• Adult Services (Steuben County Department of Social Services)
  The Adult Services Unit provides casework assistance to residents of Steuben County age 18 and over who have no children in the household.  Services available include financial management, assistance in obtaining benefits, arranging for medical services, housing, adult foster care placement, home care services, protective services for adults, and information and referral.  Individuals must meet certain eligibility criteria for all services except information and referral.  For more information contact the Department of Social Services at 607-776-7611.
  
  
• Discounts for Senior Citizens
  Many local merchants participate in a discount plan.  Information regarding various discount cards is available from the Office for the Aging nearest you.
  
  
• Financial Counseling
  Any resident of Steuben County who is having difficulty managing their personal or household budget can receive free and confidential financial counseling.  If you are having trouble making ends meet or find yourself having to make financial decisions for the first time in your life, a trained volunteer may be able to help you.  For information call HELPLINE at 1-800-346-2211.
  
  
• Food Stamps
  Food Stamps are coupons that can be used like money to buy food and are available to lower income people.  Food Stamps are accepted at most grocery stores, food co-ops, farm stand and Senior Dinner Clubs.  For additional information contact the Department of Social Services at 607-776-7611 or the Nutrition Outreach and Education Program at 607-776-4202 or 1-800-724-2841.
  
  
• Health Insurance
  There are various insurance plans designed to supplement Medicare coverage.  Be very CAUTIOUS.  Examine your policies.  You may have all the coverage you need.  Be wary of high-pressure salespeople.  SHOP AROUND.  For more information, contact the Health Insurance Counseling Program at the Office for the Aging.
  
  
• IT 214’s
  The New York State Tax form IT-214 is a real property tax rebate for homeowners and renters with an annual income of $18,000 or less.  Forms for filing are available at the Office for the Aging nearest you.  The form may be filed at any time during the year, and is retroactive for a three-year period.
  
  
• Medicaid
  Medicaid is a program for low-income persons who are unable to pay their medical costs.  If qualified, Medicaid helps to pay for a variety of hospital and other medical services, including eyeglasses, dental care, prescribed drugs, and long term nursing home care.  Information on Medicaid may be obtained from the Department of Social Services at 607-776-7611.
  
  
• Medicare (www.medicare.gov)
  Medicare is our country’s health insurance program for people age 65 or older. Certain people younger than age 65 can qualify for Medicare, too, including those who have disabilities and those who have permanent kidney failure or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease). The program helps with the cost of health care, but it does not cover all medical expenses or the cost of most long-term care.
  The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is the agency in charge of the Medicare program. But you apply for Medicare at Social Security, and you may receive general information about the Medicare program (www.socialsecurity.gov)
  Medicare has four parts
  •    Hospital insurance (Part A) that helps pay for inpatient care in a hospital or skilled nursing facility (following a hospital stay), some home health care and hospice care.
  •    Medical insurance (Part B) that helps pay for doctors’ services and many other medical services and supplies that are not covered by hospital insurance.
  •    Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans are available in many areas. People with Medicare Parts A and B can choose to receive all of their health care services through one of these provider organizations under Part C.
  •    Prescription drug coverage (Part D) that helps pay for medications doctors prescribe for treatment.
  
  
  
• Property Tax Reductions
  In most communities in NY State, homeowners over 65 years of age with low incomes may apply for a 50% reduction in their taxes.  You must have lived in your home for two-year or more.  Filing dates and income levels vary in each community.  This can be easily checked by contacting your local assessor.  The reduction is not automatic and must be applied for when you reach age 65.  You also must file an application each year with your local assessor.  For information on your local assessor, contact the Real Property Tax Service Office at 607-776-9631.
  
  
• STAR (School Tax Relief)
  Homeowners in NY State are now eligible for school tax reductions.  To apply for the STAR program contact your local assessor.  Questions may also be directed to the Office for the Aging.
  
  
• Social Security (www.socialsecurity.gov)
  Your Social Security taxes pay for three kinds of benefits: retirement, disability and survivors. You may receive benefits at full retirement age (with reduced benefits available as early as age 62) if you have worked long enough. If you were born before 1938, your full retirement age was 65. The full retirement age gradually rises until it reaches 67 for people born in 1960 or later. If you delay your retirement beyond full retirement age, you will get special credit for each month you do not take benefits until age 70. If you choose to delay your retirement past age 65, you still should file for Medicare within three months of your 65th birthday. If you are eligible for retirement or disability benefits, other members of your family might receive benefits, too.
  The Social Security website is a valuable resource for information about all of Social Security’s programs. There are a number of things you can do online.
   In addition to the website, you can call toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday.  If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may call the Social Security TTY number, 1-800-325-0778.
  
  
  
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI) (www.socialsecurity.gov)
  The SSI program makes payments to people with low income who are age 65 or older or are blind or have a disability.
  The Social Security Administration manages the SSI program. Even though Social Security manages the program, SSI is not paid for by Social Security taxes. SSI is paid for by U.S. Treasury general funds, not the Social Security trust funds.
  The Social Security website is a valuable resource for information about all of Social Security’s programs. There are a number of things you can do online.
  In addition to the website, you can call toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday.  If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may call the Social Security TTY number, 1-800-325-0778.
  
  
  
• Veteran’s Benefits
  Veterans and their spouses or widows may be eligible for long term care benefits, real property tax reductions, or veterans/widows pensions.  Contact the Veteran’s Service Agency at 607-776-9631 or the VA at www.va.gov for more information. 

 
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