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| NEW YORK STATE OFFICE FOR THE AGING (NYSOFA) |
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Our State Office for the Aging has been at the forefront of special programs for New York’s seniors. |
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On the Web NYSOFA hosts a number of Web sites designed to help New York’s elders and their families access information that is important to their independence. Find them on the Internet at www.aging.state.ny.us. |
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Hot Line NYSOFA’s toll-free Senior Citizens’ Hot Line: 1-800-342-9871 - has operators working from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. |
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| HEALTH CARE |
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Health Care Consumer Information & License Verification Service Consumer information on each of the professions and a license verification service is available on the Web at www.op.nysed.gov or by calling the Office of the Professions at 1-518-474-3817 (TDD/TTY: 1-518-473-1426). |
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Health Care Proxy The New York health care proxy law allows people of all ages to designate an agent to make health care decisions on their behalf if they can no longer do so. Forms are available at local offices for the aging or call the Senior Citizens’ Hot Line at 1-800-342-9871. |
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Hospital Patients’ Rights Upon admission to the hospital, a patient should receive a copy of the Hospital Patients’ Bill of Rights. This booklet is designed to help you understand what rights you have during your hospitalization regarding treatment and care. |
(516) 409-2070
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Administered by the New York State Department of Health, EPIC helps many elders cope
with prescription drug costs. EPIC will work in conjunction with Medicare prescription
coverage. For more information, call the EPIC Help Line at 1-800-332-3742.
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Health Insurance Information, Counseling & Assistance Program (HIICAP) Over 400 trained HIICAP counselors answer older New Yorkers’ questions about Medicare, Medicare Advantage programs (managed care), Medicare prescription drug coverage, Medigap and other health and long-term care insurance in local offices for the aging across the State. Counseling is also available through a toll-free HIICAP Hot Line at 1-800-333-4114. Call for an appointment to meet with a counselor. HIICAP information is also available on the Internet at www.hiicap.state.ny.us. 
Medicare
Medicare provides health insurance for persons 65+, certain disabled persons and those in final stages of renal (kidney) disease. The Social Security Administration takes applications for Medicare and provides information (apply 3 months before 65th birthday to avoid penalty). For information, call the Medicare Hot Line at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or TTY-TTD 1-877-486-2048. |
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LEGAL ASSISTANCE Legal Assistance Elders aged 60+ may access the state’s legal system by contacting their local office for the aging. Local offices provide counseling and assistance through legal service providers. Each office identifies services and legal issues that are of concern to elders in their service area, working to increase access to legal assistance. |
| Age Discrimination |
| LEGAL ASSISTANCE |
| Age discrimination can be clear, but more often is subtle. If you have a question of whether you are being discriminated against because of your age and are 60 years or older, call the Hot Line (1-800-342-9871), the New York State Division of Human Rights (1-212-480-2522) or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (1-212-336-3620). |
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Consumer Issues Consumer fraud schemes are most often targeted at elders. Elders targeted by fraud should contact the New York State Attorney General’s consumer hot line at 1-800-771-7755 and also your county’s district attorney, who will prosecute offenders. |
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Estate Planning Information regarding estate plans can be obtained through the Nassau County Department of Senior Citizen Affairs at 516-227-8900. |
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Medicaid Eligibility For answers to questions about Medicaid eligibility requirements, contact the Nassau County Department of Senior Citizen Affairs at 516-227-8900 and speak with a HIICAP counselor or legal service provider. |
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Power Of Attorney What’s involved in making and revoking a durable power of attorney, choosing an agent or determining powers that can be conveyed? (Power of attorney cannot be used for health care decisions.) Contact the Nassau County Department of Senior Citizen Affairs at 516-227-8900 and ask for the aging legal service provider. |
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Real Property Tax Credit The "Circuit Breaker," New York State’s income tax credit program for eligible homeowners and renters, helps elderly and moderate-income homeowners and renters who pay a disproportionate amount of property taxes in relation to their household incomes. To inquire about this program and to find out if you are eligible, contact the Nassau County Department of Senior Citizen Affairs at 516-227-8900.
