Medicare Help in Rochester, New York

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

In Rochester, the Monroe County Department of Human Services (DHS) takes your application for Medicaid and the Medicare Savings Program. It has offices at 111 Westfall Road and 691 St. Paul Street, and it also runs HEAP and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), once called food stamps. The county's Office for the Aging funds lunch clubs across the city, and Lifespan runs free Medicare counseling and NY Connects. Rochester also has its own 311, and RHA runs public housing. This page covers Downtown, Charlotte, Maplewood, the 19th Ward, the South Wedge, Park Avenue and the rest of the city. If a Rochester Gas and Electric (RG&E) shutoff notice is sitting on your counter, start with the heating section. If you also help family in Buffalo, see Medicare help in Buffalo.

Local offices in Rochester

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 Rochester?

In Rochester, you apply for Medicaid at 65 or older on a form and Supplement A from DHS. Call (585) 753-6960 to get them, or pick them up at either office.

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. DHS also 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 DHS Home Care Services Unit at (585) 753-6445. The same line answers questions about CDPAP, which lets you hire your own aide. New applicants also get a needs check from the New York Independent Assessor at 855-222-8350. See Home Care and CDPAP in New York.

Where can I eat lunch with other older adults in Rochester?

In Rochester, the county's Lunch Club serves people 60 and older, and their spouses, at senior and community centers. The county suggests $3.50 a meal and $1.00 for a ride each way, but no one is turned away. Call ahead to save a seat.

Where can I get free Medicare advice in Rochester?

You can get free Medicare advice in Rochester from Lifespan, which runs HIICAP for Monroe County. Call (585) 287-6413 to book a visit in person or by phone. Lifespan also holds monthly Medicare classes at (585) 743-1283. Each fall, Open Enrollment runs October 15 to December 7. HIICAP and Pair Team don't sell plans.

How do I get senior housing in Rochester?

To get senior housing in Rochester, apply for RHA's public housing list at rochesterhousing.org/apply, which shows which list is open now, RHA says. RHA has buildings for people over 50 or with a disability. They include Danforth Tower on West Avenue and Kennedy Tower on South Plymouth Avenue. If RHA adds you to a list, you get a letter within 10 days. See housing help in New York.

How do I get rides in Rochester?

In Rochester, you can get rides from RTS, Catholic Charities or Medicaid.

• RTS Access is the shared van for people whose disability keeps them off RTS buses. Call (585) 224-8330 and press 2 to ask for a form. A ride in the regular service area costs $2, and your card lets you ride RTS buses free.
• STAR, from Catholic Charities, is for people 60 and older with no one nearby to help. It gives rides to the doctor and the store at (585) 262-7050.
• Medicaid rides to the doctor are booked through MAS at 866-932-7740, at least three days ahead.

How do I get help with heating bills in Rochester?

In Rochester, regular HEAP takes applications from November 2, 2026, for one person making up to $3,563 a month. Apply at mybenefits.ny.gov, or call the county's HEAP line at (585) 753-6477. Lifespan also takes HEAP forms at (585) 244-8400, extension 102. See HEAP in New York.

Then ask RG&E for more help:

• A payment plan starts with a call to 877-266-3492.
• The Energy Affordability Program is a monthly bill credit. It starts on its own once your HEAP grant is on your RG&E account.
• Project SHARE gives a grant if you have a shutoff notice and other help has run out. It reopened September 14, 2026, and you can apply at 800-599-4327 on weekdays.

Where can I get food help in Rochester?

For food help in Rochester, apply for SNAP at mybenefits.ny.gov, or call (585) 753-6960 for a form by mail. If everyone applying is 60 or older or disabled, the county has a shorter form you can drop off at 691 St. Paul Street. The interview is by phone. 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.

Foodlink's benefits navigators help you keep SNAP for free at (585) 413-5091.

What a Pair Team advocate does

In Rochester, a Medicare question often comes with a letter from Westfall Road or an RG&E shutoff notice. Here's what we do:

• Get your Medicaid form and Supplement A from DHS, fill them out with you, and follow up until you have an answer.
• Apply to RHA's open list with you, and watch for its letter.
• Help you apply for RTS Access, then book your rides.
• Get your HEAP form in as soon as HEAP opens, and call RG&E with you about a payment plan or Project SHARE.

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 Greece. Is this my page?

Yes, if you live in Greece, this page covers your county offices, because Monroe County serves Greece, Irondequoit and Henrietta too. The Office for the Aging's Greece office is at 271 Greece Ridge Center Drive, (585) 753-2802.

I live in Rochester, Minnesota. Is this my page?

No, this page is for Rochester, New York, in Monroe County. To find help near Rochester, Minnesota, call the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116.

How do I book an RTS Access ride?

To book an RTS Access ride, call (585) 224-8330 and press 3, or book online. You can book up to seven days ahead. Have your card and exact fare ready, since drivers don't make change.

What if I get an RG&E shutoff notice?

If you get an RG&E shutoff notice, call RG&E at 877-266-3492 that day to ask for a payment plan. You can also bring a filled-in application to 691 St. Paul Street, where DHS checks you for emergency help. If that isn't enough, call Project SHARE at 800-599-4327.

What if Monroe County denies my Medicaid?

If Monroe 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

• Human Services, Financial Assistance (Medicaid, SNAP, HEAP), Monroe County
• Office for the Aging, Monroe County
• Office for the Aging Programs and Services, Monroe County
• Office for the Aging Nutrition Programs and Lunch Club sites, Monroe County
• HEAP Contacts, Monroe 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
• Medicare Services, Lifespan of Greater Rochester
• Rochester Housing Authority home page
• Apply for Public Housing, Rochester Housing Authority
• Over 50 and Disabled Housing Communities, Rochester Housing Authority
• 311: Click or Call to Connect, City of Rochester
• Eldercare Locator, Administration for Community Living
• RTS Access Fares and Passes, RTS
• Contacting RTS Access, RTS
• RTS Access Eligibility Process, RTS
• Save My SNAP, Foodlink
• Help With Your Bill, RG&E
• EAP and EEAP, RG&E
• Project SHARE, RG&E