DiscoverSeniorBenefits

Senior benefits in Niagara County, New York

Seniors in Niagara County, New York have access to a wide range of benefit programs that can help with everyday costs like energy bills, prescription drugs, property taxes, and health coverage. The Niagara County Office for the Aging serves as the local Area Agency on Aging and is a strong starting point for connecting with services through its Title III programs and NY Connects. For help with heating costs, the Niagara County Department of Social Services administers HEAP Energy Assistance locally, and seniors 60 and older can also apply through the Niagara County Office for the Aging. Reduced-fare transit through NFTA Metro is available to riders 65 and older in Niagara Falls and Lockport. State programs here include Enhanced STAR, EPIC, New York Medicaid for Aged, Blind, or Disabled, New York Medicare Savings Programs, and Managed Long-Term Care. Dozens of federal programs apply as well. 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.

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Local programs

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New York programs

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Federal programs

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Categories

Last verified · October 12, 2026

Local starting point

Niagara County Office for the Aging — designated Area Agency on Aging under the Older Americans Act Title III for Niagara County; participates in NY Connects (the local ADRC); reports to NYSOFA

716-438-3030

See which of these Niagara County programs you may qualify for.

Discover my benefits

Helping others? Print the Niagara 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.

Benefit changes →

Programs run in Niagara County

Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Niagara County. Start here.

Emergency Aid in Niagara County

Programs here typically lower an eligible household's bills by $200–$3,000 a year.

Niagara County Emergency Aid — Referral Coordination

County · New York

Niagara County emergency aid: (1) Niagara DSS for Temporary Assistance, Emergency HEAP, and one-time grants (716-439-7600); (2) Niagara OFA for senior-specific case management (716-438-4020); (3) Niagara hospital safety net (716-278-4000); (4) Niagara 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

How to apply →Official source →716-438-3030Last verified · October 11, 2026

Niagara County DSS — HEAP Energy Assistance (Niagara County)

County · New York

Niagara 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 Niagara OFA (716-438-4020) for priority processing. Niagara DSS HEAP line: 716-278-8400. Apply online at mybenefits.ny.gov.

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

How to apply →Official source →716-278-8400Last verified · October 12, 2026

Healthcare in Niagara County

Programs here typically lower an eligible household's bills by $500–$25,000 a year.

Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center — Financial Assistance (Niagara County)

County · New York

Niagara County's principal community hospital safety net is Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center (Niagara Falls) — Niagara's independent principal community hospital; Mount St. Mary's Hospital (Lewiston, Catholic Health) and Eastern Niagara Hospital (Lockport, Catholic Health); tertiary referrals route to ECMC or Kaleida (Buffalo). 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.nfmmc.org/financial-assistance. Phone: 716-278-4112.

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

In this county: Niagara: Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center (Niagara Falls) — Niagara's independent principal community hospital; Mount St. Mary's Hospital (Lewiston, Catholic Health) and Eastern Niagara Hospital (Lockport, Catholic Health); tertiary referrals route to ECMC or Kaleida (Buffalo). NY Medicaid ABD's ~138% FPL gate covers many seniors; FAP fills the gap.

How to apply →Official source →716-278-4112Last verified · October 5, 2026

Nutrition in Niagara County

Programs here typically provide services worth $1,500–$5,500 a year to an eligible household.

Niagara County Office for the Aging — Title III + NY Connects (Niagara County)

County · New York

Niagara 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 716-438-3030 or emailing aging@niagaracounty.com.

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

How to apply →Official source →716-438-3030Last verified · October 10, 2026

Transportation in Niagara County

Programs here typically provide services worth $200–$2,200 a year to an eligible household.

NFTA Metro (Niagara Falls + Lockport service) (Niagara County)

County · New York

NFTA Metro (Niagara Falls + Lockport service) covers Niagara County. Reduced senior fares for riders age 60+ (county systems) or 65+ (NFTA Senior Reduced Fare). 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 Information Line).

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

In this county: Niagara: NFTA Metro (Niagara Falls.

How to apply →Official source →716-855-6611Last verified · September 28, 2026

Local agencies serving Niagara County

Who runs the county programs above, and how to reach them. Every line comes from a program record on this page — nothing is added that the catalog does not cite.

New York and federal programs

Open to eligible households in Niagara County and across the rest of New York. Full details are on the New York benefits page.

Money & income5 programs

Cash paid to you, and emergency help when money runs short.

Health & Medicare costs8 programs

Medicaid, Medicare savings, and help with drug and doctor bills.

Food5 programs

SNAP (food stamps), meals, and farmers market coupons.

Home, bills & taxes11 programs

Help with heating and electric bills, rent, property taxes, and home repairs.

Care at home & long-term care6 programs

Help staying in your home, nursing home alternatives, and support for family caregivers.

Help, advice & legal7 programs

Free counseling, legal help, rides, and other senior services.

Veterans3 programs

Benefits for veterans and their surviving spouses.

Nearby counties

Local programs differ from one county to the next. If you live near a county line, or you are helping a parent who lives in one of these, it is worth checking there too.

← All New York counties

Not legal or financial advice. The agency makes the final eligibility decision.