Medicare Help in Albany

This page covers the City of Albany, New York, and the Albany County offices that serve it. For the statewide rules, start with Medicare help in New York.

In Albany, the county's Department of Social Services takes your application for Medicaid and the Medicare Savings Program. Its office is at 162 Washington Avenue, and it also runs the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), once called food stamps. Cornell Cooperative Extension takes Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) forms at 418 Broadway. The county's Department for Aging, on Western Avenue, gives free Medicare advice and runs NY Connects with Social Services. Albany also has its 434-CITY line and a city senior program. This page covers Arbor Hill, North Albany, the South End, Center Square, West Hill, Delaware Avenue and the rest of the city. If a parent just stopped driving, start with the rides section. If you also help family in Syracuse, Schenectady, Troy or Saratoga County, see their pages.

Local offices in Albany

Not sure you qualify? Apply anyway, because the county makes the call, and some of your income may not count. If you would rather not do it alone, a Pair Team advocate can help you in one call.

Where do I apply for Medicaid in Albany?

In Albany, you apply for Medicaid at 65 or older through the Department of Social Services at 162 Washington Avenue. For questions, call (518) 447-7587 or (518) 447-7252.

In 2026, one person can make up to $1,836 a month, or $1,856 with the $20 the state doesn't count. Savings can be up to $33,038. The same office takes the Medicare Savings Program, which pays the $202.90 a month Medicare costs you. For one person, it takes income up to $2,494 a month, with no savings test. See Medicare and Medicaid together in New York and Medicare Savings Programs in New York.

For help at home, start with NY Connects at (518) 447-7177, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays. New applicants for Medicaid home care also get a needs check from the New York Independent Assessor at 855-222-8350. With the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP), you can hire your own aide. See Home Care and CDPAP in New York.

Where can I get a senior meal in Albany?

LifePath, once called Senior Services of Albany, serves hot meals to people 60 and older at four city housing sites. Register at any site, then reserve by 1 p.m. the business day before at (518) 465-3322, extension 500. You can give, but you don't have to.

The city's senior program, Older Loved Ones, meets at the Albany West Community Center in West Hill. Call (518) 434-5699 to join in cards, crafts and exercise.

Where can I get free Medicare advice in Albany?

You can get free Medicare advice in Albany from HIICAP at the Department for Aging. For a one-on-one session, call (518) 447-7177. Counselors help you compare plans and fix coverage problems. Each fall, Open Enrollment runs October 15 to December 7. HIICAP and Pair Team don't sell plans.

How do I get rides in Albany?

In Albany, you can get rides from CDTA, the Department for Aging or Medicaid.

• STAR is CDTA's shared van for people whose disability makes the bus hard to use. It goes within three quarters of a mile of a CDTA bus route, during the hours that route runs. Call (518) 482-2022 and press 4 to apply, or press 3 to book a ride. A trip costs $2.50.
• CDTA ACCESS gives rides to people 60 and older with no other way to get to dialysis, the doctor or the pharmacy. Call (518) 437-5161 at least 48 hours ahead. Give $4.50 each way if you can.
• Medicaid rides to the doctor are booked through MAS at 866-932-7740, at least three days ahead.

How do I get senior housing in Albany?

To get public housing in Albany, apply to AHA online or at 200 South Pearl Street. On August 31, 2026, AHA opened applications for one- to five-bedroom apartments. AHA favors people who live or work in Albany and who either work or can't work because of age or disability. If you don't meet both, it may never reach your name, AHA says. AHA writes to you only by mail, so tell it in writing if you move. Questions go to (518) 641-7500. See housing help in New York.

How do I get help with heating bills in Albany?

In Albany, regular HEAP takes applications from November 2, 2026, for one person making up to $3,563 a month. Apply at mybenefits.ny.gov, or on paper through Cornell Cooperative Extension, on the 3rd floor of 418 Broadway, at (518) 765-3561. Emergency HEAP takes applications from January 4, 2027. If your heat is off or your fuel tank is under a quarter full, go to 162 Washington Avenue on a weekday. See HEAP in New York.

National Grid customers can call 1-800-642-4272 about the Energy Affordability Program, a monthly bill credit for homes that qualify for HEAP.

Where can I get food help in Albany?

For food help in Albany, apply for SNAP at mybenefits.ny.gov, or call the SNAP Hotline at (518) 447-7620. The SNAP office is on the 5th floor of 162 Washington Avenue, open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. From October 1, 2026, one person 60 or older can get up to $306 a month with income up to $2,660. See SNAP for seniors in New York.

For food today, call Food Pantries of the Capital District at (518) 458-1167.

What a Pair Team advocate does

In Albany, Medicaid, HEAP and the Department for Aging are in three different buildings, so we make those calls with you. Here's what we do:

• Help you apply for Medicaid at 162 Washington Avenue, then call (518) 447-7587 until you have an answer.
• Fill out the AHA application with you, and watch for its letters.
• Help you apply for STAR, or book CDTA ACCESS rides 48 hours ahead.
• Get your HEAP form to Cornell Cooperative Extension as soon as HEAP opens, and call National Grid with you.

An advocate is covered by Medicare if you qualify. It takes two minutes to find out.

Check if you qualify for a Pair Team advocate

Frequently asked questions

I live in Colonie. Is this my page?

Yes, if you live in Colonie, this page covers your county offices, because Albany County serves Colonie, Bethlehem and Cohoes too. NY Connects, at (518) 447-7177, serves every town in the county.

I live in Albany, Georgia. Is this my page?

No, this page is for Albany, New York, the state capital. To find help near Albany, Georgia, call the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116.

Where is the Albany County Department for Aging?

The Albany County Department for Aging is at 420 Western Avenue in Albany. Its main line is (518) 447-7198. For meals at home or help at home, call NY Connects at (518) 447-7177 instead.

How do I get a half-fare bus card?

To get a half-fare bus card at 65 or older, bring a photo ID to the CDTA Sales Center on Watervliet Avenue. The card lasts five years. With it, a regular bus ride costs $0.75 instead of $1.50, and a BusPlus ride costs $1.00.

What if Albany County denies my Medicaid?

If Albany County denies your Medicaid, you can ask the state for a fair hearing within 60 days at 1-800-342-3334. If your Medicaid is being cut, ask within 10 days to keep it while you wait.

Sources

• Medical Assistance (Medicaid), Albany County Department of Social Services
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Albany County Department of Social Services
• Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), Albany County Department of Social Services
• NY Connects, Albany County
• Department for Aging, Albany County
• HIICAP, Albany County Department for Aging
• Transportation, Albany County Department for Aging
• Community Dining, LifePath
• Senior Services, City of Albany
• Older Loved Ones Senior Programming, City of Albany
• Arbor Hill Community Center, City of Albany
• Neighborhood and Community Services, City of Albany
• Albany Housing Authority, City of Albany
• Apply for Housing, Albany Housing Authority
• Public Housing, Albany Housing Authority
• Eldercare Locator, Administration for Community Living
• HEAP Contacts, Albany County, New York State OTDA
• Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), New York State OTDA
• Request a Fair Hearing, New York State OTDA
• Medicare Savings Program 2026, New York State Department of Health
• Medicaid Transportation, New York State Department of Health
• STAR Program, CDTA
• STAR Contact Information, CDTA
• Half Fare, CDTA
• CDTA Fares, CDTA
• Help Making Payments, National Grid Upstate New York