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Pair Team

Medicare Help in Saratoga County

Saratoga County takes Medicaid forms in Ballston Spa for Saratoga Springs, Clifton Park and Malta. Here's who to call in 2026 for rides and meals.

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Key points

  • The Saratoga County Department of Social Services (DSS) takes Medicaid applications at 152 West High Street in Ballston Spa. Its Medicaid line is (518) 884-4148.
  • Free Medicare counseling from the Health Insurance Information, Counseling and Assistance Program (HIICAP) starts with a call to (518) 884-4100.
  • At 60 and older, you can eat lunch at the county's eight Gather and Dine sites for a suggested gift of $2 in 2026.
  • At 65 or older, a bus ride costs $0.75 with a half-fare card from the Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA).

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

In Saratoga County, DSS handles Medicaid and the Medicare Savings Program. It also runs the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP). The Department of Aging and Youth Services, for people 60 and older, shares its building in Ballston Spa. This page covers Saratoga Springs, Clifton Park, Malta, Ballston Spa, Halfmoon, Wilton and the rest of the county. Most buses run in Saratoga Springs, so if you've stopped driving in Malta, the ride section lists the vans that reach you. Next door, see Medicare help in Albany.

Local offices in Saratoga County

What you need Office Phone Website
Apply for Medicaid or the Medicare Savings Program, 65 and older DSS Medicaid office, 152 West High Street, Ballston Spa. Weekdays, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (518) 884-4148 saratogacountyny.gov
DSS main line DSS, 152 West High Street, Ballston Spa (518) 884-4140 saratogacountyny.gov
SNAP (money for food) DSS SNAP office. Weekdays, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (518) 884-4155 mybenefits.ny.gov
HEAP (heating bills) DSS HEAP office. At 60 and older, the aging department's HEAP unit (518) 884-4146; at 60 and older, (518) 884-4111 mybenefits.ny.gov
Aging services, meals, rides and free Medicare counseling (HIICAP) Department of Aging and Youth Services, 152 West High Street. Weekdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (518) 884-4100 saratogacountyny.gov
Help planning long-term care: NY Connects NY Connects of Saratoga County (518) 714-4826 or 1-800-342-9871 nyconnects.ny.gov
Bus routes and on-demand vans CDTA (518) 482-8822 cdta.org
Rides if a disability makes the bus hard to use Special Transit Available by Request (STAR), CDTA (518) 482-2022, option 4 cdta.org/star
Half-fare bus card, 65 and older CDTA ticket office, Saratoga Springs train station, 26 Station Lane (518) 584-8031 cdta.org/half-fare
Rides to medical visits, 60 and older, in Ballston, Charlton, Galway, Malta, Milton and Providence Wellness Express van (518) 399-3262 captaincares.org
Medicaid rides to the doctor Medical Answering Services (MAS), upstate line 866-932-7740 medanswering.com
Public and senior housing in Saratoga Springs Saratoga Springs Housing Authority, 1 South Federal Street (518) 584-6600 saratogaspringspha.org
Electric and gas bill help National Grid. Weekdays, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. 1-800-642-4272 nationalgridus.com
Heating emergency at night or on a weekend Saratoga County Sheriff's Office (518) 885-6761 otda.ny.gov

Not sure you qualify? Apply anyway, because DSS makes the call, and New York's Medicare Savings Program has no savings test. If you would rather not do it alone, a Pair Team advocate can help you in one call.

How do I apply for Medicaid in Saratoga County?

At 65 and older, you can apply at the county Department of Social Services, or on NY State of Health if you don't need long-term care, the state says. In Saratoga County, mail or bring form DOH-4220 and Supplement A to 152 West High Street.

In 2026, one person can have $1,836 a month in income, or $1,856 with the $20 the state doesn't count. The savings limit is $33,038. The same form checks you for the Medicare Savings Program, which takes income up to $2,494 a month for one person. It can pay the $202.90 a month Medicare costs you, usually taken out of your Social Security check. See Medicare and Medicaid together in New York.

For help at home, call NY Connects at (518) 714-4826. New Medicaid home care clients also get a needs check from the New York Independent Assessor at 855-222-8350. With the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP), you hire your own aide. See home care and CDPAP in New York.

Where can I get free Medicare counseling in Saratoga County?

You can get free Medicare counseling from HIICAP at the Department of Aging and Youth Services, at (518) 884-4100. Counselors help by phone or in person, and check you for Extra Help. One-on-one slots are limited because so many people call, the county says. If you can't get one, try the state HIICAP line at 1-800-701-0501. Each fall, Open Enrollment runs October 15 to December 7. HIICAP and Pair Team don't sell plans.

