Every year, millions of dollars in benefits meant for Erie County seniors go unclaimed. Not because the money ran out. Not because people were rejected. But because nobody told them the programs existed.
If you are 55 or older and live in Erie County, read this carefully. These six programs are real, they are funded, and many of them have enrollment windows that close. Take 15 minutes today to see which ones apply to you.
Program #1: HEAP — The Heating Bill Help Most People Don't Claim
The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) helps income-eligible households pay their heating bills — run through the Erie County Department of Social Services at 460 Main Street, Buffalo.
For a single-person household, the current monthly income limit is $3,473. For a two-person household, it is $4,542. If you receive SNAP, Temporary Assistance, or SSI, you automatically qualify. You can own your home, have savings, or even have investments — and still be eligible.
Households that heat with oil, kerosene, or propane and pay directly to the vendor can receive $900 or more per year.[1],[2] Apply online at mybenefits.ny.gov, or call 716-858-7644. There is also an Emergency HEAP benefit if you face a heating crisis mid-season.
Program #2: EPIC — The Prescription Drug Savings New Yorkers Keep Missing
EPIC (Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage) is a New York State program that wraps around your Medicare Part D plan to reduce prescription drug costs. Here is what makes EPIC unusual: you can earn up to $75,000 per year as a single person, or $100,000 as a married couple, and still qualify.[3] Assets — savings, investments, property — are not counted at all.
EPIC reduces your Medicare Part D co-payments to as little as $3–$20 per prescription. For members with income below $23,000 (single), EPIC also pays your Medicare Part D premium. There is no enrollment window — you can apply any time of year at 1-800-332-3742.
Why people miss it: Many seniors hear "elderly" in the name and assume it is for very low-income people only. It is not. A retired couple with a combined income of $95,000 can still qualify for meaningful prescription savings.
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Program #3: Enhanced STAR — The Property Tax Break Hiding on Your Bill
The Enhanced STAR exemption reduces the school tax portion of your property tax bill. For eligible seniors in Erie County, this translates to hundreds of dollars in annual savings. Income limit is $107,300 based on 2023 income — and this limit increases slightly each year.[4]
Apply at your local assessor's office by March 1 each year. If you already receive Basic STAR and are turning 65 this year, apply to upgrade before that deadline. If you receive a STAR credit check instead of an exemption, NYS will upgrade you automatically if you qualify.
Program #4: FeedMore WNY SNAP Enrollment — Free Grocery Help You May Already Qualify For
SNAP (formerly food stamps) provides monthly grocery benefits loaded onto an EBT card. FeedMore WNY, at 100 James E. Casey Drive in Buffalo, offers free SNAP outreach and enrollment assistance for Erie County adults. A single-person household can receive up to $298 per month in benefits that work like a debit card at most local grocery stores.
Call FeedMore WNY at 716-822-2005, extension 3052 to schedule a free appointment. You can also apply at mybenefits.ny.gov[6] or call Erie County at 716-858-7239.
Program #5: NY Connects — The Caregiver Lifeline in Erie County
NY Connects is a free information and referral service run by the Erie County Department for the Aging. It connects seniors and their family caregivers with home health aides, transportation, meal delivery, respite care, and caregiver counseling — with no income requirement and no application process. You simply call.
Call 716-858-8526[5] or toll-free 800-396-2705, Monday–Friday, 8:30am–4:30pm. Or email nyconnects@erie.gov.
The hidden value: Many families wait until a crisis — a fall, a hospitalization — to call NY Connects. Call now to understand what is available, so you have a plan before you need one.
Program #6: AARP Smart Driver Course — Up to 10% Off Car Insurance for 3 Years
New York State legally requires auto insurers to offer premium discounts to drivers who complete a state-approved driver improvement course. AARP's Smart Driver course qualifies. The standard discount is up to 10% on your auto insurance premium for three years. On a $1,200/year policy, that is $360 in savings — for a course that takes a few hours and costs about $20.
Enroll at aarpdriversafety.org. You do not need to be an AARP member. After completing the course, present your certificate to your insurance company and request the discount.
The Easiest Way to Start
Call NY Connects. Tell them you want to know what programs you qualify for. They will walk you through the rest — at no cost.
Erie County Department for the Aging · Mon–Fri 8:30am–4:30pm
These six programs are not charity. They are funded by tax dollars — your tax dollars, paid in over decades of working in Western New York. Claiming them is exactly what they were designed for. Always verify current eligibility rules and deadlines directly with the administering agency, as income limits and program windows change annually.
Sources
- New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA), "Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) — 2025–2026 Regular Benefits." https://otda.ny.gov/programs/heap/
- Erie County Department of Social Services, "HEAP Regular Benefits — 2025–2026 Benefit Amounts." https://www3.erie.gov/heap/regular-benefits
- New York State Department of Health, "EPIC (Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage) Program." https://www.health.ny.gov/health_care/epic/
- New York State Office of Real Property Tax Services (ORPS), "Enhanced STAR — Income Limit and Eligibility." https://www.tax.ny.gov/pit/property/star/
- NY Connects — Erie County Department for the Aging, "NY Connects: Link to Services for Older Adults." https://www.nyconnects.ny.gov/
- New York State, "myBenefits — Apply for SNAP and Other Assistance Online." https://mybenefits.ny.gov/