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Senior Services Guide 
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Important Numbers
Answers to seniors' questions and complaints
(212) 669-7670
Referrals to appropriate agencies to help
solve a range of problems
(212) 442-1000
Located throughout the city, senior centers provide are lunches, recreation, counseling and companionship. For the one nearest you, call the Department for the Aging at
(212) 442-1000.
Regular monthly payments to insured senior citizens. Dependents and survivors may also be eligible. For more information, call the You can call Social Security Administration 24 hours a day and speak to a representative on business days from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Many publications describing benefits for retirees can be ordered over the phone.
Social Security's toll-free number 1 (800) 772-1213
The ombudsman office will answer questions about health care and long-term care.
(212) 962-7817 Case Management
(212) 962-7559 General Number
(212) 962-2720 Ombudsman Office
Volunteers for this national not-for-profit advocacy group counsel callers on Medicare issues.
(800) 333-4114 ext.1 Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
VNS helps you get healthcare benefits, housing, in-home and community-based services, counseling in money management, and help with resource planning for long and short term needs.
(212) 463-9819 or (212) 463-9814 or 1 (800) VNS-6550.
You can get birth and death certificates, necessary when you apply for some benefits by calling the Department of Health's Bureau of Vital Records.
(212) 788-4520
For information about marriage licenses and domestic partnership certification, call the Marriage License Bureau (718) 816-2290 for Staten Island or (212) 669-2400x1 for other boroughs.
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Help with Housing
The Department for the Aging publishes booklets for each borough listing housing options for senior citizens, including assisted living, enriched housing, adult homes, public housing, shared housing, Sections 202 and 8 housing and family-type homes for adults.
(212) 442-1000
HEAP helps pay fuel and utilities bills for people whose monthly income does not exceed $1,006 for one and $1,356 for two. One grant is given a year, usually between $40. and $315. Applications are available in November and it is important to apply early since funds are limited.
(212) 442-1000
SCRIE exempts senior citizens from rent increases and allows landlords to deduct the exempted increase from property taxes. You qualify if:
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You live in a rent-regulated apartment or hotel |
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You are 62 or older |
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Your annual household income is $24,000 or less |
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Your monthly rent, including any increase, is more than one-third of your monthly household income |
Tenants who live in a Public Housing Authority Project or receive Section 8 rental subsidies do not qualify for SCRIE benefits.
You can get help filling out and following up on your application from most senior centers and elected officials' staffs. Call the Department for the Aging for an application.
(212) 442-1000.
If you live in a Mitchell-Lama building, call the Department of Housing Preservation and Development.
(212) 863-8494
SCHE provides a tax reduction of up to 50% for property owners who own and live in a one-, two- or three-family home, a co-op or condominium. You must be at least 65, with an income of $27,900 or less. Apply to the Assessment Office in your borough:
Bronx (718) 579-6956
Brooklyn (718) 802-3560
Manhattan (212) 361-7660
Queens (718) 298-7099
Staten Island (718) 815-8511
STAR provides a reduction in the school portion of property taxes for people who own and live in one-, two-, or three-family homes, co-ops or condominium with an increased exemption for senior citizens whose incomes are $60,000 or less. If you have SCHE you automatically qualify for STAR and do not have to apply.
STAR Exemption Office (212) 361-8215
These groups provide technical and financial management assistance to elderly homeowners. Some provide grants and low-cost home improvement loans.
Citywide
(212) 519-2500
Bronx
South (718) 992-5979
North (718) 881-1180
Brooklyn
Bedford-Stuyvesant (718) 919-2100
Flatbush (718) 469-4679
Home ownership (Bklyn) (718) 230-7610
Manhattan
Harlem (212)-662-0472
Queens
North (718)-457-1017
Jamaica (718)-291-7400
Staten Island
(718) 442-8080
Jamaica, Queens, Housing Improvement
(718) 658-5050 e-mail: JHI2@IX.netcom.com
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Staying Healthy
Medicare covers all senior citizens for basic hospital and medical services beginning at the age of 65. Part A provides hospital insurance, nursing home care, hospice care and some home care. There are no premiums, but there are deductibles and coinsurance payments.
Part B provides supplementary medical insurance for doctor visits, many lab tests, durable medical equipment, ambulance transportation and other costs. Part B is voluntary, and requires payment of a monthly premium.
If you are 65 and apply for social security, you are automatically enrolled in Medicare. You must apply for Medicare if you continue to work past age 65.
If you do not enroll in Part B, you will pay higher premiums if you change your mind later on. Call the Social Security Administration
1 (800) 772-1213 or 1 (800) MED-ICAR (633-4227)
Medicaid is for people who cannot afford medical care. To be eligible, your income must be $659. per month or less, for one person; $950 or less for a married couple. Maximum assets are $3,950 for one, and $5,700 for two (excluding a burial fund). Call the Human Resources Administration.
