State Office for Aging Director Visits Hudson Valley Region To Promote Services Available To Older New Yorkers

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (12/17/2009)(readMedia)-- Michael J. Burgess, Director of the NYS Office for the Aging was in Poughkeepsie to promote services that will help older New Yorkers weather the economic downturn. The visit was part of Resources for Working Families Tour, an effort by state agency heads to promote their expanded suite of programs aimed at helping working families get the food, medicine, housing and employment services they need.

"Every New Yorker has basic rights: the right to food on their table and a roof over their head; the right to affordable health care and the opportunity to find work," Governor Paterson said. "That is why this holiday, I am asking agency commissioners to do their part to promote their expanded suite of State and federal programs aimed at helping working families and the increasing number of families looking for work to get the food, medicine, housing and employment services they need. In spite of recent budget cuts, I believe our dedicated civil servants provide real assistance for tens of thousands of New Yorkers."

Director Burgess, who's a member of Governor Paterson's Economic Security Cabinet, said, "It's important to keep in mind that even though our state is going through a fiscally challenging time, there's a range of benefits the state and federal governments provide that we want every New Yorker to be aware of and be able to access."

Burgess outlined efforts by his agency and Governor Paterson's administration to enhance the economic security of low- and moderate-income New Yorkers, particularly focusing on the social safety net for low-income older New Yorkers.

Burgess noted that the Medicare enrollees, who have until December 31st to change their selection of Medicare insurance provider, are benefiting from professional counseling made available through the State and County Office for Aging. "The many plans and options can be overwhelming to the consumer and help to review the benefit plans, costs and drug coverage is critically important," said Burgess. "Without help from HIICAP counselors, many beneficiaries can incur substantial out-of-pocket costs which could have been avoided."

The counseling, under the Health Insurance Information Counseling & Assistance Program (HIICAP,) is provided in large part by trained volunteers who help Medicare enrollees choose the appropriate plans that match their needs, through the EPIC program, and through the low income subsidy program. Volunteers are being recruited throughout the year and receive training and ongoing guidance.

Burgess was joined by Laura Mulvihill, NYS Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC) Program Coordinator, Betsy Brockway, Health & Human Services Cabinet Director for Dutchess county and John Beale, Director of the County Office for the Aging in describing resources for older residents. Mr. Beale pointed out that "When an older resident comes in for one form of assistance, our staff assess them for eligibility for the many services available that would help them to continue to live and age in the community."

Two programs that will help older New Yorkers especially at this time of year are HEAP (the Home Energy Assistance Program) and WRAP- (Weatherization Referral and Packaging.) The Office for the Aging also helps train and place older workers in local jobs. If qualified, many of these programs will put extra cash in the pockets of older residents.

Increasing access to, and coordination of, benefits offered by multiple State and federal agencies,

can help struggling low-income families make ends meet. Efforts to simplify the processes for applying for benefits help New Yorkers to eliminate the need to ask for information multiple times. A good example is the "Mybenefits.ny.gov" web site where individuals can now prescreen for Temporary Assistance, Food Stamps, Health Insurance, tax credits and other programs to help make ends meet and they can sign up for email alerts when hundreds of jobs statewide become open.

The Governor's Economic Security Cabinet was created as a vehicle to ensure a government-wide focus on the needs of low-income individuals and families across New York State.

Providing economic security for all New Yorkers is something the Governor has fought for over more than two decades in public service. He will speak about additional programs he is proposing to put the state on the path to economic recovery in January's State of the State address. "As 2009 winds down, we want to end this year and start the new one on a positive and hopeful note, as we in State government rededicate ourselves to serving the people of New York," Governor Paterson said.

NYSOFA advocates for the over 3.2 million New Yorkers who are 60 years of age and older, including at all levels of government and the private sector, with the cooperation of concerned organizations and older persons. In addition, NYSOFA administers federally-funded programs under the Older Americans Act and a variety of state-funded programs which serve the elderly. To find out about benefits and services available through the NYS Office for the Aging, visit our web site at: www.aging.ny.gov