Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz Reports to Seniors

District Office: 3107 Kingsbridge Avenue, Bronx, New York 10463 • (718) 796-5345
Norwood Satellite Office: 3450 Dekalb Avenue, Bronx, New York 10467 • (718) 882-4000, Ext. 353
Albany Office: 824 Legislative Office Building, Albany, New York 12248 • (518) 455-5965
E-mail: DinowitzJ@assembly.state.ny.us

Serving the communities of
Kingsbridge, Norwood, Riverdale, Van Cortlandt Village, Wakefield and Woodlawn

Dear Neighbor:

I have prepared this pamphlet as a special service to you and to the many seniors living in my assembly district. It provides you with basic information about senior benefits programs and lets you know how to find out more about them.

My district office at 3107 Kingsbridge Avenue is there to serve you. If you need help applying for any of the programs outlined in this pamphlet or if you need any other assistance, please contact my office. My office also provides free notary service.

If you encounter any difficulty in your search for assistance, or if you are not sure which agency to turn to, please feel free to contact my office at (718) 796-5345.

Sincerely,
signature

Jeffrey Dinowitz
Member of the Assembly

Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz received an award, presented by NYC Department for the Aging Commissioner Lilliam Barrios-Paoli, from the Sadin Institute on Law and Public Policy and the Brookdale Center for Healthy Aging and Longevity of Hunter College. He was recognized for his extraordinary efforts to improve the lives of older New Yorkers.

Monthly cash payments based on years of employment and amount withheld from earnings.

Retiree and spouse, if spouse is 62+, or with dependent child. The earliest age for a retiree to receive Social Security benefits is at age 62, at which time they will receive only partial benefits to account for the fact that they will be paid over a longer period of time. In order to qualify for full benefits, the retiree must not retire until they reach the full retirement age, or FRA, which varies by year of birth. For those born in 1937 or earlier, the FRA is 65. For those born later than 1938, the FRA gradually increases – for example, for those born in 1942 the FRA is 65 and 10 months.

Individuals under the FRA may earn up to $14,160 above which $1 will be withheld from benefits for every $2 earned. Individuals may earn up to $37,680 in the year that they reach the FRA, above which $1 will be withheld from benefits for every $3 earned until the month they reach the FRA. For individuals above the FRA, there is no limit on earnings.

Widow/Widower, age 60+ (or 50+ and Disabled); Dependent parents age 62 or older; Widow/Widower of any age with a dependent child (under 16 or disabled).

Disabled individual of any age, with an impairment that is expected to keep him/her out of a customary occupation for minimum of one year, and spouse, if spouse is 62+, or with dependent child under age 16. Work requirements vary by age, but those over 62 must have worked for the equivalent of 10 full years, with 5 of those years falling in the 10 years most recent to the onset of disability.

Monthly cash payments to meet food, clothing, and shelter needs financed through general tax revenues, not the Social Security Trust Funds.

Persons 65+, blind, or disabled who have limited income and resources. Must be of U.S. citizenship or lawfully admitted permanent resident.

Individual living alone: $761.00 + $20* per month
Couple living alone: $1,115.00 + $20* per month.
Your benefit/eligibility may vary depending on your living arrangement.

*The first $20 of earned (wages) or unearned (monthly benefits, pensions, gifts) income is exempt. An additional $65 is exempt from earned income, then SSI payments are reduced by one-half the remaining earned income in a month.

Exemptions: Home; household goods and personal effects; burial funds up to $1,500 per individual; life insurance policies worth up to $1,500; one vehicle; retroactive SSI or Social Security benefits for up to nine months after receipt; grants, scholarships, fellowships, or gifts for educational expenses for 9 months after receipt.

Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) helps cover inpatient care in hospitals, including critical access hospitals and skilled nursing facilities (not custodial or long term care). It also helps cover hospice care and some health care.

Persons 65+ who are eligible for Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits, disabled workers of any age after entitlement to disability for 24 months, and persons of any age with end-stage renal disease. Most people don’t have to pay a monthly premium for Part A if they or their spouse paid Medicare taxes while working. If you aren’t eligible for premium-free Part A, you may be able to buy Part A if: you’re 65 or older, you’re entitled to Part B, and you meet the citizenship or residency requirements; or you’re under 65, disabled, and your premium-free Part A coverage ended because you returned to work. Most people that buy Part A must also have Part B.