(877) 472-8411 or (718) 557-1399
Several programs supplement Medicare A and/or B by covering deductibles, co-payments and other costs. Some are for low-income and disabled people: Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries (QMD) and Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiaries (SLMB). The programs open to all can be expensive. Call the Human Resources Administration
(718) 557-1399 or the Department for the Aging at (212) 676-9423.
The AARP offers its members a “Members Choice” pharmacy program with discounts for ordering drugs by mail (and also in participating pharmacies). (800) 456-2277 or www.aarppharmacy.com
EPIC helps pay for drugs for seniors over 65 with incomes below $18,500., for one, or $24,400 for a couple. You are eligible for EPIC if you have any other insurance coverage for drugs.Call the EPIC help line (800) 332-3742
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Getting Around
Everyone over age 65 may ride all N.Y.C. Transit Authority subways and buses at a reduced fare at all times. You need one of the following kinds of identification:
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Reduced Fare MetroCard |
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Medicare Card |
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NYC Department for the Aging |
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Temporary Reduced Fare Card |
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Access-A-Ride identification card |
For information about how to get a reduced fare MetroCard, call (718) 243-4999
Access-A-Ride is for people who unable to use the bus and subway system because of physical disabilities. You can get the extensive application by calling (877) 337-2017
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Legal Help
Bronx
LSNY Bronx
(718) 928-3700
Brooklyn
Legal Aid Society, Brooklyn Office for the Aging (60 and over)
(718) 645-3111
Manhattan
BLS Legal Services, Senior Citizen Law Office
(718) 488-7448
*This service is closing
its operation on June 30th, and is offering advice-only services
until then.
Effective July 1, 2005,
this program will be taken over by
Northern Manhattan Improvement
Corporation (if you reside north of 110th street)
(212) 822-8300
MFY Legal Services (if
you reside south of 110th street)
(212) 417-3700
Queens
Queens Legal Services for the Elderly
(718) 286-1500
Staten Island
Legal Aid Society
(718) 273-6677
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Help for Abused Elders
NYC Department for the Aging (Elderly Crime Victim Resource Center)
(212) 442-3103
NY Foundation for Senior Citizens Guardian Services
(212) 962-7730
Victim Services Agency, Safe Horizon
(212) 577-7777 (24-hours)
Walk the Walk, Shelter for Aging
(718) 433-0800
Alpha Omega Clinic (drug and alcohol abuse)
(718) 433-2509
Brooklyn
Interfaith Medical Center, Mobile Crisis Unit
(718) 935-7284
Manhattan
The East Side Elder Abuse Prevention Project
(212) 879-7400
Victim Services Agency (Harlem)
(212) 316-2100
West Side One Stop/One Stop Senior Support Project
(212) 864-7900
HRA/Protective Services for Adults
(212) 971-2858 or (212) 971-2710 or (212) 971-2864
Referral for general abuse or impairment
(212) 630-1853; (212) 630 1868
Queens
Forest Hills Community House
(718) 592-5757
Jamaica Service Program for Older Adults
(718) 657-6500
HRA/Adult Protective Services
(718) 523-1480
Staten Island
Community Agency for Senior Citizens
(718) 981-6226
Staten Island Adult Protective Services
(718) 720-2801
HRA/Adult Protective Services
(718) 720-2800
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Volunteering your Time
A social action coalition that offers senior volunteers a leadership training course. The volunteers mobilize friends and neighbors to take action. Volunteers are also needed for office work.
(212) 273-5262
OWL is a national membership organization advocating for economic, political and social equality for mid-life and older women.
(212) 663-2932 Greater New York Chapter
The AARP provides services and information for older adults retired or planning retirement, including health insurance, member discounts and financial planning help. AARP also has a magazine and newspaper, social events, a job hub program to help find employment and a speakers' bureau. Many of the programs are run and staffed by volunteers.
(212) 758-1411
A coalition of age and youth, which educates and lobbies for social justice and human rights issues
(212) 799-7572
A wide range of programs for seniors in the lesbian and gay community, including social events, bereavement groups, creative writing, walking tours and long-term planning. Volunteers may also visit the homebound and do office work.
(212) 741-2247
Public Schools need tutors and surrogate grandparents. Call your school district office for more information.
Most Hospitals have volunteer programs and will welcome you. Call your local hospital.
Not-for-profits use volunteers. Call your favorite charity or call RSVP (see page 20).
Big Apple Greeters show visitors to New York around all the boroughs. You will be asked to take visitors on walking tours of neighborhoods you know. Volunteers who speak languages other than English are especially in demand.
(212) 669-2896 or www.bigapplegreeter.org
SCORE, the counseling arm of the Small Business Administration, sends experienced executives to advise new small business owners. It also conducts workshops on related topics. Volunteers must have been business executives or entrepreneurs.
