Medicare Help in Syracuse

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

In Syracuse, most county offices are in the John H. Mulroy Civic Center, at 421 Montgomery Street downtown. The Department of Social Services takes your application for Medicaid and the Medicare Savings Program. It also runs the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), once called food stamps. The county's Office for Aging, NY Connects and Medicaid home care are there too. Syracuse also has Cityline and senior programs at city community centers, and SHA runs public housing. This page covers Eastwood, the Valley, the North Side, the West Side, the South Side, Westcott and the rest of the city. If a National Grid bill is past due and the first frost is coming, start with the heating section. If you also help family in Albany, Utica or Broome County, see their pages.

Local offices in Syracuse

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 Syracuse?

In Syracuse, you apply for Medicaid at 65 or older through the Department of Social Services at (315) 435-2928. Ask for form DOH-4220 and Supplement A. Mail your papers, fax them to (315) 435-3938, or use the drop box on the Civic Center's Madison Street side.

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. The same unit 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 Long Term Care Services at (315) 435-5600. New applicants also get a needs check from the New York Independent Assessor at 855-222-8350. With the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP), you can hire your own aide. See Home Care and CDPAP in New York.

Where are the senior centers in Syracuse?

The county's Office for Aging lists these senior centers in Syracuse. The city's Parks Department runs senior programs at two of them, Magnarelli and Robert Cecile, at (315) 473-2678. For a hot lunch at a senior dining site, register with PEACE, Inc. at (315) 470-3331. The county suggests $3.50 a meal, and no one is turned away.

Where can I get free Medicare advice in Syracuse?

You can get free Medicare advice in Syracuse from HIICAP at the Office for Aging, at (315) 435-2362. Counselors help with drug plans, Medigap, Extra Help and the Medicare Savings Program. Open Enrollment runs October 15 to December 7. HIICAP and Pair Team don't sell plans.

How do I get rides in Syracuse?

In Syracuse, you can get rides from Centro, the county or Medicaid.

• Centro buses cost $0.50 a ride at 65 or older if you show your Medicare card and a photo ID.
• Call-A-Bus is Centro's shared van for people whose disability keeps them off Centro buses. Call (315) 442-3400 for a form, which a health care worker also fills out. A trip costs $2.00.
• GoGoGrandparent lets people 60 and older book an Uber or Lyft by phone. The county pays toward two one-way trips a month, and each costs you $2.50. Sign up at (315) 435-1400.
• Medicaid rides to the doctor are booked through MAS at 866-932-7740, at least three days ahead.

How do I get senior housing in Syracuse?

To get senior housing in Syracuse, apply online to SHA's public housing list, and rent is based on 30% of your income. The wait is usually 6 months to 2 years, depending on the apartment size, SHA says. Senior buildings include Toomey Abbott Towers on Almond Street and Vinette Towers on Pond Street, the county's housing list says. For help, call (315) 475-6181 or stop by 516 Burt Street. See housing help in New York.

How do I get help with heating bills in Syracuse?

In Syracuse, regular HEAP takes applications from November 2, 2026, for one person making up to $3,563 a month. Apply at mybenefits.ny.gov or at the Civic Center. If you're 60 or older or disabled, the Office for Aging will help you apply at (315) 435-2362. If you get SNAP, your HEAP grant usually comes on its own, the county says. Emergency HEAP takes applications from January 4, 2027, at (315) 435-2700. See HEAP in New York.

National Grid customers can call 1-800-642-4272 about the Energy Affordability Program, a monthly bill credit for homes that qualify for HEAP.

Where can I get food help in Syracuse?

For food help in Syracuse, apply for SNAP at mybenefits.ny.gov, or call (315) 435-2700 for a form by mail. From October 1, 2026, one person 60 or older can get up to $306 a month with income up to $2,660. The Food Bank of Central New York helps you apply at no cost, at (315) 437-1899. See SNAP for seniors in New York.

What a Pair Team advocate does

In Syracuse, Medicaid, HEAP and home care paperwork all runs through the Civic Center on Montgomery Street. Here's what we do:

• Help you fill out the DOH-4220 and Supplement A, send them in, and call (315) 435-2928 until you have an answer.
• Help you apply for Call-A-Bus or a Centro half-fare ID, or sign up for GoGoGrandparent rides.
• Apply to SHA's public housing list with you, and follow up at 516 Burt Street.
• Get your HEAP form in as soon as HEAP opens, and call National Grid with you about a payment plan.

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 Clay. Is this my page?

Yes, if you live in Clay, this page covers your county offices, because they serve all of Onondaga County. For meals at home in Clay or Cicero, call North Area Meals on Wheels at (315) 452-1402.

Which floor of the Civic Center do I go to?

At the Civic Center, 421 Montgomery Street, SNAP and HEAP forms go to the 2nd floor. NY Connects and Long Term Care Services are on the 5th floor, and the Office for Aging is on the 10th. The Department of Social Services is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays.

How long does Call-A-Bus take to approve me?

Call-A-Bus can take up to 21 days to review your form and sign you up, Centro says. If it takes longer, you get rides until it decides.

Can I get help with Medicare drug costs in Syracuse?

Yes, HIICAP at (315) 435-2362 can help with Medicare drug costs through Extra Help and Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC). EPIC is the state's drug plan for people 65 and older, with incomes up to $75,000 for one person in 2026.

What if Onondaga County denies my Medicaid?

If Onondaga 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

• Apply for Medical Assistance, Onondaga County Department of Social Services
• Onondaga County Department of Social Services home page
• Apply for SNAP, Onondaga County Department of Social Services
• Apply for HEAP, Onondaga County Department of Social Services
• Office for Aging, Onondaga County
• HIICAP, Onondaga County Office for Aging
• Home Delivered Meals, Onondaga County Office for Aging
• Senior Dining, Onondaga County Office for Aging
• Onondaga County Senior Centers, Onondaga County Office for Aging (PDF)
• Senior Housing, Onondaga County Office for Aging (PDF)
• Transportation, Onondaga County Office for Aging
• Department of Adult and Long Term Care Services, Onondaga County
• Long Term Care Services, Onondaga County
• NY Connects of Onondaga County
• Contact, Syracuse Parks, Recreation and Youth Programs
• SYRCityline, City of Syracuse
• Syracuse Housing Authority home page
• Find a Home, Syracuse Housing Authority
• HEAP Contacts, Onondaga 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
• EPIC 2026 Program Highlights, New York State Department of Health
• Medicaid Transportation, New York State Department of Health
• Call-A-Bus, Centro
• Half Fares, Passes and ID Cards, Centro
• Fares and Passes, Centro
• SNAP, Food Bank of Central New York
• Help Making Payments, National Grid Upstate New York
• Grant Programs, National Grid Upstate New York