ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
INSURANCE
New York State Insurance Department
Consumer Services Bureau
Agency Building 1
Empire State Plaza
Albany, N.Y. 12223
1-800-342-3736 or www.ins.state.ny.us.
The New York State Insurance Department, among its many functions,
regulates rates, supervises employee welfare and pension funds, handles
policyholder's complaints, and supervises the liquidation, rehabilitation and
conservation of insolvent insurers.
CAR INSURANCE DISCOUNT
AARP
55 Alive-Mature Driving Course
Nassau County Department of Senior Citizens
For information call: (516) 571-5814
Upon completion of a two session defensive driving course, seniors
receive a partial discount on car insurance.
CONSUMER CONCERNS
To register complaints about merchandise, service, weights and measures, or home improvement work contact:
Nassau County Office of Consumer Affairs
160 Old Country Road
Mineola, N.Y. 11735
(516) 571-2600
For information about reliability of companies and to register complaints contact:
Better Business Bureau
266 Main Street Farmingdale, N.Y.11735
(516) 420-0500
Cornell Cooperative Extension Association of Nassau County
Home economics and consumer resources are provided to Nassau County residents through classes, resource listings, publications and the Consumer Helpline. Consumer questions are answered 1-3 p.m. daily at:
Home Economics Division
239FultonAve.Hempstead, N.Y.11550
Helpline: (516) 454-0900
Credit Bureaus (to order or report lost or stolen credit reports)
Equifax. www.equifax.com
Experian www.experian.com
Transunion www.transunion.com
LIMITED INCOME ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
Social Security Administration – http://www.ssa.gov.us.ny.
Supplemental Security Income - SSI
The Social Security Administration administers a program of financial aid
to persons 65 or over and to the blind or disabled who are in need of
financial assistance. Income and resource eligibility levels must be met at
the time a claim is filed. For detailed information regarding eligibility,
allotments and application, contact:
Family and Children Association
336 Fulton Avenue
Hempstead, NY 11550
(516) 292-2600
Medicaid - Medical Assistance
Medicaid pays for medical care and services for needy families and
individuals with limited assets and income who qualify under the law.
Application must be made in person or through a representative. Bring
proof of age, residency and verification of income, assets and medical
expenses. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients are eligible for
Medicaid. For further information, contact:
Nassau County Department of Social Services
County Seat Drive Mineola, N.Y.11501
Medicaid (516) 571-1020
ENERGY/FUEL ASSISTANCE
Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
This program provides a once-a-year benefit to low income homeowners
and renters to help pay for fuel or utility costs. Persons age 60 and over,
or on SSI can apply by mail. For information on income eligibility levels
and application procedure, contact:
Nassau County Department of Senior Citizen Affairs
HEAP Program
167 East Park Avenue
Long Beach, N.Y. 11561
(516) 571-7778
Weatherization Referral and Packaging Program (WRAP)
Low income eligible seniors are assisted in obtaining weatherization
services through local providers. An individual plan is developed to include
the identification of needs and resources and, thereafter, to provide the
coordination of services needed. For information, call: (516) 571-7778
FUEL EMERGENCIES
Emergency Assistance for Adults
Persons on SSI faced with emergency situations such as utility shut-off
notices should apply in person for Emergency Assistance for Adults.
People, not on SSI and aged 60 or over, with fuel emergencies may,
depending on individual assessment, be eligible for assistance. For
eligibility information:
Nassau County Department of Social Services
101 County Seat Drive
Mineola, N.Y. 11501
(516) 571-4817
Emergency: (516) 572-3143
SAFE (Senior Assistance for Fuel Emergencies)
During the winter season persons who are completely out of fuel and who
are not eligible for Emergency Assistance for Adults may be eligible under
a special program funded by Nassau County Department of Senior Citizen
Affairs, for a one-time fuel delivery by applying during regular business
hours to:
Family and Children Association
336 Fulton Avenue
Hempstead, N.Y. 11550
(516) 292-2600
For emergencies on nights and weekends call
Nassau County Police Department at: (516) 573-7000
HOME IMPROVEMENT – WEATHERIZATION
Community Development Block Grants
Improvement grants and/or loans are available to the elderly for certain home improvements such as an addition
of a roof, ramps and insulation to keep fuel coats down. For additional information: residents in incorporated villages contact your Village Hall. In unincorporated areas of the town contact Community Development Agency at (516) 621-6770.
TELEPHONE ASSISTANCE - VERIZON LIFELINE
VERIZON offers a reduced rate on basic telephone service and installation
charges to income eligible residents only. To obtain an application, contact:
VERIZON Consumer Affairs
SRC P.O. Box 1915
Baltimore, Maryland 20704
1-800-799-6874 or http://www.Verizon.com
PHONES FOR LIFE PROGRAM
The Phones for Life Program collects old cell phones with their charges that normally would be discarded, reprograms them to call 911 only and distributes them free of charge to eligible seniors, the disabled and victims of domestic abuse. A cell phone is a lifeline in a crisis.
The collection sites for people wishing to donate unused cell phones and their recharging units are:
North Hempstead Town Hall at Plandome Road, Manhasset
(M-F, 9:00 am- 4:45 pm)
Michael J. Tully Park, Evergreen Avenue, New Hyde Park
(M-F, 9:00 am - 9:30 pm, Sat. 10:00 am - 8:00 pm, Sun. 8:00 am -7:00 pm)
Clark Botanical Gardens, I.U. Willets Road, Albertson
(7 days a week, 9:00 am-4:45 pm)
Town Of North Hempstead Satellite Office, 817 Prospect Avenue, Westbury
(M-F, 9:00 am- 4:45 pm)
Seniors who would like to receive an emergency cell phone programmed for 911 only can contact Phones for Life at (917) 834-8268. The severity of medical conditions and degree of disability are all used to prioritize eligible seniors.
VETERANS' SERVICES
Low-income veterans, widows/widowers or parents of veterans, may be
entitled to benefits. For eligibility, contact:
Veterans Service Agency
1425 Old Country Road
Building H
Plainview, N.Y. 11803-5015
(516) 572-8452 or http://www.va.gov.us.ny.
Limited transportation to Northport V.A. Hospital is available by
appointment. Need at least two weeks notice. Please call: (516) 572-8456.
Veterans in need of individual and family counseling, drug and alcohol
counseling, post traumatic stress disorder counseling, or assistance with
entitlements can contact the Veterans Resource Center, a program of:
Family and Children Association
Veterans Resource Center
385 West John Street
Hicksville, N.Y. 11801
(516) 935-6858
ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES
The Department of Social Services investigates, evaluates and provides
casework services to adults who are incapable of caring for themselves
because of physical or mental impairments. In addition to being unable to
meet their essential needs, and have no responsible person willing or able
to assist them. These individuals are therefore in danger
of hurting themselves or being harmed by others. This service is available
to all adult residents of Nassau County who meet this definition without
regard to income.
101 County Seat Drive
Mineola, NY 11548
(516) 571-5256
ELDER ABUSE
Elder Abuse is the mistreatment or neglect of an elderly person by a relative
or other caregiver. It may include physical exploitation, emotional abuse,
neglect, or violation of an elderly person's rights. Call: (516) 572-0404
ELDERCARE LOCATOR
To obtain local information about services available to older persons living
in other areas of the country, call the Eldercare Locator between 9 a.m. and
11:00 p.m. Eastern Time. An information specialist will be available to
help. It is important to have the following information ready:
1) County and city name or zip code.
2) Brief description of problem
Call: 1-800-677-1116 or www.aginfo.org/elderloc.
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