Federal Assistance Programs

Food Stamps

Good health starts with good nutrition. If the rising cost of food prevents you and your family from enjoying a healthy diet, the Food Stamp program (funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture) may be the answer. While you can investigate the Food Stamp Program online and download application forms, the quickest way to find out if you qualify for Food Stamp benefits is to call the toll-free New York State Temporary Assistance Hotline at 1-800-342-3009.

Medicare

Full retirement and Medicare benefits are available at age 65, if you were born before 1938 and have at least ten years of qualifying work credits. (Eligibility rules vary slightly if you were born before 1929 or after 1938.) When you reach 65, your Medicare hospital benefits start automatically if you are already receiving Social Security payments. You must apply for Help with Prescription Drug Costs separately. If you are not yet receiving Social Security retirement benefits, you should sign up for Medicare as close to your 65th birthday as possible, even if you aren't ready to retire. Complete information on Social Security Retirement (including Medicare health benefits) can be found on the official Social Security web site. You can even begin the application process online.

The online Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool can help you to determine which Social Security benefits (Medicare, Social Security Disability, or Supplemental Security Income) you might qualify for. Those who are eligible for Social Security Disability benefits may also qualify for Medicare benefits. Recipients of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments often qualify to receive Medicaid health benefits.

You can contact the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. This is a toll-free call. You may also visit or call the local Binghamton office.

Veterans Benefits

Veterans may be eligible for primary care services at the community-based Outpatient Clinic in Binghamton and/or the Syracuse VA Medical Center.

You can find more information on eligibility and applying for VA Health Benefits on the Department of Veterans Affairs Web site, or by calling The Syracuse VA Medical Center at 1-888-823-9656, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. This is a toll-free call.