Other programs and credits that assist New York’s elders in keeping their tax
liabilities within acceptable levels, especially when living on fixed incomes,
include:
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School Tax Relief (STAR) Eligible homeowners can receive a significant exemption on the taxable value of their homes, resulting in considerable school property tax savings. Ask your local assessor about STAR and Enhanced STAR or visit www.orps.state.ny.us/star/. |
| ENERGY |
| Programs to assist elders in meeting their heating and home repair needs are available in many forms. With seniors living in their homes longer, energy efficiency becomes important. |
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Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) This program provides cash to help pay heating bills for low-income individuals and families. It is administered by local offices for the aging for people age 60 and over. You can begin applying for a HEAP grant in November each year. HEAP provides grants on a first come, first served basis until the funds provided for each heating season run out. For more information, contact the Nassau County Department of Senior Citizen Affairs at 516-227-8900. |
| TRANSPORTATION |
| Whether seeking a ride to a doctor’s appointment or simply planning a trip, elders need to know where they can seek assistance in meeting their transportation needs. |
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Transportation to Appointments Some local offices for the aging and senior centers offer transportation to doctor appointments, shopping or other vital destinations. Contact the Nassau County Department of Senior Citizen Affairs at 516-227-8900 or your local senior center to find out what may be available in your locality. |
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Transportation Discounts Many public transportation systems offer discounts for elders. To determine if you can get discounts, contact the Nassau County Department of Senior Citizen Affairs at 516-227-8900 or your local transportation system. Anyone planning extensive travel should check with their travel agent or the carrier to see if they offer discounts for elders. |
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Personal Identification Card For elders who no longer drive, or have never driven, a non-driver photo identification card may be purchased from the Department of Motor Vehicles. Some local offices for the aging may also provide identification cards. Call the Nassau County Department of Senior Citizen Affairs at 516-227-8900 to ask if they have such a program. |
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| VETERANS |
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Veterans Information and Benefits Men and women who served in the U.S. Armed Forces may be eligible for a variety of veterans benefits and services provided by federal, state and local governments. Your local state veteran counselor or veterans service agency can advise you of eligibility and assist you in the preparation and presentation of claims for entitled benefits. |
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Disability Compensation & Pension These benefits provide monthly financial assistance to those veterans who incurred a service-connected disability or disease, or wartime veterans who are totally disabled and have low incomes. Similar programs provide monthly income to eligible surviving spouses. |
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Health Care Veterans are eligible to receive medical care through the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system, which maintains a network of medical facilities and community clinics across New York State. Long-term health care is offered to wartime veterans and certain eligible spouses at New York State Veterans Homes. |
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Property Tax Exemption Veterans may be eligible for a reduction in their real property tax. Your local assessor can assist in determining if you are eligible for such an exemption. For more information about these and other veterans benefits contact your local veteran’s representative or call toll-free, 1-888-VETS NYS (1-888-838-7697). |
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Your Local Veterans Office 516-572-8452/8456.
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| Click here for printable view. |
| Nassau County Health Department | 571-3410 | |
| Nassau County Social Services Department | 227-8519 | |
| Nassau County Dept. of Senior Citizen Affairs | 227-8900 | |
| Town of Hempstead Senior Enrichment Program | 485-8100 | |
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| Administration on Aging | 1-202-401-4541 | |
| Federal Information Center (for all locations) | 1-800-688-9889 | |
| Health Care Fraud Hot Line (Inspector General) | 1-800-447-8477 | |
| Internal Revenue Service - Information Line | 1-800-829-1040 | |
| Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection | 1-518-434-1935 | |
| New York State Only | 1-800-442-3863 | |
| Medicare Hot Line | 1-800-633-4227 | |
| Social Security Administration Hot Line | 1-800-772-1213 | |
| TTY | 1-800-325-0778 | |
| Veterans Affairs, Department of | 1-800-827-1000 | |
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| AARP | 1-202-434-2277 | |
| Alliance for Aging Research | 1-202-293-2856 | |
| Alzheimer’s Association | 1-800-272-3900 | |
| Alzheimer’s Association, Long Island Chapter | 1-516-935-1033 | |
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American Association of Homes & Services for the Aging for publications |
1-800-508-9442 | |
| American Cancer Society Response Hot Line | 1-800-227-2345 | |
| American Council of the Blind | 1-800-424-8666 | |
| American Diabetes Association | 1-800-342-2383 | |
| American Diabetes Foundation | 1-800-232-3472 | |
| American Heart Association | 1-800-242-8721 | |
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American Lung Association (Northeast New York) |
1-800-586-4872 | |
| Arthritis Foundation Information Line | 1-800-283-7800 | |
| Equal Employment Opportunity Commission | 1-800-669-4000 | |
| Help for Incontinent People | 1-800-252-3337 | |
| Medicare and Medicaid Services Hotline |
1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) 1-877-486-2048 (TTY) |
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| National Cancer Institute | 1-800-422-6237 | |
| National Caregiving Foundation | 1-800-930-1357 | |
| National Center on Elder Abuse | 1-202-898-2586 | |
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National Citizens’ Coalition for Nursing Home Reform |
1-202-332-2275 | |
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National Committee to Preserve Social Security / Medicare |
1-800-966-1935 | |
| National Eye Care Project Helpline | 1-800-222-3937 | |
| National Health Information Center | 1-800-336-4797 | |
| National Hospice Organization | 1-800-658-8898 | |
| National Institute on Aging | 1-800-222-2225 | |
| Parkinson’s Disease Foundation | 1-800-457-6676 | |
| Contact Dave: | |
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404 Bedford Avenue Bellmore, NY 11710 516-409-2070 |
Room 533 LOB Albany, NY 12248 518-455-4633 |
| mcdonod@assembly.state.ny.us | |
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