Medicare Help in New York City

This page covers New York City's five boroughs. For the statewide rules, start with Medicare help in New York.

In New York City, one set of city offices serves all five boroughs. HRA takes your application for Medicaid and the Medicare Savings Program. It also handles the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), once called food stamps, and the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP). NYC Aging runs services for older adults, like meals at home and free Medicare advice. New York State still sets the rules. With so many city offices, it's easy to spend a morning on hold with the wrong one.

Where are the offices in my borough?

Each borough page lists its own HRA offices, older adult centers and local groups that help at home. See Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Manhattan or Staten Island. This page keeps the lines that work in every borough.

Local offices in New York City

Not sure you qualify? Apply anyway, because HRA makes the call, and it costs nothing to ask. If you would rather not do it alone, a Pair Team advocate can help you apply in one call.

How do I apply for Medicaid in New York City?

In New York City, you apply for Medicaid through HRA, not a county office. HRA takes Medicaid applications from people who are 65 or older, have a disability, or have Medicare. The fastest way is online at Access HRA, which also takes Medicare Savings Program applications. You can also visit an HRA Medicaid office, or call the HRA Medicaid Helpline at 888-692-6116 for a paper form. HRA now asks for proof of Medicare.

If you already have Medicaid, look at your Social Security check. If the $202.90 a month Medicare costs you still comes out, ask HRA to check you for the Medicare Savings Program. For questions about home care, call the CASA office listed on your borough page.

Where can I get free Medicare advice in NYC?

You can get free Medicare advice in NYC from HIICAP, run by NYC Aging, the city's office for the aging. Call Aging Connect at 212-244-6469 to talk to a counselor by phone or in person. They can help you sign up for coverage and fix coverage problems. They can also help you apply for Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC), Extra Help or the Medicare Savings Program.

How do I get to my doctor in NYC?

To get to your doctor in NYC, you can use two ride programs, and they work in different ways.

• Medicaid rides are for people with Medicaid. Call MAS at 844-666-6270 at least three days before a routine visit.
• Access-A-Ride is the MTA's shared ride service. It's for people whose disability keeps them from using the bus or subway. Call 877-337-2017 and press 4 to apply. You'll go to an assessment center in the city, and the MTA gives you a free ride there. Each trip costs $3.00, and an approved aide rides free.

If you're 65 or older, a Reduced-Fare card lets you ride subways and local buses for $1.50, half the $3 fare.

How do I get help with heating and power bills in NYC?

In NYC, HEAP pays part of your heating bill once each winter. You apply through HRA, online at Access HRA, at a HEAP office, or by mail. You can do the interview by phone. The regular benefit for 2026-27 takes applications from November 2, 2026. Call 718-557-1399 to have a form mailed to you.

A HEAP grant also gets you a monthly discount on your power or gas bill, called the Energy Affordability Program. Con Edison and National Grid give it to homes that get HEAP, the state says. SNAP, Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income can also qualify you, but you may have to apply with your utility.

Where can I get food help in NYC?

For food help in NYC, apply for SNAP through HRA at Access HRA, or at an HRA SNAP Center. You should get a decision within 30 days, HRA says. Food Bank For New York City will help you apply for free at 212-894-8060.

For food today, the City Harvest food map lists free food pantries near you. City Harvest also runs nine free Mobile Markets across the five boroughs. If you're 60 or older and it's hard to get out, call 311 or Aging Connect and ask about home-delivered meals. If you can get out, more than 300 Older Adult Centers serve free daily meals.

What a Pair Team advocate does

Most New Yorkers who call us have an HRA letter they're not sure about. Often a Con Edison bill or a missed ride comes with it. Here's what we do:

• Help you apply on Access HRA, follow up until HRA answers, and ask for a fair hearing if it says no.
• Book your MAS rides, or help you apply for Access-A-Ride and get to the assessment.
• Get your HEAP application in early, and check that the Con Edison or National Grid discount shows up.
• Connect you to NYC Aging for meals at home and a HIICAP counselor for your Medicare questions.

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

Do I apply for Medicaid in my own borough?

You don't have to apply for Medicaid in your own borough, because HRA handles Medicaid for all five boroughs. You can apply online, by mail or at any HRA Medicaid office. Your borough page lists the offices closest to you.

What is the HRA Infoline?

The HRA Infoline, 718-557-1399, is the main HRA phone line for SNAP, HEAP and other HRA help. For Medicaid, call the HRA Medicaid Helpline at 888-692-6116 instead.

Can a family member help me apply?

Yes, a family member can call 311 or Aging Connect for you. For Medicaid, you can name someone to act for you on form DOH-5247 from the New York State Department of Health (DOH).

How long does an Access-A-Ride decision take?

The MTA makes an Access-A-Ride decision within 21 days of your assessment. If you're turned down, or only approved for some trips, you have 60 days to appeal.

What if HRA denies my Medicaid?

If HRA denies your Medicaid, you can ask the state for a fair hearing within 60 days of the notice. Call 1-800-342-3334, or go in person to 5 Beaver Street in Manhattan. For an emergency in the city, call 1-800-205-0110.

Is 311 open all the time?

Yes, 311 is open all the time, so you can call any time, day or night, in most languages. From outside the city, call 212-639-9675.

Sources

• Health Assistance, NYC Human Resources Administration
• Medicaid Application Frequently Asked Questions, NYC Human Resources Administration
• Energy Assistance, NYC Human Resources Administration
• SNAP, ACCESS NYC
• Health Insurance Assistance, NYC Aging
• NYC Aging home page
• New York City Department for the Aging, New York State Office for the Aging
• Meals for Older Adults, NYC Mayor's Office of Food Policy
• Home Delivered Meals for Older Adults, NYC311
• Contact NYC Government, nyc.gov
• Medicaid Transportation, New York State Department of Health
• Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), OTDA
• Request a Fair Hearing, OTDA
• Energy Affordability Program, New York State Department of Public Service
• Access-A-Ride fare policy, MTA
• Apply or recertify for Access-A-Ride, MTA
• Contact Access-A-Ride, MTA
• Reduced-Fare program, MTA
• Scheduling Guidelines, Medical Answering Services
• SNAP Help, Food Bank For New York City
• Food Map, City Harvest
• Medicaid and Fair Hearings, The Legal Aid Society