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Pair Team

Medicare Help in Nassau County, Long Island

Nassau County's social services office in Uniondale handles Medicaid, food and heating help. Here's who to call in 2026, plus rides and Medicare advice.

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Key points

  • The Nassau County Department of Social Services (DSS) is at 60 Charles Lindbergh Boulevard in Uniondale. For Medicaid, call 516-227-8000.
  • At 60 and older, mail your Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) form to the Office for the Aging, starting November 2, 2026. The senior HEAP line is 516-227-7386.
  • An Able-Ride trip from Nassau Inter-County Express (NICE) costs $4.00 one way in 2026, and you book at 516-228-4000.
  • Free Medicare counseling in Nassau County comes from the Family & Children's Association, at 516-485-3754.

This page covers Nassau County. For the statewide rules, start with Medicare help in New York.

In Nassau County, DSS handles Medicaid, the Medicare Savings Program, HEAP and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), once called food stamps. The Nassau County Office for the Aging serves people 60 and older and runs NY Connects. DSS closes at 3 p.m. on weekdays, so a trip there can cost an adult child a morning off work. If you live near the county line, see Medicare help in Suffolk County.

Local offices in Nassau County

What you need Office Phone Website
Medicaid and the Medicare Savings Program, 65+ DSS Medicaid, 60 Charles Lindbergh Boulevard, Uniondale 516-227-8000 nassaucountyny.gov
Apply for Medicaid online, 65+ and no long-term care needed NY State of Health 1-855-355-5777 nystateofhealth.ny.gov
Medicaid help at home, long-term care DSS Medical Services 516-227-8111 nassaucountyny.gov
SNAP (money for food) DSS 516-227-3322 mybenefits.ny.gov
HEAP, age 60 and older or disabled Nassau County Office for the Aging (by mail); the aging office lists this line under Family & Children's Association 516-227-7386 nassaucountyny.gov
HEAP, everyone else and emergencies Education and Assistance Corporation (EAC), 175 Fulton Avenue, 4th Floor, Hempstead 516-565-4327 mybenefits.ny.gov
Meals at home, aging services, NY Connects Nassau County Office for the Aging 516-227-8900 nassaucountyny.gov
Free Medicare counseling: Health Insurance Information, Counseling and Assistance Program (HIICAP) Family & Children's Association 516-485-3754 nassaucountyny.gov
Medicaid rides to the doctor Medical Answering Services (MAS) 844-666-6270 medanswering.com
Rides if a disability keeps you off the bus NICE Able-Ride 516-228-4000 (option 3 to apply) nicebus.com
Free food, help applying for SNAP Island Harvest SNAP Hotline; Long Island Cares 516-805-1642; 631-582-3663 islandharvest.org, licares.org
Electric bill help PSEG Long Island Consumer Advocacy 631-755-3407 psegliny.com
Gas bill help National Grid Long Island Consumer Advocates 1-800-930-5003 nationalgridus.com
Emergencies on nights, weekends and holidays DSS Emergency Services 516-573-8626 nassaucountyny.gov

Not sure you qualify? Apply anyway, because the state or DSS makes the call, and New York doesn't count your savings for the Medicare Savings Program. If you would rather not do it alone, a Pair Team advocate can help you in one call.

Which town page is mine?

Your town page is the one for the town you live in: Hempstead, North Hempstead or Oyster Bay. Each town runs its own senior programs. Elmont, Freeport and Valley Stream are in the Town of Hempstead. Great Neck, Manhasset and Port Washington are in North Hempstead. Hicksville, Massapequa and Syosset are in Oyster Bay. Long Beach and Glen Cove are cities, so use this page.

How do I apply for Medicaid in Nassau County?

At 65 and older, you can apply online at NY State of Health if you don't need long-term care, the state says. You can also call 1-855-355-5777. If you need care at home or have income over the limit, apply at DSS in Uniondale. It's open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. For Medicaid questions, call 516-227-8000. The Health and Welfare Council of Long Island helps you apply for free at 516-483-1110.

In 2026, the limit for one person is $1,856 a month in income and $33,038 in savings, the state says. The same application checks you for the Medicare Savings Program, which can pay the $202.90 a month Medicare costs you. See Medicare and Medicaid together in New York.

How do I get help at home through Medicaid in Nassau County?

To get help at home through Medicaid in Nassau County, call DSS Medical Services at 516-227-8111. Before Medicaid approves an aide, a nurse checks what you need, the county says. Read more about home care and the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program in New York, where you can hire a family member.

