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Medicare Help in North Hempstead

North Hempstead's aging program gives people 60 and older free taxi rides to food shopping. Here's who to call in 2026 for Medicaid, housing and repairs.

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Key points

  • Project Independence, the town's aging program, connects residents 60 and older with nurses, social workers and rides. Dial 311, or 516-869-6311 from outside the town.
  • Its taxis take you food shopping twice a week for free. You must be 60 or older, or 21 or older with a disability.
  • The North Hempstead Housing Authority runs three buildings for older adults in Westbury and Manhasset, at 516-627-6433.
  • In 2026, the town's Community Development Agency gives repair grants up to $15,000 to homeowners outside the villages (516-621-6770).

This page covers the Town of North Hempstead in Nassau County. For county-wide help, see Medicare help in Nassau County. For nearby towns, see Medicare help in the Town of Hempstead or Medicare help in Oyster Bay. For the statewide rules, start with Medicare help in New York.

The Nassau County Department of Social Services (DSS) in Uniondale handles Medicaid and food help. The town's Department of Services for the Aging runs Project Independence. It was the first local government program in New York State built to help people age at home, the town says. This page is for Great Neck, Manhasset, Port Washington, Roslyn, Westbury, New Cassel, Mineola, New Hyde Park, Carle Place and Albertson. If you want to stay in the house you've lived in for 40 years, start here.

Local offices in North Hempstead

What you need Office Phone Website
Rides, nurses, social workers, repair referrals Project Independence, Department of Services for the Aging, 1601 Marcus Avenue, North New Hyde Park, weekdays 9 to 4:45 311 in the town, or 516-869-6311 northhempsteadny.gov
Medicaid and the Medicare Savings Program, 65+ DSS Medicaid, 60 Charles Lindbergh Boulevard, Uniondale 516-227-8000 nassaucountyny.gov
Medicaid help at home DSS Medical Services 516-227-8111 nassaucountyny.gov
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), money for food DSS 516-227-3322 mybenefits.ny.gov
Senior apartments and Section 8 North Hempstead Housing Authority, 899 Broadway, Suite 121, Westbury 516-627-6433 northhempsteadhousingauthority.com
Senior apartments in Great Neck Great Neck Housing Authority (Arrandale) 516-482-2727 northhempsteadny.gov
Repair grants and loans, outside villages Town Community Development Agency 516-621-6770 northhempsteadny.gov
Volunteer home repairs Rebuilding Together Long Island 516-541-7322 longisland.rebuildingtogether.org
Senior property tax exemption Nassau County Department of Assessment, 240 Old Country Road, Mineola 516-571-1500 nassaucountyny.gov
Free Medicare counseling: Health Insurance Information, Counseling and Assistance Program (HIICAP) Family & Children's Association 516-485-3754 nassaucountyny.gov
Meals at home, NY Connects Nassau County Office for the Aging 516-227-8900 nassaucountyny.gov
Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), 60 and older Office for the Aging, by mail 516-227-7386 nassaucountyny.gov
Rides if a disability keeps you off the bus Nassau Inter-County Express (NICE) Able-Ride 516-228-4000 nicebus.com
Medicaid rides to the doctor Medical Answering Services (MAS) 844-666-6270 medanswering.com
Electric bill help PSEG Long Island 631-755-3407 psegliny.com
A free cell phone that calls 911 Phones for Life 917-834-8268 northhempsteadny.gov

Not sure you qualify? Apply anyway, because DSS or the town 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.

What does Project Independence do?

Project Independence helps residents 60 and older stay in their own homes, with nurses and social workers.

  • Nurses check blood pressure, visit your home to see what you need, go over your medicines and screen you for falls.
  • Social workers help with SNAP, heating help, Medicare and Medicaid questions, caregiver support and the move home from a hospital.
  • Home help comes as referrals for upkeep and repairs.

A town veterans caseworker takes calls at 311 too.

How do Project Independence rides work?

Project Independence rides use local taxis. Book at 311 at least a day ahead, before 4 p.m.

  • Food shopping is free two days a week, from 10 to 2, with up to three bags you can carry.
  • Medical rides run on weekdays to any doctor in the town. They also reach the Long Island Jewish Medical Center campus, Nassau University Medical Center, Memorial Sloan Kettering Nassau and St. Francis DeMatteis Center. They're free or deeply discounted, the town says, so ask the cost when you book and plan on a tip.

An aide can ride along at no charge. Walkers and folding wheelchairs are fine if you can get in on your own.

