Announcements


Regular HEAP Benefit

The 2023-2024 Regular HEAP benefit opens on November 1, 2023.

If you are eligible, you may receive one regular HEAP benefit per program year to help you pay for heating your home.

Eligibility and benefits are based on:

  • income,
  • household size,
  • the primary heating source.

Regular benefits for households that pay directly for heat based on actual usage are paid directly to the vendor that supplies the household's primary source of heat.

Your household may be eligible for a Regular benefit if:

  • A member of your household is a United States Citizen or Qualified Non-Citizen
  • Your household's gross monthly income is at or below the current income guides for your household size as posted in the table below or
  • You receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or
  • You receive Temporary Assistance (TA) or
  • You receive Code A Supplemental Security Income (SSI Living Alone)

Click here for the English HEAP Application

Click here for the Spanish HEAP Application


HEATING EQUIPMENT REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT

If you are a homeowner and eligible, the Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement benefit can help you repair or replace your furnace, boiler and other direct heating equipment necessary to keep your home’s primary heating source working.

Benefit amounts are based on the actual cost incurred to repair or replace your furnace, boiler, and/or other essential heating equipment, $3,000 for a repair and $6,500 for a replacement.

You may call your local DSS office to apply. The in-person interview and application requirement is temporarily suspended. Your local district contact will decide if you meet all the eligibility conditions, including the income and resource requirements. The district will provide more information on how to submit the application and required documentation.


HEAP CLEAN AND TUNE BENEFIT

Eligible households can receive energy efficiency services, which includes the cleaning of primary heating equipment, but may also include chimney cleaning, minor repairs, installation of carbon monoxide detectors or programmable thermostats, if needed, to allow for the safe, proper and efficient operation of the heating equipment.

You may be eligible for a benefit if:

  • You are the homeowner
  • Your household’s gross monthly income is at or below the current income guidelines for your household size
  • Your primary heating equipment is more than 12 months old
  • Your primary heating equipment or chimney has not been cleaned within the last 12 months
  • You do not have a service contract with your vendor that includes clean and tune services

Your household eligibility requirements include filing an application with your local department of social services, providing all necessary documentation, and the household must reside in an eligible living situation. Household already approved for the Regular HEAP benefit may call the Office for Aging – HEAP Unit to apply by phone for the Clean & Tune benefit.

For information on this program or to apply, please call our HEAP department at 631-853-8326.

Welcome from County Executive Ed Romaine

The Suffolk County Office for the Aging is the designated Area Agency on Aging under the Older Americans Act. For almost 50 years, Suffolk County Office for the Aging has administered federal, state and county programs for persons 60 years of age and older.

Specific goals for the Office are to develop a comprehensive service system designed to assist persons 60 years of age and older in maintaining maximum independence and dignity, to remove barriers to economic and personal independence, and to provide a continuum of care for the vulnerable elderly. Most importantly, Suffolk County Office for the Aging acts as advocate on behalf of all Suffolk County senior citizens.


2024 SENIOR CITIZEN OF THE YEAR AWARD

The Suffolk County Office for the Aging and the Senior Citizen Advisory Board are now accepting nominations for the 2024 SENIOR CITIZEN OF THE YEAR AWARD. This award will recognize a senior citizen who has enhanced the lives of older residents in Suffolk County. The nominee’s contribution may be as an advocate, role model, leader or volunteer. Candidates must be 60 years of age or older and a resident of Suffolk County. Nominations must be received no later than Friday, February 23, 2024.

2024 Senior of the Year Nomination letter

2024 Nomination Form



Get Set Up

Get Set Up is an online community based platform. It is a place for older adults to learn, connect, and share with peers in the comfort of their own homes.

Classes are taught by other older adults who are professionals in their fields. There are 300 plus topics offered. Class topics include social and mental health and other topical interests. With 40+ classes each weekday and 10+ classes each weekend, there is always something available to meet your interests and schedule.

The Suffolk County Office for the Aging is working in conjunction with New York State Office for the Aging to offer virtual programming through Get Set Up at no cost to you. Get Set Up is great for older adults who have a basic level of computer literacy. All you need to participate is a personal computer or tablet that has internet access.

For more information, use the link below:

NYSOFA Launches 300+ Live Online Classes For Isolated Older New Yorkers | Office for the Aging

Get Set Up



ACL Updates

Fraud Alert: Scam Calls Targeting Older Adults

Recent increase in reports of government imposter scam calls, including some claiming to be from Eldercare Locator.

