Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski
A Special Message for
Senior Citizens
from
Assemblyman
Ken
Zebrowski
2010 Edition

Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski
2010 Senior Update

Dear Neighbor,

Changes in the economy over the past few years have necessitated budget cuts and the reevaluation of programs. This is true on all levels of government: federal, state, county, town, and village.

Despite the current recession, however, I have fought to preserve programs that assist New York’s senior citizens.

This brochure is a reminder of some of those programs, as well as others, that you might find of interest. Please feel welcome to call my district office at 845-634-9791 if you need additional information.

Sincerely,
signature
Kenneth P. Zebrowski


PROGRAMS FOR ASSISTANCE

Many seniors find that over time their fixed incomes are worth less due to the effects of inflation. Fortunately, there is some relief available in the form of assistance programs. While many of these programs have explicit income-eligibility requirements, it is worth checking to see whether you qualify and could use any of the following:

EPIC
Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage is a New York State program that helps income-eligible NYS residents 65 or older pay for their prescription drugs. There are two types of plans: the Fee Plan and the Deductible Plan. Income limits for the Fee Plan are $20,000 or less for individuals and $26,000 (combined income) for married couples. Income limits for the Deductible Plan are $20,001 to $35,000 for individuals and $26,001 to $50,000 (combined income) for married couples. All enrollees are required to have Medicare Part D as their primary prescription coverage. EPIC is secondary coverage. For more information contact the EPIC Helpline at 800-332-3742.

EISEP*
Expanded In-home Services for the Elderly Program provides case management and non-medical in-home services to seniors age 60 and over. Fees are based on a sliding scale. Those already receiving assistance from Medicaid or any other entitlement program are not eligible for this program. For more information call 845-364-2115.

HIICAP*
Health Insurance Information, Counseling and Assistance Program provides information and counseling assistance to seniors concerning Medicare, health insurance issues, private health insurance and related benefits, including EPIC. For more information call 845-364-2118.

HEAP*
Home Energy Assistance Program is a grant program that subsidizes heating bills from November through May. It is available for residents 60 or older, who meet income guidelines or who are already collecting SSI benefits. Monthly income limits are $2,030 for individuals and $2,657 (combined income) for married couples. For more information call 845-364-2108.

WRAP*
Weatherization Referral and Packaging is a home weatherization service for HEAP-qualified seniors. For more information call 845-364-2101.

CAREGIVER RESPITE*
Provides caregivers (giving care to someone over 60) with various types of relief. There are no income qualifications for the week-long respite program. For more information call 845-364-3444.

SENIOR CARE HELPLINE*
Offers preliminary telephone evaluation of long-term care needs and provides referrals to appropriate service programs ranging from delivery of meals to nursing home placements. There are no income eligibility limitations on this program. For more information call 845-364-3444.

*These programs are provided through the Rockland County Office for the Aging, which is funded by the Rockland County Legislature, the New York State Office for the Aging, and the Older Americans Act. To contact the Rockland County Office for the Aging, call 845-364-2110.

PROPERTY TAX RELIEF

Recently, Assemblyman Zebrowski negotiated to save the STAR Exemption to continue its property tax relief for homeowners. Following is information about the STAR, Senior Enhanced STAR, and Low Income Senior tax exemptions. Please note that all exemption applications must be filed with the Assessor in your town no later than March 1st.

BASIC STAR
Basic Star does not need to be renewed. As long as there is no change in title, you only need to file once to maintain the school tax benefits. Eligibility is based upon ownership and primary residency.

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SENIOR ENHANCED STAR
Enhanced Star has an additional eligibility requirement based upon income; therefore, this exemption must be renewed each year. Current income limits are based on the 2009 income tax year and your adjusted gross income cannot exceed $79,050. If you have signed up for the automatic income verification program (you must file NYS Income Taxes to do this), you do not have to file a renewal application with the Assessor as long as NYS Taxation & Finance can continue to verify your income eligibility. Letters were mailed in January 2010 notifying seniors in this program of the determination of the State. In addition to the ownership, residency and income requirements, you must be 65 years of age or older.