How do I get a ride in Saratoga County?

To get a ride in Saratoga County, pick the service that covers your town.

  • CDTA buses run in Saratoga Springs, and Route 450 goes to Schenectady on Route 50. At 65 or older, a ride costs $0.75 instead of $1.50.
  • FLEX (CDTA's van you book on demand) stops in Saratoga Springs, Clifton Park, Halfmoon and Mechanicville. Book in the Navigator app or at (518) 482-8822.
  • STAR is CDTA's shared van if a disability makes the bus hard to use. It goes within three quarters of a mile of a bus route, for $2.50 a trip.
  • Wellness Express takes people 60 and older in Ballston, Ballston Spa, Malta, Milton, Charlton, Galway and Providence to medical visits. Call (518) 399-3262 a week ahead.
  • Medicaid rides go through MAS at 866-932-7740, at least three days ahead. See Medicaid rides in New York.

How do I get help with heating bills in Saratoga County?

In Saratoga County, 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 DSS at (518) 884-4146. At 60 and older, the Department of Aging and Youth Services takes your HEAP form instead, at (518) 884-4111. If your heat goes out at night or on a weekend, call the Sheriff's Office at (518) 885-6761. See utility bill help in New York.

With HEAP, National Grid adds a monthly credit to your bill through its Energy Affordability Program (1-800-642-4272). Stillwater is on New York State Electric and Gas (NYSEG), which has its own credit.

Where can I get food and meals in Saratoga County?

For food money, apply for SNAP at mybenefits.ny.gov or at 152 West High Street. 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.

At 60 and older, you can eat a hot lunch at noon on weekdays at a Gather and Dine site. Call the site by noon the day before to reserve. The suggested gift is $2, and no one is turned away.

Town Gather and Dine site Phone
Clifton Park Clifton Park Senior Community Center, 6 Clifton Commons Court (518) 383-1343
Saratoga Springs Saratoga Senior Center, 290 West Avenue (518) 884-4100
Ballston Spa Milton Community Center, 310 Northline Road (518) 288-3952
Halfmoon Halfmoon Senior Center, 285 Lower Newtown Road (518) 371-3892
Mechanicville Mechanicville Senior Center, 178 North Main Street (518) 664-3924
South Glens Falls Moreau Community Center, 144 Main Street (518) 792-6007

If you can't cook, the county brings a hot lunch on weekdays between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. (518-884-4100).

For groceries, the Malta Community Service Center at 1 Bayberry Drive serves anyone in the county with a photo ID (518-899-4411). In Saratoga Springs, register with Franklin Community Center at 10 Franklin Street (518-587-9826).

How do I get senior housing in Saratoga Springs?

To get public housing in Saratoga Springs, apply to the Saratoga Springs Housing Authority at 1 South Federal Street. Call (518) 584-6600 for a form by mail. Its Stonequist Apartments high-rise has 176 studio and one-bedroom units. Rent is about 30% of your income. People over 62 get extra points on the list, but the wait can be a year or more, the authority says. See housing help in New York.

What a Pair Team advocate does

In Saratoga County, a call to us often starts with finding a ride outside Saratoga Springs. Here's what we do:

  • Apply for Medicaid with you, then call (518) 884-4148 until there's an answer.
  • Book a Wellness Express ride a week ahead, or set up FLEX or STAR.
  • Send your HEAP form to the right office, then check that the National Grid credit shows up.
  • Get you a HIICAP slot early in the fall, and save you a seat at a Gather and Dine site.

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 Clifton Park, Malta or Ballston Spa. Is this my page?

Yes, this page covers Clifton Park, Malta, Ballston Spa and every other town in Saratoga County. All the county offices are in Ballston Spa. Across the line in Rotterdam or Glenville, see Medicare help in Schenectady.

Where do I get a half-fare bus card in Saratoga County?

You get a half-fare bus card at the CDTA ticket office in the Saratoga Springs train station, 26 Station Lane. It's open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bring a photo ID that shows your age.

Does the Saratoga Senior Center help with more than lunch?

Yes, the Saratoga Senior Center at 290 West Avenue helps with more than lunch. Volunteers drive you to medical visits and the pharmacy. Call (518) 584-1621, extension 2010.

Can I do my SNAP interview by phone in Saratoga County?

Yes, you can do your SNAP interview by phone in Saratoga County, or ask to meet in person, the county says. Send papers by mail, by fax to (518) 714-4000 or with the NYDocSubmit app.

What if Saratoga County denies my Medicaid?

If Saratoga 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

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