Medicare Help in Ulster County

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

In Ulster 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). Its offices are on Development Court in Kingston, next to the Office for the Aging, which serves people 60 and older. This page covers Kingston, New Paltz, Saugerties, Woodstock, Rosendale, Ellenville and the rest of the county. If you've stopped driving and Kingston feels far away, start with the rides section, because the bus is free. Across the river, see Medicare help in Dutchess County.

Local offices in Ulster County

Not sure you qualify? Apply anyway, because the Medicaid office screens everyone who comes in, 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 Ulster 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 Ulster County, the Medicaid office at 1001 Development Court in Kingston handles the Medicare Savings Program and care at home.

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 (845) 334-5307. 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. The Office for the Aging can also set up a personal care aide, with a case manager to follow up. See home care and CDPAP in New York.

Where can I get free Medicare counseling in Ulster County?

You can get free Medicare counseling from HIICAP at the Office for the Aging, 1003 Development Court in Kingston. Call (845) 340-3456 for a one-on-one appointment there, or ask for one closer to home. In 2023, HIICAP helped 1,899 people in the county, 554 of them during Open Enrollment, the county says. 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 Ulster County?

In Ulster County, UCAT buses and paratransit cost nothing to ride, for every rider, UCAT says.

• Buses link Kingston with Saugerties, New Paltz, Woodstock, Phoenicia and the Poughkeepsie train station. New Paltz also has a loop on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Call (845) 334-8458 to plan a trip.
• Senior rides start when you register with the Office for the Aging at 60 or older. Then you get one round trip for shopping and two for medical visits each week, on UCAT or the wheelchair van. Book at (845) 334-8120.
• ADA Paratransit, under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), is for people whose disability keeps them off the bus. Call (845) 943-6115 to apply, then book at (845) 334-8120 by the day before.
• 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 and electric bills in Ulster County?

In Ulster 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 mail the paper form to DSS HEAP, 1021 Development Court, Kingston, NY 12401. You can also drop it off at Ulster County Community Action in Kingston or Ellenville. HEAP doesn't need an in-person interview, but staff may call you. For a heat emergency, call (845) 334-5436. See utility bill help in New York.

After a HEAP grant, Central Hudson adds a monthly credit to your bill for 18 months. With a grant of up to $400, that's $67.99 a month on electric, the utility says.

Where can I get food and meals in Ulster County?

For food money, apply for SNAP at mybenefits.ny.gov or at DSS. Most interviews are by phone, the county says. 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 an Office for the Aging Community Café. Call (845) 443-8836 to sign up and reserve. The suggested gift is $3, and no one is turned away.

If you can't leave home or cook, the Office for the Aging delivers two weeks of frozen meals at a time, at no charge (845-340-3456).

For groceries, People's Place at 17 St. James Street in Kingston lets you shop its pantry once a week (845-338-4030). In New Paltz, Family of New Paltz at 51 North Chestnut Street runs a food pantry (845-255-8801).

How do I find senior housing in Ulster County?

To find senior housing in Ulster County, start with the Office for the Aging's list of subsidized apartments. Most have waiting lists, so apply early, the county says. In Kingston, the Kingston Housing Authority at 132 Rondout Drive runs Brigham Seniors on O'Neil Street (845-331-1955). In New Paltz, try Huguenot Park Apartments at 45 North Chestnut Street (845-255-5305). In Saugerties, try Saugerties Senior Housing at 155 Main Street (845-247-0612). See housing help in New York.

What a Pair Team advocate does

In Ulster County, a call to us often starts with signing up for the free senior rides. Here's what we do:

• Apply for Medicaid with you, then call (845) 334-5175 until there's an answer.
• Register you with the Office for the Aging, then book your medical rides at (845) 334-8120.
• Send in your HEAP form, then check that the Central Hudson credit shows up.
• Book a HIICAP appointment, and save you a seat at a Community Café.

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 New Paltz or Saugerties. Is this my page?

Yes, this page covers New Paltz, Saugerties and the rest of Ulster County. The county offices are in Kingston, but both towns have a Community Café and free UCAT buses. To the south, see Medicare help in Orange County, New York.

Is the UCAT bus free for older adults?

Yes, the UCAT bus is free for older adults and for everyone else, UCAT says. That includes the regular routes and paratransit.

Can someone come with me on the medical van?

Yes, someone can come with you on the medical van. Tell UCAT at (845) 334-8120 when you book that an aide is coming, and the aide rides free.

Where do I drop off a HEAP form in Ellenville?

You can drop off a HEAP form in Ellenville at Ulster County Community Action, 2 Clinton Avenue. Call (845) 338-8750, extension 300, before you go.

What if Ulster County denies my Medicaid?

If Ulster 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

• Department of Social Services, Ulster County
• Medicaid and Medical Assistance Program, Ulster County Department of Social Services
• SNAP, Ulster County Department of Social Services
• HEAP, Ulster County Department of Social Services
• Office for the Aging, Ulster County
• Medicare and Insurance Assistance (HIICAP), Ulster County Office for the Aging
• NY Connects, Ulster County Office for the Aging
• Personal Care and Home Care, Ulster County Office for the Aging
• Community Cafés for Seniors, Ulster County Office for the Aging
• Home Delivered Meals, Ulster County Office for the Aging
• Medical Trips for Seniors, Ulster County Office for the Aging
• Subsidized Senior Housing, Ulster County Office for the Aging
• Routes, Schedules and Maps, UCAT
• Senior Services, UCAT
• ADA Paratransit, UCAT
• How to Ride, UCAT
• HEAP Contacts, Ulster 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
• Contact Us, New York Independent Assessor Program
• Contact Center, Medical Answering Services
• Energy Affordability Program, Central Hudson
• Contact Us by Phone, Central Hudson
• Kingston Housing Authority home page
• Food Pantry, People's Place
• Family of New Paltz, Family of Woodstock