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Pair Team

Medicare Help in New York

In 2026, New York cuts drug copays to $3 to $20 at 65, and people 60 or older who live alone can get grocery money on incomes up to $2,660 a month.

See if you qualify for a Pair Team advocate

  • An advocate is covered by Medicare if you qualify.
  • Works with Medicare and Medicaid health plans
  • A real person, by phone, text or video
  • Takes just a few minutes to check
Check if you qualify

New York helps people on Medicare with drug copays, paid help at home, rides to the doctor, groceries and heating bills.

Key points

  • In 2026, New York's Medicare Savings Program can pay the $202.90 a month Medicare costs you if you make up to $2,494 a month on your own.
  • In 2026, Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC) cuts drug copays to $3 to $20 for New Yorkers 65 and older with incomes up to $75,000 for one person.
  • Since October 1, 2026, people 60 or older who live alone can get grocery money from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) on income up to $2,660 a month.
  • A Pair Team advocate can do the applications and the follow-up calls with you. An advocate is covered by Medicare if you qualify.

Where to get help in New York

Need Program Who to contact Phone or website
Help paying for Medicare Medicare Savings Program: Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) and Qualifying Individual (QI) County Department of Social Services (HRA in New York City), or NY State of Health online Medicaid Helpline: 1-800-541-2831. NYC: 888-692-6116
Medicaid when you have Medicare Medicaid County Department of Social Services (HRA in New York City) Medicaid Helpline: 1-800-541-2831. NYC: 888-692-6116
Prescription costs Extra Help Social Security 1-800-772-1213, ssa.gov
Prescription costs, age 65 and older EPIC EPIC Helpline, New York State Department of Health 1-800-332-3742
Free Medicare counseling HIICAP A HIICAP counselor at your county Office for the Aging 1-800-701-0501
Paid help at home Medicaid home care and the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) New York Independent Assessor, for your needs check. Public Partnerships LLC (PPL), the company that runs CDPAP payroll Assessor: 855-222-8350. PPL: 1-833-247-5346
Rides to appointments Medicaid transportation Medical Answering Services (MAS) NYC and downstate: 844-666-6270. Upstate: 866-932-7740
Food The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), once called food stamps County Department of Social Services 1-800-342-3009, mybenefits.ny.gov
Heating bills HEAP County Department of Social Services 1-800-342-3009, mybenefits.ny.gov
Care at home and local services NY Connects and your county Office for the Aging NY Connects 1-800-342-9871
A Medicaid decision you disagree with Fair hearing Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) 1-800-342-3334, otda.ny.gov/hearings
Medicare said no Medicare appeal Medicare 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227)
Questions or problems with Medicare Medicare Rights Center helpline Medicare Rights Center, a nonprofit 800-333-4114

Not sure you qualify? Apply anyway, because the office makes the call, and it costs nothing to ask.

How do I get help paying for Medicare in New York?

You can get help paying for Medicare in New York through the Medicare Savings Program. It pays the $202.90 a month Medicare costs you, usually taken out of your Social Security check. At the lowest income level, called QMB, it also pays your copays at the doctor and the hospital. New York doesn't count your savings for this program. Apply at your county office, or online through NY State of Health. See New York Medicare Savings Programs for the 2026 limits.

Can I get Medicaid if I have Medicare?

Yes, you can get Medicaid with Medicare if your income and savings are under the limits. Medicaid can pay for things Medicare does not, like an aide at home. In 2026, the limit for one person is $1,856 a month in income and $33,038 in savings. Call the Medicaid Helpline at 1-800-541-2831 or your county office. See Medicare and Medicaid together in New York.

Where can I get help with drug costs?

You can get help with drug costs from two programs, and you can have both. Extra Help comes from Social Security. If you get the Medicare Savings Program, you get Extra Help too, with no extra form. EPIC is New York's own program for people 65 and older. It works with your Medicare drug plan, and copays are $3 to $20 a drug. People with full Medicaid cannot get EPIC, but they can still get Extra Help. Read about Extra Help.

