Medicare Help in Utica

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

In Utica, the county's Department of Social Services takes Medicaid and Medicare Savings Program applications at 800 Park Avenue. It also runs the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), once called food stamps, and the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP). The county's Office for Aging and Continuing Care gives free Medicare advice and sets up meals, rides and help at home. The Center on Bleecker Street helps refugee families with health care and benefits. This page covers East Utica, West Utica, North Utica, Cornhill, South Utica, Downtown and the rest of the city. If your mother reads Bosnian, Burmese or Karen better than English, start with The Center. If you also help family in Central New York, see Medicare help in Syracuse.

Local offices in Utica

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 Utica?

In Utica, you can apply for Medicaid at 65 or older without going in. Call (315) 798-5511, and the county mails you an application. Mail it back with your papers, and there's no in-person interview. Without long-term care needs, you can also apply through NY State of Health at 1-855-355-5777, the state says.

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 office 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, start with the New York Independent Assessor at 855-222-8350, the county says. With the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP), you can hire your own aide. See Home Care and CDPAP in New York.

Where can I get a senior meal in Utica?

At 60 or older, you can eat lunch at two county dining sites in Utica. Reserve 24 hours ahead, and the suggested gift is $2.25.

If you can't get out, call (315) 798-5456 about meals at home. Frozen meals come weekly, for a suggested $2.75 a meal.

Where can I get free Medicare advice in Utica?

You can get free Medicare advice in Utica from HIICAP at the Office for Aging. Call (315) 798-5456 to meet a counselor at the North Utica community center, 50 Riverside Drive, on a Monday, Wednesday or Friday. Open Enrollment runs October 15 to December 7 each year. HIICAP and Pair Team don't sell plans.

How do I get rides in Utica?

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

• Centro buses are half fare at 65 or older if you show your Medicare card and a photo ID. Half-fare photo IDs are made at 15 Elizabeth Street on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8 to 9 a.m. and 2 to 3 p.m. The ID costs $2 in cash.
• Call-A-Bus is Centro's shared van for people whose disability keeps them off the bus. Call (315) 442-3400 for a form, which a health care worker also fills out.
• Volunteer rides to medical visits come through the Office for Aging and 50 Forward. Call (315) 798-5456 two to three weeks ahead.
• 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 Utica?

To get senior housing in Utica, apply to People First, which was once called the Utica Municipal Housing Authority. Start at its main office in Perretta Twin Towers, 509 Second Street, or call (315) 735-5246. Its three senior buildings are downtown: Perretta Twin Towers on Second Street, and Chancellor Apartments and Marino-Ruggiero on Bleecker Street. See housing help in New York.

How do I get help with heating bills in Utica?

In Utica, regular HEAP takes applications for the 2026-27 winter from November 2, 2026. One person can make up to $3,563 a month. Apply at mybenefits.ny.gov or at 800 Park Avenue, and many people can do the interview by phone. For help with the form, call the Office for Aging at (315) 798-5456. If you get SNAP, your HEAP may go straight to your heating company. 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 Utica?

For food help in Utica, apply for SNAP at mybenefits.ny.gov, or call the SNAP hotline at (315) 798-5502. 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.

For food today, the Rescue Mission of Utica hands out boxes at 1013 West Street on Monday, Thursday and Friday. Boxes go out at 9 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. until they're gone, and you can come up to twice a month.

What a Pair Team advocate does

In Utica, you can apply for Medicaid by phone and mail, so we can work on it with you at home. Here's what we do:

• Call (315) 798-5511 for your Medicaid form, fill it out with you, and follow up until there's an answer.
• Help you apply to People First for Perretta Twin Towers or Chancellor Apartments.
• Help you get a Centro half-fare ID or apply for Call-A-Bus.
• Get your HEAP form in early, and call National Grid with you.

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 Rome or New Hartford. Is this my page?

Yes, if you live in Rome or New Hartford, this page covers your county offices, because they serve all of Oneida County. Rome also has a Social Services office on West Dominick Street.

Can I get help in Bosnian, Burmese or Karen?

Yes, you can get help in Bosnian, Burmese or Karen. The Center's Health Access Program helps refugees and immigrants keep benefits and sort out medical bills, with language help on request. Call (315) 738-1083, extension 125. Its interpreter service, Compass Interpreters, works in these languages, and your doctor's office can book one at (315) 749-7080.

Can a family member get paid to care for my parent?

Yes, a family member can get paid to care for your parent in some cases, the county says. Your parent or someone else must direct the care. With Medicaid, ask about CDPAP. Without it, call the Office for Aging at (315) 798-5456.

Can someone help my parent pay bills each month?

Yes, someone can help your parent pay bills through the Office for Aging's Bill Payer Program, run with 50 Forward. Volunteers help write checks and balance a checkbook. Call (315) 798-5456 to ask for an assessment.

What if Oneida County denies my Medicaid?

If Oneida 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

• Medicaid, Oneida County Department of Social Services
• SNAP, Oneida County Department of Social Services
• HEAP, Oneida County Department of Social Services
• Office for Aging and Continuing Care, Oneida County
• HIICAP, Oneida County Office for Aging and Continuing Care
• Senior Nutrition, Oneida County Office for Aging and Continuing Care
• History, People First
• Housing Application, People First
• Perretta Twin Towers, People First
• Health Access Program, The Center
• Interpretation (Compass Interpreters), The Center
• Contact, The Center
• Community Service Program, Rescue Mission of Utica
• Call-A-Bus, Centro
• Half Fares, Passes and ID Cards, Centro
• HEAP Contacts, Oneida 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
• Contact Center, Medical Answering Services
• Help Making Payments, National Grid Upstate New York
• Upstate NY Phone Numbers, National Grid