If a disability keeps you off the bus, NICE Able-Ride costs $4.00 each way. It doesn't serve Sands Point, and Queens riders switch to Access-A-Ride at 450 Lakeville Road, NICE says. With Medicaid, call MAS three days ahead. See Medicaid rides in New York.

Where can I eat lunch with others in North Hempstead?

You can eat lunch with others at senior centers the county pays for, if you're 60 or older. Reserve ahead, and give what you can, the county says.

Senior center Address Phone Who it serves
Great Neck Senior Center, weekdays 9 to 4 80 Grace Avenue, Great Neck 516-487-0025 Great Neck, Lake Success, Manhasset
Herricks Senior Center, Monday, Tuesday and Friday 9 to 2 999 Herricks Road, New Hyde Park 516-305-8976 for lunch; senior clubs 516-305-8908 Albertson, East Williston, Garden City Park, Mineola, New Hyde Park, Searingtown, Williston Park
Roslyn Senior Center, weekdays 9 to 4 Trinity Episcopal Church, 1579 Northern Boulevard, Roslyn 516-944-9654 Roslyn, Port Washington, Manorhaven, Greenvale, East Hills
Westbury Senior Center, weekdays 8:30 to 3:30, no rides 360 Post Avenue, Westbury 516-334-5886 Westbury, Carle Place, Old Westbury
Port Washington Adult Activities Center 80 Manorhaven Boulevard, Port Washington 516-883-6656 Port Washington

How do I apply for Medicaid in North Hempstead?

At 65 and older, 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. For care at home, apply at DSS or call 516-227-8111. Read about home care and the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program in New York, which lets you hire a family member.

In 2026, one person can have up to $1,836 a month in income, or $1,856 with the $20 the state doesn't count. Savings can be up to $33,038, the state says. The same form 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.

Where can I get free Medicare counseling in North Hempstead?

You can get free Medicare counseling from the Family & Children's Association at 516-485-3754, which runs HIICAP in Nassau County. Counselors help you compare plans, and the state line is 1-800-701-0501. HIICAP and Pair Team don't sell plans.

How do I get senior housing or repair help in North Hempstead?

The North Hempstead Housing Authority runs Magnolia Gardens in Westbury and Manhasset Valley in Manhasset, with one list for both. Your place depends on points for the date you applied, living in the town, being a veteran or having no home. You ask about your status by mail.

Its Homestead Senior Apartments at 252 Grand Street in Westbury are for people 62 and older. They still take applications for the waiting list. In Great Neck, ask the Great Neck Housing Authority about Arrandale. See housing help in New York.

Outside the villages, the town's Community Development Agency gives grants up to $15,000 for emergency repairs and ramps. It also lends up to $35,000 with no interest, or $50,000 for access changes, repaid when you sell. The senior tax exemption cuts property taxes by 5% to 50% for owners 65 and older, with income up to $58,399.

Where can I get food and help with bills?

For food help, 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 at 516-805-1642.

For food this week, call St. Aloysius Interfaith Food Pantry in Great Neck (516-829-8343) or Our Lady of Fatima in Port Washington (516-883-3903). In New Hyde Park, try Holy Spirit (516-358-5339). Text your ZIP code to 631-450-3775 for more.

HEAP in New York takes applications from November 2, 2026, for one person making up to $3,563 a month. A HEAP grant gets you $45 or more off each PSEG Long Island bill.

What a Pair Team advocate does

In North Hempstead, a call to us often starts with a Medicaid letter or a ride that's hard to plan. Here's what we do:

  • Call 311 with you to set up rides and a nurse or social worker visit.
  • Apply for Medicaid with you and call DSS until there's an answer.
  • Help you apply to the Housing Authority and keep your address current.
  • Help you apply for a repair grant, the senior tax exemption and HEAP.

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 a village like Great Neck Plaza or Port Washington North. Is this my page?

Yes, this page is yours if you live in a village in North Hempstead. Project Independence serves residents across the town. For repair grants, ask your village hall instead.

I live in Glen Cove. Is this my page?

If you live in Glen Cove, this page isn't yours, because Glen Cove is a city. See Medicare help in Nassau County for its senior center.

How long is the wait for a Housing Authority apartment?

The wait for a Housing Authority apartment changes, so the authority can't give a date. Send any change of address in writing, or update it at northhempstead.housingmanager.com.

Can I get a free phone that calls 911?

Yes, you can get a free phone that only calls 911 through Phones for Life. It's for older adults, people with disabilities and abuse survivors, at 917-834-8268.

What if DSS denies my Medicaid?

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

Sources

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