Senior benefits in Suffolk County, New York

Suffolk County emergency aid: (1) Suffolk DSS for Temporary Assistance, Emergency HEAP, and one-time grants (631-853-8820); (2) Suffolk OFA for senior-specific case management (631-853-8200); (3) Suffolk hospital safety net (631-444-4000); (4) Suffolk transit (631-852-5200); (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 Suffolk OFA hotline for general referrals.

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

Suffolk 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 Suffolk OFA (631-853-8200) for priority processing. Suffolk DSS HEAP line: 631-853-8820. Apply online at mybenefits.ny.gov.

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

Suffolk County's principal public hospital safety net is Stony Brook University Hospital (academic medical center, State University of New York — flagship Suffolk County safety-net) plus Northwell Health Long Island Jewish Medical Center, Catholic Health LI (St. Charles, Good Samaritan, St. Catherine of Siena, St. Francis), and NYU Langone Long Island Health System. 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.stonybrookmedicine.edu/patientcare/oon/financial-assistance. Phone: 631-444-4331.

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

In this county: Suffolk: Stony Brook University Hospital (academic medical center, State University of New York — flagship Suffolk County safety-net) plus Northwell Health Long Island Jewish Medical Center, Catholic Health LI (St. Charles, Good Samaritan, St. Catherine of Siena, St. Francis), and NYU Langone Long Island Health System. NY Medicaid ABD is unusually generous (~138% FPL) so many seniors qualify for Medicaid rather than FAP.

Help with small repair jobs around the house for older Suffolk County residents. Each of the ten towns runs a Residential Repair program: the labor is provided and the participant pays only for materials. Call your town's Senior Citizen Division: Babylon 631-789-3309; Brookhaven 631-451-9092; East Hampton 631-329-6939 ext. 7209; Huntington 631-446-3721; Islip 631-224-5424; Riverhead 631-727-3200 ext. 736; Shelter Island 631-749-0291; Smithtown 631-360-7616; Southampton 631-728-1235; Southold 631-298-4460. The Suffolk County Office for the Aging is at 631-853-8200.

Estimated service value: $100–$1,500 a year

In this county: The county page lists no age or income test; the program is run by each town's Senior Citizen Division for its own residents, so the age-60 gate here is the Office for the Aging's scope, and each town sets its own limits on the size and type of job. You pay for materials. Call your town's number to confirm what they can do.

Suffolk 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). Suffolk OFA participates in NY State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) initiatives like the Naturally Occurring Retirement Community (NORC) program. Apply by calling OFA at 631-853-8200 or emailing aging.office@suffolkcountyny.gov.

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

Free legal advice and help for Suffolk County residents age 60 and older and their families, through the Senior Citizens' Law Program at Touro Law Center, funded by the Suffolk County Office for the Aging. Matters include Medicaid and pooled income trusts, Social Security and SSI overpayments, Medicare Parts C and D, Medicaid appeals, nursing home, assisted living and adult home issues, housing, and advance directives. Call 631-761-7470 to ask for help; the Office for the Aging is at 631-853-8200.

In this county: The program decides which matters it can take and may refer some cases elsewhere; call first. Not legal or financial advice.

Suffolk County Transit (SCT) runs bus routes across Suffolk County every day of the year. Riders over age 60 pay a reduced fare of 75 cents per trip, instead of the $2.25 full fare, by showing a driver license, state ID, or municipal senior ID card. People with disabilities and Medicare card holders also pay 75 cents. Suffolk County Accessible Transportation (SCAT) offers rides for people who qualify under the ADA and register with the Suffolk County Office for People with Disabilities. MTA Long Island Rail Road has its own reduced-fare rules. Transit Helpdesk: 631-852-5200.

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

In this county: Suffolk: Suffolk County Transit (SCT) + ADA paratransit. LIRR connects to NYC under separate MTA Reduced-Fare rules.