Optional; partial coverage (80% of approved fees) for physician, outpatient clinic, skilled nursing care and durable medical equipment. There is a $155 per year deductible and a $110.50 per month premium which is deducted from one’s Social Security, Railroad Retirement, or Civil Service retirement check, or is billed tri-monthly. For those who currently have their premium payment deducted from their Social Security, Railroad Retirement, or Civil Service retirement check, the premium may be $96.40. Individuals who have an income above $85,000 and couples whose income is above $170,000 may be required to pay a premium higher than $110.50.

Covers both brand-name and generic prescription drugs at participating pharmacies in your area. Medicare prescription drug coverage provides protection for people who have very high drug costs.

Everyone with Medicare is eligible for this coverage, regardless of income and resources, health status, or current prescription expenses.

Note: The annual open enrollment period starts on November 15th and ends on December 31st. If you don’t sign up for a plan during this period you may join a Medicare prescription drug plan from three months before you turn 65 to three months after you turn 65. Generally, if you are disabled, you may join three months before and three months after your 25th month of disability.

Depending on income, these programs will help pay the monthly premiums for Medicare Part A or B and may pay deductibles and coinsurance.

Medicare beneficiaries may be eligible for one or more of the following programs to assist in paying for Medicare costs. Their income limits are listed below:

Full Medicaid for dual eligibles (individuals eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid) - Covers a wide range of medical care as well as premiums, coinsurance, and deductible payments:

Individuals: $767/month, with resources below $13,800
Couples: $1,117/month, with resources below $20,100

Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) Covers premiums, co-payments, deductibles and co-insurance:

Specified Low Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLIMB) - Recipient must have Part A, covers Part B premiums only:

Qualified Individual-1 (QI-1) - Recipient must have Part A, covers Part B premiums only:

Social Security Administration: 1-800-772-1213
New York City Medicaid Helpline: 1-888-692-6116

Comprehensive coverage for prescription drugs, dental care, hospital, physician, laboratory tests, skilled nursing facilities, health related facilities, home attendant and home health aide care, nursing home care, mental health care, medical equipment and appliances such as wheelchairs, and transportation to medical appointments.

When one spouse is institutionalized and receiving Medicaid, the other spouse, while not receiving Medicaid, may retain $2,739 in monthly income and $109,560 maximum in assets.

Medical Assistance Program
Applications for Medicaid are made at offices throughout New York City.
NYC Human Resources Administration InfoLine: 311 or 1-877-472-8411

Medicaid coverage as described in the Medicaid Full Coverage section, but on a month to month basis after the use of excess income to cover medical costs.

Those eligible for this program fall into one of the eligible categories for Medicaid, but have income slightly above the limit. To receive benefits, you must “spend down” by paying the amount of excess income or by showing that your medical expenses are greater than the difference between your income and the limit.

No maximum income, but medical expenses must reduce net income to Medicaid-eligible levels or the recipient must pay all excess income.

Monthly allotment of benefits through a debit card system for purchasing nutritious food items. Debit card is used in place of cash at grocery stores or supermarkets. Dollar value depends on household size and income.

Low income households. If eligible, you will receive food stamp assistance in 30 days. Certain households, with little income or savings, or with high shelter costs, can receive food stamp benefits within five days. You do not have to be out of work to apply for food stamps, and you may own your own home and car and still be eligible.

Elderly or disabled individuals: gross income limit of $1,805/month, with a maximum food stamp allotment of $200/month.

Elderly or disabled couples: gross income limit of $2,428/month, with a maximum food stamp allotment of $367/month.

Each case is reviewed individually to determine the amount of food stamps you receive, depending on your monthly household income and expenses such as: mortgage or rent, utilities, and child care or elder care needed to allow someone to work.

There is no resource test for households with elderly/disabled members whose income falls at or below the amount listed above, unless a member of the household has been sanctioned or disqualified from participation in the food stamp program. Households with elderly/disabled members whose gross income exceeds these amounts may still be eligible for food stamps, if their countable resources do not exceed $3,000.

NYC Human Resources Administration Emergency FoodLine: 311 or 1-866-888-8777

Cash payments for food, rent, moving expenses, utilities, furniture, repairs, etc. in case of emergency.

Persons currently receiving SSI or who are SSI-eligible, with a documented need for assistance.