LOW INCOME SENIOR
This exemption must be renewed annually. Renewal notices are mailed at the end of December. Again, you must be 65 years of age or older and reside in your own home. However, the income limit is much stricter than the Enhanced Star. For this exemption, your 2010 gross income from all sources, including Social Security, pensions, interest, etc. must be below $37,400. You may deduct out-of-pocket medical expenses, which must be documented.

For more information about exemptions, contact your local Assessor:

Clarkstown
845-639-2031

Haverstraw
845-942-3718

Ramapo
845-357-5100 ext. 255

or go to the website of the NYS Real Property Services at www.orps.state.ny.us.

PARKS AND RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES

New York State
The Golden Park Program allows New York State residents, age 62 or over and who show a valid NYS Driver License or NYS Non-Driver ID Card, free vehicle access to state parks on non-holiday weekdays. (This program does not apply to weekends or holidays.) For more information contact the NYS Parks Regional Office at Bear Mountain by calling 845-786-2701 or online at http://nysparks.state.ny.us/admission/

Federal
The National Park Service offers a “Senior Pass” for $10, which allows free access to hundreds of national recreation sites throughout the country. It must be purchased in person at one of those sites. Two sites nearest to Rockland County are Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt in Hyde Park (845-229-9115) and Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace in New York City (212-260-1616). Additional information is available online at: www.nps.gov

Rockland County
The RC Division of Environmental Resources oversees the county’s network of 23 parks comprising 2,579 acres. All of the parks are free to individuals, although there are fees for groups of twelve or more. For a Parks Brochure or other information, call 845-364-2670 or go online at http://www.co.rockland.ny.us/environ/county/parks.htm

Town Parks
All of the towns in the 94th Assembly District have much to offer in terms of affordable recreational facilities, senior clubs, discounts, and activities. For specific information contact your town:

Clarkstown
845-639-6200

Haverstraw
845-429-4099

Ramapo
845-357-6100

EDUCATION

Rockland Community College offers various educational opportunities for seniors. Listed below are just some of them.

(Also see RCC’s website at www.sunyrockland.edu)

Also, most of the school districts offer Continuing Education classes. Contact your school district directly for more information.

IMPORTANT CONTACTS

ALL EMERGENCIES
911

ASSEMBLYMAN KEN ZEBROWSKI
845-634-9791

SENIOR SERVICES:

Senior Citizens’ Resources (United States)
Website: http://www.usa.gov/topics/seniors.shtml
800-333-4636


Office for the Aging (Rockland County)
Website: http://www.co.rockland.ny.us/Age/index.htm
845-364-2110


Office for the Aging (New York State)
Website: http://www.aging.ny.gov/
800-342-9871


Meals on Wheels (Rockland County)
(Meals to homebound elderly)
Website: www.mowrockland.com
845-624-6325


SOCIAL SERVICES:

Information Rockland
Website: www.informationrockland.com
845-364-2020


TOURISM:

Dept. of Tourism (Rockland County)
(Information on events and places in Rockland)
Website: www.rockland.org
845-708-7300


TRANSPORTATION:

Dept. of Transportation (Rockland County)
(Information on available public transportation)
845-364-3333


Half Fare Programs (For ages 62+)
845-364-8747

Trips (For ages 60+)
Website: http://www.co.rockland.ny.us/PublicTrans
845-364-8747


VETERANS:

Veterans Service Agency (Rockland County)
Website: www.co.rockland.ny.us/vets/veterans.html
845-638-5244


Division of Veterans’ Affairs (NY State)
Website: http://veterans.ny.gov/
888-838-7697


Dept. of Veterans’ Affairs (United States)
Website: http://www.va.gov/
800-827-1000



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