ACL’s Eldercare Locator and Disability Information & Access Line (DIAL) are trusted resources that help connect older adults and people with disabilities with resources in their community. In recent days, Eldercare Locator has noted a significant increase in people reporting they have been targeted by scam phone calls. This includes reports of:

  • Callers claiming to be from “Eldercare,” “Eldercare Locator,” “Social Security,” or “Medicare.”
  • Callers asking for personal information such as someone's Social Security number, banking information, or Medicare number — or demanding payment, threatening jail time, or fines.
  • Harassment, including repeat calls from the same number.

We hope you will help us get the word out about government imposter scams. Here are some important reminders to share:

  1. The government will never call out of the blue and ask for a Social Security number.
  2. The government will never ask for payment by gift card or wire transfer.
  3. Social Security numbers cannot be suspended.

These general tips can also help everyone protect themselves:

  • If you are ever suspicious about a call, hang up immediately. Find the organization’s contact information on your own (don’t use caller ID), and call or email them directly to discuss the situation.
  • Never give out your Social Security number, banking information, or Medicare number to anyone who contacts you through unsolicited calls, texts, or emails.
  • Never pay someone you do not know well via gift card or wire transfer.
  • Never click on an email link or attachment, unless you fully trust the sender.
  • Sign up for the National Do Not Call Registry.

Older adults who are targeted by scams and fraud can call the Department of Justice’s National Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-FRAUD-11 (833-372-8311).

In addition, scams and fraud targeting people of any age can be reported to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) by calling 877-FTC-HELP (877-382-4357) or visiting reportfraud.ftc.gov.

There are many great resources available to help raise awareness about avoiding scams:

Connecting with Eldercare Locator and DIAL

The Eldercare Locator is a nationwide service connecting older adults and their caregivers with trustworthy local support resources. Whether help is needed with services such as meals, home care, or transportation, or a caregiver needs training and education or a well-deserved break from caregiving responsibilities, the Eldercare Locator is there to point that person in the right direction. Call the Eldercare Locator at 800-677-1116.

DIAL helps people with disabilities access COVID-19 vaccinations and tests. DIAL also provides information about essential services such as transportation, housing support, disability rights, and more. Call DIAL at 888-677-1199.


Caregiver Corner

T Care Screen

Do you provide unpaid care to a family member, friend, or neighbor who has an illness, disability, memory loss, injury, or special need? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you are a caregiver! Are you feeling overwhelmed, constantly worried, tired, sad, easily irritated, and/or extremely stressed? You are not alone and there is support available. If you would like to learn more about resources, tools, and supports available for caregivers, please answer the following questions to get connected to the right starting place.

  1. Are you over the age of 18 and caring for an older adult (age 60+)?
  2. Are you over the age of 18 caring for an individual (any age) with Alzheimer’s disease or a related disorder (e.g., dementia, traumatic brain injury, mild cognitive impairment, chronic traumatic encephalopathy)?
  3. Are you over the age of 55 and living with and caring for a child (not biological) under the age of 18?
  4. Are you over the age of 55 and living with and caring for an adult (can be a biological child) aged 18-59 with a disability?

If you answered yes to any of the questions above, you are eligible for the National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP). If you would like to learn more about how this program can assist you, please take this short screen for an initial assessment of your wellbeing, and a Program Specialist will reach out to discuss the results. The evidence-based screener asks you to reflect on your experiences and respond to a series of statements based on identified rating scales in each section. This screener is used to help you and the Program Specialist better understand your situation and define an individualized plan to meet your unique caregiving needs.

TCARE Screen Link

If you answered no to all the questions above, or you are not interested in taking the evidence-based screen, there is still help available to you through the Any Care Counts - New York (ACC-NY) Campaign which recognizes and supports the millions of unpaid caregivers across the state! Through ACC-NY you can discover your caregiver intensity score by taking the ARCHANGELS Caregiver Intensity Index (CII). It takes just 2 minutes to complete. You will find out whether you are “in the red," "yellow" or "green," and be connected to trusted resources.

If you need additional resources, please contact Office of the Aging at 631-853-8200.

Do you prefer to search resources on your own? Visit the NY Connects Resource Directory. NY Connects links individuals of all ages and their caregivers to long term services and supports and provides one stop access to free, objective, comprehensive information and assistance.