Persons eligible to receive assistance from at least one of these programs: Medicaid, Food Stamps, SSI, HEAP, Veterans Disability Pension or Veterans Surviving Spouse Pension (non-service related), Safety Net Assistance, or Family Assistance. The person receiving aid from one of the above programs must be the one whose name appears on the phone bill.

Persons 60+, who have a chronic disability such that they cannot shop for and prepare their own food, do not have a home attendant, and are receiving only limited Medicaid services.

Provides emergency financial assistance and supportive services to crime victims over the age of 60. This program offers counseling, crisis intervention, advocacy, referrals to the appropriate agencies for help in replacing important documents, limited financial assistance, and installation of security devices, as well as presentations with speakers and relevant literature.

Relief from obligation to pay rent increases; landlord is compensated by reduction in real estate taxes.

Persons 62+, who live in rent controlled, rent regulated, or rent stabilized apartments, or in Mitchell-Lama or other Federally assisted co-ops, and whose rent is at least one-third of their income, not including air conditioning, auxiliary services, and utility charges.

Combined total household income from all sources must be less than $29,000, including Social Security income.

For Mitchell-Lama SCRIE: Dept. of Housing Preservation and Development: 1-212-863-8494

Sliding scale real estate tax exemption to reduce property’s assessed value by 5% to 50%. You must reapply if your income changes or you move.

Real estate owners, age 65 or older, who use the property as their primary residence. The property must be a 1-, 2-, or 3-family house, condominium unit, or co-op apartment. Those turning 65 anytime during the year are eligible. Applicants may apply for the exemption at anytime to qualify for benefits for the following July 1st billing period. Those who are eligible for SCRIE are not eligible for SCHE.

Combined adjusted gross income for all owners must be less than $37,400 per year. Individuals can deduct documented non-reimbursed medical and prescription expenses.

NYC Department of Finance
Customer Assistance Line: 311 or 1-212-504-4080 www.nyc.gov/finance

The HEAP regular benefit component assists low-income New Yorkers with the cost of heating their home. Renters/homeowners may receive $40-$600 to help with the cost of home energy. If heat is included in the rent, the benefit is $40 or $50. Benefit amount depends upon income, age or disability of household members, and type of fuel used.

Homeowners (house market value no higher than $85,000) and renters (no higher than $450/month after deductions) who spend sizeable percentage of income on property taxes or rent. NYS residents age 65 or older are eligible for a larger benefit. Public housing tenants are not eligible.

NYS Dept. of Taxation & Finance Taxpayers Assistance Bureau:
1-800-225-5829 or www.nystax.gov

Reduced fare is half fare ($1.10) or less with Reduced-Fare MetroCard discounts. Reduced-fare benefits are available on MTA NYC Transit subways and local buses and MTA Bus 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. NYC Transit and MTA Bus express buses and MTA Metro-North Railroad offer reduced fares during non-rush hours only. You can pay-per-ride or buy unlimited rides.

Persons 65+ and disabled riders. Acceptable proof of age can be a driver’s license, Medicare card or birth certificate.

Provides transportation for people with disabilities who are unable to use public bus or subway service for some or all of their trips. Offers shared ride, door-to-door paratransit service. Feeder service to or from a bus stop or subway station is provided for some customers. MTA NYC Transit administers AAR; private carriers under contract to NYC Transit provide service.

Provides some prescription drug coverage to low-income elderly; extent of coverage is determined on a sliding scale linked to income.

NYS residents 65 or older; must meet income guidelines. Not eligible if receiving full Medicaid benefits.

Exemption from school property taxes for owner-occupied primary residences. All New York City homeowners qualify for a basic exemption and senior citizen homeowners can qualify for an enhanced exemption if they meet the below qualifications.

Enhanced STAR: Seniors 65 years of age or older who own a home used as their primary residence, and whose annual adjusted gross income is $79,050 or less. The benefit reduces property tax approximately $380 a year.

Basic STAR: All homeowners that use the property as their primary residence. The benefit reduces property tax approximately $200 a year.

NYC Dept. of Finance: 311 or www.nyc.gov/finance
NYS Dept. of Taxation and Finance: 1-800-225-5829 or www.nystax.gov

Note: This newsletter is based on the best available information as of press time, and should only be used as a guide. Please call the appropriate governmental agency for the most recent information or to confirm eligibility, benefits, etc.

Free Notary Service

My office provides free notary service during our regular office hours, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. If you would like your signature notarized, please bring two forms of identification, at least one with your photo and signature.