Senior benefits in Westchester County, New York

Westchester County emergency aid: (1) Westchester DSS for Temporary Assistance, Emergency HEAP, and one-time grants (914-995-3333); (2) Westchester OFA for senior-specific case management (914-813-6300); (3) Westchester hospital safety net (914-493-7000); (4) Westchester transit (914-813-7777); (5) Catholic Charities Community Services of the Archdiocese of New York / Catholic Charities of Orange-Sullivan-Ulster / Catholic Charities of Dutchess; (6) United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region or local United Way. Dial 211 for general referrals.

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

Westchester 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 Westchester OFA (914-813-6300) for priority processing. Westchester DSS HEAP line: 914-995-3333. Apply online at mybenefits.ny.gov.

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

Westchester County's principal community hospital safety net is Westchester Medical Center (Valhalla, WMCHealth) — the regional academic tertiary referral center; also White Plains Hospital (Montefiore network), Phelps Memorial (Northwell), and Northern Westchester Hospital (Northwell). 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 Hudson Valley 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.wmchealth.org/patients-and-visitors/insurance-and-billing/financial-assistance. Phone: 914-493-7830.

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

In this county: Westchester: Westchester Medical Center (Valhalla, WMCHealth) — the regional academic tertiary referral center; also White Plains Hospital (Montefiore network), Phelps Memorial (Northwell), and Northern Westchester Hospital (Northwell). NY Medicaid ABD's ~138% FPL gate covers many seniors; FAP fills the remaining gap.

Westchester 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 (the local ADRC), and Long-Term Care Ombudsman. Apply by calling OFA at 914-813-6300 or emailing aging@westchestergov.com.

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

Bee-Line Bus System (Westchester County) covers Westchester County with fixed-route bus service and ADA paratransit. Reduced fares for riders age 65+, certified disabled riders, and Medicare card holders (with photo ID). Bee-Line buses connect to Metro-North Railroad's Hudson, Harlem and New Haven Lines at Westchester stations (there is no Port Jervis Line service in Westchester) for Westchester-to-NYC travel. Apply at the county transit office or via MTA for the Metro-North Reduced-Fare benefit. Phone: 914-813-7777.

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