Medicare Help in Buffalo

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

In Buffalo, the Erie County Department of Social Services takes your application for Medicaid and the Medicare Savings Program on Pearl Street. It also runs HEAP and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), once called food stamps. The county's Department for the Aging gives free Medicare advice and sets up meals at home. Buffalo also has its own Division of Senior Services and 311. This page covers South Buffalo, North Buffalo, the East Side, the West Side, Black Rock, Riverside and the rest of the city. If your National Fuel bill jumped with the first snow, see the heating section. For a parent in Rochester or Niagara Falls, see their pages.

Local offices in Buffalo

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 Buffalo?

In Buffalo, you apply for Medicaid at 65 or older on form DOH-4220. Get one at 158 Pearl Street, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., or call (716) 858-6244. Mail it to Post Office Box 120, Buffalo, NY 14201, with a phone number, since the interview is by phone.

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 Medicaid help at home, call the county's CASA team at (716) 858-2323. New applicants 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 are the senior centers in Buffalo?

Erie County lists 24 senior and community centers in Buffalo for people 60 and older. The city runs two of them, both free. Richmond-Summer, on the West Side, serves hot lunches. Autumnwood, on Clinton Street, can be a warming center at 15 degrees or colder, so call first.

Where can I get free Medicare advice in Buffalo?

You can get free Medicare advice in Buffalo from HIICAP at the Erie County Department for the Aging, at (716) 858-7883. Counselors help you compare plans, file claims and apply for Extra Help or the state's drug plan, Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC). Each fall, Open Enrollment runs October 15 to December 7. HIICAP and Pair Team don't sell plans.

How do I get rides in Buffalo?

In Buffalo, you can get rides from the city, the county, NFTA or Medicaid.

• The city's medical van takes people 62 and older to doctor visits in Buffalo. Call (716) 851-4204 well before your visit, and plan to get in and out of the van on your own.
• Going Places is the county's van for people 60 and older with no other ride. Call (716) 858-7433 two weeks before a doctor visit, and give $8 each way if you can.
• PAL is NFTA's shared van for people whose disability keeps them off Metro buses and trains. Call (716) 855-7268 for a form. A trip costs $4 cash, or $3.50 with a MetGo card.
• 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 Buffalo?

To get senior housing in Buffalo, apply to BMHA, which has buildings for older adults and people with disabilities. In 2026, one person can make up to $56,850 a year, and rent is about 30% of your income, BMHA says. Send your application to its Housing Assistance Office at 245 Elmwood Avenue, or call (716) 855-6711, extension 500. Waits run from 30 days to several years, depending on the building. Senior buildings include Elmhurst Apartments on Amherst Street and Kelly Gardens on Cornwall Street. See housing help in New York.

How do I get help with heating bills in Buffalo?

In Buffalo, regular HEAP takes applications from November 2, 2026, for one person making up to $3,563 a month. Apply at mybenefits.ny.gov, or drop off a paper form at 460 Main Street from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. See HEAP in New York.

Then ask your utility for more help:

• National Fuel has Catch-up Coaches at 1-800-365-3234. Its Neighbor for Neighbor Heat Fund gives up to $300 a year to people 55 or older with low income.
• National Grid customers can call 1-800-642-4272 to ask about the Energy Affordability Program, a monthly bill credit for homes that get HEAP.

Where can I get food help in Buffalo?

For food help in Buffalo, apply for SNAP at mybenefits.ny.gov, or call (716) 858-7239 for a paper form. From October 1, 2026, one person 60 or older can get up to $306 a month with income up to $2,660. FeedMore WNY's SNAP team helps you apply for free at (716) 822-2002. See SNAP for seniors in New York.

At 60 or older, call (716) 858-8526 for meals at home if you can't cook for yourself. The county suggests $3.50 a meal, but you don't have to pay.

What a Pair Team advocate does

In Buffalo, a Medicare question often comes with a Pearl Street letter or a big National Fuel bill. Here's what we do:

• Help you fill out the DOH-4220 and call (716) 858-6244 until you have an answer.
• Book the city's medical van, Going Places, PAL or Medicaid rides.
• Fill out the BMHA application with you and follow up with the Elmwood Avenue office.
• Get your HEAP form in as soon as HEAP opens, then set up a National Fuel or National Grid payment plan.

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 Amherst. Is this my page?

Yes, if you live in Amherst, this page covers your county offices, because Erie County serves Amherst, Cheektowaga and Tonawanda too. The city's senior centers and van serve only Buffalo, so call the Amherst Senior Center at (716) 636-3050.

What can Buffalo 311 help with?

Buffalo 311 takes requests for any city service, like trash pickup. Dial 311 in the city or (716) 851-4890 from anywhere.

Can I drop off papers in person?

Yes, you can drop off papers at the county's drop box, on the first floor of 95 Franklin Street. You can also send them from home with the free NYDocSubmit phone app.

My furnace broke. Can HEAP help?

Yes, HEAP can help if your furnace broke and you own your home. Its repair program pays up to $4,000 to fix a furnace or $8,000 to replace it, the state says. In Buffalo, call (716) 858-7644 to ask how to apply.

What if Erie County denies my Medicaid?

If Erie 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

• Medicaid, Erie County Department of Social Services
• Medicare Premium Savings Program, Erie County Department of Social Services
• CASA, Community Alternative Systems Agency, Erie County Department of Social Services
• SNAP, Erie County Department of Social Services
• HEAP, Erie County Department of Social Services
• Erie County Department of Social Services home page
• Erie County Department for the Aging home page
• Senior Centers in Buffalo and Erie County, Erie County Department for the Aging (PDF)
• Health Insurance and HIICAP, Erie County Department for the Aging
• Home Delivered Meals, Erie County Department for the Aging
• Going Places Transportation, Erie County Department for the Aging
• Division of Senior Services and Office of Disabled Parking, City of Buffalo
• Senior Services and Disabled Parking Brochure, City of Buffalo (PDF)
• Buffalo 311, City of Buffalo
• Buffalo City Division of Senior Services, 211 WNY
• Autumnwood Senior Center, 211 WNY
• Richmond-Summer Senior Citizen Center, 211 WNY
• Public Housing Program, Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority
• Frequently Asked Questions, Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority
• Senior Developments, Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority
• HEAP Contacts, Erie 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
• Applying for PAL, NFTA-Metro
• PAL Fare Information, NFTA-Metro
• Reduced Fares, NFTA-Metro
• SNAP Resources, FeedMore WNY
• Payment Assistance Programs, National Fuel
• Neighbor for Neighbor Heat Fund, National Fuel
• Help Making Payments, National Grid Upstate New York
• Upstate NY Phone Numbers, National Grid