Senior benefits in Nassau County, New York

Nassau County emergency aid: (1) Nassau DSS for Temporary Assistance, Emergency HEAP, and one-time grants (516-227-8519); (2) Nassau OFA for senior-specific case management (516-227-8900); (3) Nassau hospital safety net (516-572-0123); (4) Nassau transit (516-336-6600); (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 Nassau OFA hotline for general referrals.

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

Nassau 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 Nassau OFA (516-227-8900) for priority processing. Nassau DSS HEAP line: 516-227-8519. Apply online at mybenefits.ny.gov.

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

Nassau County's principal public hospital safety net is Nassau University Medical Center (NUMC, East Meadow) — public safety-net hospital operated by NuHealth (Nassau Health Care Corporation); also Mount Sinai South Nassau (Oceanside) and the Long Island Northwell Health and Catholic Health LI networks. 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.numc.edu/patients-and-visitors/financial-assistance/. Phone: 516-572-6669.

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

In this county: Nassau: Nassau University Medical Center (NUMC, East Meadow) — public safety-net hospital operated by NuHealth (Nassau Health Care Corporation); also Mount Sinai South Nassau (Oceanside) and the Long Island Northwell Health and Catholic Health LI networks. NY Medicaid ABD is unusually generous (~138% FPL) so many seniors qualify for Medicaid rather than FAP.

Nassau 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). Nassau OFA participates in NY State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) initiatives like the Naturally Occurring Retirement Community (NORC) program. Apply by calling OFA at 516-227-8900 or emailing seniors@hhsnassaucountyny.us.

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

NICE Bus (Nassau Inter-County Express) covers Nassau County with fixed-route bus service and ADA paratransit. NICE senior fare ($1.50 vs $3.00) for riders age 65+ or Medicare card holders. MTA Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) connects Nassau to NYC and is governed by separate MTA Reduced-Fare rules. Apply at the Nassau County transit operator or via MTA for Reduced-Fare MetroCard. Phone: 516-336-6600.

Estimated service value: $300–$2,500 a year

In this county: Nassau: NICE Bus (Nassau Inter-County Express) + ADA paratransit. LIRR connects to NYC under separate MTA Reduced-Fare rules.