Regular HEAP BenefitHEAP officially opened November 1, 2023. HEAP provides a grant to low-income households to help pay for energy expenses. HEAP eligible households receive either a direct payment to their heating/utility vendor or a one-time cash benefit. The benefit amount depends on whether the household pays for heat directly (and if so, the type of [...]

The Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage Program (EPIC) provides cost-sharing assistance to individuals with Medicare Part D coverage.  EPIC can assist with cost-sharing for individuals with annual incomes up to $75,000 and married couples with annual incomes up to $100,000. With the recent increase s to the Medicare Savings Program (MSP) income limits to 186% FPL, more New [...]

Medicare Part D UpdatesThe following are significant changes to Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage in 2024:·        Partial Extra Help (Low Income Subsidy Program, LIS) Eliminated in 2024: All individuals with Partial Extra Help will be transitioned to Full Extra Help effective January 1, 2024.  Full Extra Help offers more comprehensive cost-sharing assistance, allowing someone to [...]

Updated Income Guidelines and Increase in Benefit AmountsClick here for a full chart of the updated income guidelines for the SNAP program in NYS effective October 1, 2023. In addition, the maximum SNAP benefit amount, the shelter cap, as well as the homeless deduction have increased, see these changes on our SNAP Budget Worksheet.Our free SNAP [...]