A nationwide class action lawsuit filed by NYLAG, Justice in Aging, and Arnold & Porter alleged that pandemic-related administrative errors and shutdowns with the Social Security Administration led to a combination of benefit reductions, benefit terminations, and benefit overpayments, adversely affecting SSI beneficiaries.From March 2020 to April 2022, with Social Security’s field offices closed, many older [...]

Regular HEAP BenefitHEAP officially opened November 1, 2023. HEAP provides a grant to low-income households to help pay for energy expenses. HEAP eligible households receive either a direct payment to their heating/utility vendor or a one-time cash benefit. The benefit amount depends on whether the household pays for heat directly (and if so, the type of [...]

The Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage Program (EPIC) provides cost-sharing assistance to individuals with Medicare Part D coverage.  EPIC can assist with cost-sharing for individuals with annual incomes up to $75,000 and married couples with annual incomes up to $100,000. With the recent increase s to the Medicare Savings Program (MSP) income limits to 186% FPL, more New [...]

Medicare Part D UpdatesThe following are significant changes to Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage in 2024:·        Partial Extra Help (Low Income Subsidy Program, LIS) Eliminated in 2024: All individuals with Partial Extra Help will be transitioned to Full Extra Help effective January 1, 2024.  Full Extra Help offers more comprehensive cost-sharing assistance, allowing someone to [...]