (PAL) covers Erie County. NFTA-Metro Reduced Fare for riders age 65+, riders with disabilities, and Medicare cardholders (Reduced Fare card from the Reduced Fare Program, 716-855-6611). ADA paratransit available where fixed-route exists (NFTA's PAL service in Erie/Niagara). Apply at the county transit office or via the operator. Phone: 716-855-6611 (Reduced Fare Program).

Estimated service value: $200–$2,200 a year

In this county: Erie: NFTA Metro.