Help & Resources for Senior Citizens
Health Care
The following provides an overview of some important programs available to help ensure that senior citizens have access to the health care they need.
Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC) Program
The Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC) Program helps senior citizens save, on average, 90 percent of the cost for prescription drugs. Most enrollees must have Medicare Part D or other drug coverage, and use EPIC to lower their drug costs even more by helping them pay the deductibles and co-payments required by their other drug plan. EPIC also helps members pay for Medicare Part D premiums.
To be eligible, seniors must be New York State residents, 65 or older, and have an annual income under $35,000 for singles and under $50,000 for married couples. Seniors receiving full Medicaid benefits are not eligible. Seniors with moderate incomes must pay quarterly fees and meet an annual deductible. Those who pay a fee or have met their deductible also pay co-payments at the pharmacy when purchasing prescriptions.
Expanded In-Home Services for the Elderly Program (EISEP)
The Expanded In-Home Services for the Elderly Program (EISEP) is for older adults who need help with activities of daily living like dressing, bathing and personal care, as well as shopping, housekeeping and cooking, but prefer to remain at home and are not eligible for Medicaid. Costs are determined by a sliding scale and range from no-cost to full-cost.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), New York State provides home-delivered meals, as well as other nutritional services, to low-income, elderly clients who cannot prepare their own meals.
Additional Resources
- You can check your eligibility for many of New York's health programs here, or visit the New York State Office for the Aging for information on other programs to assist seniors.