(212) 264-4507 or info@scorenyc.org or www.scorenyc.org.
The NYC Substate Long Term Care Ombudsman Program uses senior citizen volunteers to ensure that nursing home residents are properly cared for.
(212) 962-2720
Mayor's Voluntary Action Center is a clearing house for recruiting and referring volunteers. (212) 788-7550 or www.nyc.gov/volunteer
Retired and Senior Volunteer Corps (RSVP) provides referrals to agencies seeking senior citizen volunteers.
• Bronx (718) 295-7940
• Brooklyn (718) 624-2853
• Manhattan (212) 614-5555
• Queens (718) 263-3638 or (212) 614-5555
• Staten Island (718) 494-3222
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Going to School
The Board of Education has a continuing education program throughout the city for adults of all ages. Courses include computer skills, English as a second language, literacy and GED.
• Citywide (718) 609-2770
• Bronx (718) 292-4104
• Brooklyn (718) 638-2635
• Manhattan (212) 666-1919
• Queens (718) 361 9480
• Staten Island (718) 761-0344
CUNY
Senior colleges (four-year): When space is available, people over 60 can audit courses tuition-free at any of the four-year senior colleges. Students do not takes tests or receive academic credit. Community colleges (two-year): Tuition-free when space is available, but students may participate fully in classes, doing homework, taking tests, and receiving grades and academic credit.
There is an administrative fee for both the senior and community college programs. Call the admissions office at a college convenient for you.
Bronx Community College
(Admissions) (718)289-5889
(General) (718)289-5100
(718) 289-5889 or www.bcc.cuny.edu
Hostos Community College
(718) 518-4405 Admissions or www.hostos.cuny.edu
Herbert H. Lehman College
(718) 960-8000 or www.lehman.cuny.edu
Brooklyn College (Admissions)
(718) 951-5001 or www.brooklyn.cuny.edu
Kingsborough Community College My Turn Program
(718) 368-5079 or www.kbcc.cuny.edu
Medgar Evers College
(718) 270-4900 or www.mec.cuny.edu
College of Technology
New York City Technical College
(718) 260-5000 or www.nyctc.cuny.edu
Bernard M. Baruch College
(212) 802-2000 or www.baruch.cuny.edu
Borough of Manhattan Community College
(212) 220-8000 or www.bmcc.cuny.edu
City College Quest Program
(212) 925-6625 X229 or www.ccny.cuny.edu
Hunter College
(212) 772-4000 or www.hunter.cuny.edu
John Jay College of Criminal Justice
(212) 237-8000 or www.jjay.cuny.edu
LaGuardia Community College
(718) 482-5000
Queens College
(718) 997-5000 or www.queens.cuny.edu
Adult Collegiate Education Program
In this program seniors can earn a degree. Some credits are given for life experiences.
(718) 997-5717
Center for Unlimited Enrichment
(718) 997-3635
Senior Citizen Auditing
For application call:
(718) 997-5411
Queensborough Community College
(718) 631-6262
Queensborough Community College of Continuing Education
(718) 631-6343 or www.ccny.cuny.edu
York College
(718) 262-2000 or www.york.cuny.edu
College of Staten Island
(718) 982-2000 or www.CSI.cuny.edu
Options for Older Adults
Relocation to Office of Continuing Education
(718) 932-2182
Manhattan
Columbia University Life long Learners
(212) 854-9699 or www.ce.columbia.edu
Fordham University College at 60
(212) 636-6372 or www.fordham.edu (Fordham’s Adult Degree Program)
New York University School of Continuing Education
(212) 998-7080 or www.scps.nyu.edu
School of Continuing Education Plus
(212) 790-1352
Pace University Adult Resource Center
(212) 346-1288 or www.pace.edu
Queens
St. Johns University
(718) 990-6161 or www.stjohns.edu
Continuing Education at St. John’s
(718) 990-6101
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Getting a Job
Programs for men and women, 55 years and older, who want to return to the workforce full or part time.
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Food Emporium Training Center
Prepares trainees for customer service sector jobs and claims 100% job placement at the end of the ten-week program. |
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Reise Restaurants Training Center
Consumer service sector jobs in food service, banking, finance, tourism and retail. |
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Ageworks Computer Training Center
Teaches Windows, data entry, word processing and basic use of the Internet. |
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Senior Community Service Employment Program
Provides on-the-job training in community service organizations. Participants receive per hour wages and benefits. |
(212) 442-1353 for all programs.
Senior Training and Employment Program
STEP is a 20-week full-time program that teaches office skills, typing, word processing, spreadsheets, business English, math, resume writing, interviewing and job search. The program is offered at two locations, both in Manhattan.
(212) 369-5523
New York State Department of Labor
The Older Worker Specialist can refer you to a wide variety of programs.
(212) 265-2700
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