Where can I get free Medicare counseling in Nassau County?

You can get free Medicare counseling in Nassau County from the Family & Children's Association at 516-485-3754. It runs HIICAP here and helps with Medicare plans, Medigap, the Medicare Savings Program and Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC). HIICAP and Pair Team don't sell plans. Each fall, Open Enrollment runs October 15 to December 7.

How do I get a ride to the doctor in Nassau County?

To get a ride to the doctor in Nassau County, pick the program that fits you.

  • Medicaid rides are for people with Medicaid. Call MAS at 844-666-6270 at least three days before a routine visit.
  • Able-Ride is the shared van for people whose disability keeps them off the bus. Age alone doesn't qualify you, and a health care provider fills out part of the form.

On NICE buses, the senior fare is $1.50. See Medicaid rides in New York.

How do I get help with heating and electric bills in Nassau County?

In Nassau County, HEAP helps pay your heating bill once each winter, and the 2026-27 season takes applications from November 2, 2026. One person can make up to $3,563 a month and qualify. If you're 60 or older or disabled, mail your form to the Office for the Aging at 60 Charles Lindbergh Boulevard. Everyone else, and anyone with an emergency, goes to EAC Inc. in Hempstead at 516-565-4327. Read more about HEAP in New York.

A HEAP grant also gets you monthly discounts.

  • PSEG Long Island takes $45 or more off every electric bill once you send it your HEAP letter. Medicaid, SNAP or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) can also qualify you (631-755-3407).
  • National Grid adds a monthly credit to your gas bill once a HEAP grant goes to your account. For gas heat, the first level is $63.76 a month, as of December 1, 2025.

Where can I get food help in Nassau County?

For food help in Nassau County, apply for SNAP at mybenefits.ny.gov, or call DSS at 516-227-3322. From October 1, 2026, people 60 and older who live alone can make up to $2,660 a month and get SNAP. Island Harvest helps you apply for free at 516-805-1642. Read more about SNAP for seniors in New York.

For food right away, Long Island Cares runs pantries in Freeport, Bethpage and Valley Stream (631-582-3663). At 60 and older with income up to $1,995 a month in 2026, ask Island Harvest about its monthly Senior Food Box. For meals at home, call 516-227-8900.

What a Pair Team advocate does

In Nassau County, a call to us often starts with a DSS letter from Uniondale and no easy way to get there. Here's what we do:

  • Apply for Medicaid with you, online or on paper, and call 516-227-8000 until there's an answer.
  • Get the Able-Ride form to your doctor, or book Medicaid rides through MAS.
  • Send your HEAP form to the Office for the Aging early, then send PSEG your HEAP letter for the credit.
  • Set up a HIICAP call with the Family & Children's Association, and sign you up for the Senior Food Box.

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

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Frequently asked questions

I live in Long Beach or Glen Cove. Is this my page?

Yes, this page covers Long Beach, Glen Cove and the rest of Nassau County. In Long Beach, people 60 and older ride city buses at half fare off-peak, with an ID from City Hall at 516-431-4445. In Glen Cove, the senior center at 130 Glen Street serves weekday meals (516-759-9610). Able-Ride serves only part of both cities, so call 516-228-4000 to check your address.

Does Able-Ride go everywhere in Nassau County?

No, Able-Ride only goes within three quarters of a mile of a NICE bus route. Your town page lists the places it leaves out. There, use Medicaid rides or ask your town about senior rides.

Can Able-Ride take me to Suffolk County or Queens?

Yes, Able-Ride can get you to Suffolk County or Queens if you switch vans and pay both fares. For Suffolk, you change to Suffolk County Accessible Transportation (SCAT) at 201 Airport Plaza Boulevard in Farmingdale. For Queens, you change to Access-A-Ride at Green Acres Mall. See Medicare help in New York City.

What if I have a heating emergency at night?

If you have a heating emergency at night or on a weekend, call DSS Emergency Services at 516-573-8626. In the daytime, EAC Inc. in Hempstead takes emergency HEAP requests at 516-565-4327.

What if DSS denies my Medicaid?

If DSS denies your Medicaid, you can ask the state for a fair hearing within 60 days of the notice at 1-800-342-3334. If your Medicaid is being cut, ask within 10 days to keep it while you wait. Legal Services of Long Island helps older adults with Medicaid planning and housing at 516-292-8088.

Sources

More cities in New York

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