Who pays for help at home in New York?

Medicaid can pay for an aide to help you at home. First, the New York Independent Assessor checks what you need, and you can reach it at 855-222-8350. Since September 1, 2025, new applicants must need hands-on help with at least three daily tasks, like bathing or dressing. With dementia, needing someone to watch over you for two tasks can be enough. With CDPAP, you pick your own aide, and it can be a family member but not your spouse. See paid home care in New York.

Can Medicaid give me a ride to the doctor?

Yes, if you have Medicaid, MAS books rides to medical visits at no cost to you. Call at least three days before a routine visit. In New York City and nearby counties, call 844-666-6270, and upstate, call 866-932-7740. See Medicaid rides in New York.

How do I get help buying food?

You can get help buying food from SNAP, which puts money for groceries on a card each month. If you're 60 or older and live alone, you may get SNAP with income up to $2,660 a month. That limit started October 1, 2026, and you can apply at mybenefits.ny.gov or at your county office. See SNAP for seniors in New York.

Is there help with heating bills?

Yes, HEAP gives help with heating bills once each winter. The regular benefit for 2026-27 takes applications from November 2, 2026. If you pay for heat yourself and someone in your home is 60 or older, you get $35 more. Apply at mybenefits.ny.gov or your county office. See HEAP in New York.

What if Medicaid or Medicare says no?

If Medicaid says no, you can ask OTDA for a fair hearing. You have 60 days from the date on the notice. If Medicaid is being cut or stopped, ask within 10 days to keep it while you wait. If a Medicaid health plan said no, you first appeal to the plan. A Medicare denial has its own steps. See how to appeal a Medicare denial, or call the Medicare Rights Center at 800-333-4114.

Local help

Each page below lists local offices and phone lines:

Anywhere else, call NY Connects at 1-800-342-9871, which connects you to your county office.

What a Pair Team advocate does

Most people who call us about one program need help with two or three. Often it's a Medicaid form and a heating bill in the same month. Here's what we do:

  • Help you apply for Medicaid, the Medicare Savings Program and SNAP, then call HRA or your county until you have an answer.
  • Help you apply for EPIC and Extra Help, so your drugs cost less.
  • Set up your home care needs check with the New York Independent Assessor, and book Medicaid rides through MAS.
  • Get your HEAP form in early, and help you ask for a fair hearing or Medicare appeal if the answer is no.

An advocate is covered by Medicare if you qualify. It takes two minutes to find out.

Check if you qualify for a Pair Team advocate

Frequently asked questions

Is HIICAP free?

Yes, HIICAP is free, and it gives help with Medicare and the programs that lower its cost. Counselors work out of local offices for the aging. When you call 1-800-701-0501, follow the prompts to reach your local office.

Can I have EPIC and Extra Help at the same time?

Yes, you can have EPIC and Extra Help at the same time, and EPIC works with your Medicare drug plan too. In 2026, EPIC pays up to $58.82 a month toward your drug plan. That's for people who make up to $23,000 a year on their own.

What does NY Connects do?

NY Connects is free, and it helps people of any age find care and support at home. A local worker can tell you what you may get and help you apply for things like Medicaid or SNAP.

What is the difference between a fair hearing and a Medicare appeal?

A fair hearing is for a decision made by New York, like Medicaid, SNAP or HEAP. A Medicare appeal is for a decision by Medicare or your Medicare plan. Each has its own form and deadline.

Who decides if I qualify?

Your county office decides if you qualify for Medicaid, the Medicare Savings Program, SNAP and HEAP. In New York City, that's HRA. Social Security decides Extra Help, and the EPIC program decides EPIC.

Sources

Cities in New York

Guides for New York

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Need a hand with the forms, the calls, or the follow-up?

A Pair Team advocate can check what you qualify for and stay with it until it's done. Most members pay $0.

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