Senior Living Apartments in Rochester, NY

The majority of seniors will find themselves using their own personal resources to pay for senior apartments, as these communities are similar to any other apartment community — just with an age restriction to become a resident. That may mean using your own income or savings; retirement savings; Social Security benefits; income generated by investments; the sale of a home, apartment, condo, or townhome; distributions from a retirement account; or a combination of these personal funds. Some seniors also receive financial assistance from family members.

Related articles on different types of personal funds can be found here:

In Rochester, veterans may be eligible for a few different benefits to assist in paying for senior apartments. One, in particular, is the VASH voucher. The Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing program provides vouchers to veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. The vouchers can be used to pay for rent in a private senior apartment complex.

If a veteran requires assistance with their daily activities because of service-related or non-service-related disabilities, they may also be eligible for Aid and Assistance (A&A) benefits.^[01] This tax-free monetary benefit can go toward paying for care in a senior apartment or anything that makes the senior citizen’s life easier.

It’s important to note that eligibility for any one of these benefits will depend on a variety of factors, including discharge status, and income. To find out if a veteran is eligible, contact the local Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) office. Better yet, get in touch with the Monroe County Veteran Service Officers, who can help veterans and their families navigate the Department of Veterans Affairs.^[03] Their services are free of charge and can help veterans avoid the pitfalls and delays of missing paperwork, improperly-filled-out claim forms, and so on.

Medicaid benefits cannot be used to cover any cost associated with rent on a senior apartment in Rochester. If, however, a senior requires medically necessary in-home care services and also lives in a senior apartment complex, Medicaid waivers may cover these services through their Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) program.

Seniors can apply for Medicaid in a number of different ways, but a good starting point would be to review the online resources made available by the New York Department of Health.^[04] Here, seniors and their families can find comprehensive information on eligibility, the application process, and other details. Medicaid information can also be found directly on the NY State of Health’s Official Health Plan Marketplace website.

Another resource for seniors and their families would be the Monroe County Aging Office. It serves as a referral contact center for older adults, where people can learn more about senior resources, services, and opportunities in their community. Call 585-753-6280 to speak with an aging specialist between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. The local ombudsman is also a good resource for information and assistance with the process.

Much like Medicaid, Medicare doesn’t cover the rent for senior apartments. However, the benefit can be used for other healthcare-related expenses. Medicare is a health insurance program administered by the federal government that is available to individuals who are 65 years or older, as well as to some younger individuals who have disabilities. If seniors or their families want additional details, visit the official Medicare website or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). Information can also be found at the local Social Security office.

HIICAP in New York State is a network of Health Insurance Information, Counseling, and Assistance Programs that operate across the state. These programs are located at Area Agencies on Aging or their subcontractor non-profit agencies. HIICAP is the state health insurance assistance program (SHIP) and receives federal aid from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the State of New York. HIICAP’s purpose is to provide the public with accurate, objective, and free information, counseling, assistance, and advocacy on Medicare, private health insurance, and other health coverage plans. HIICAP is designed to help people with Medicare, their representatives, and those about to become eligible for Medicare.

The Medicare Savings Program (MSP) is designed to aid individuals with low income by covering their Medicare premiums. The MSP may also help with additional expenses related to cost-sharing, depending on the individual’s income level. Enrolling in an MSP makes you eligible for Extra Help, a federal program that covers most of the expenses of Medicare prescription drug (Part D) plans.

The New York State Department of Health created the Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC) to assist income-eligible seniors 65 and above cover their out-of-pocket costs for Medicare Part D drug plans. Over 325,000 seniors benefit from this program. Eligible seniors can apply for EPIC at any point in the year. Still, they must be enrolled or be eligible for a Medicare Part D drug plan to receive the program’s benefits and maintain their coverage.

Below, you can find local programs and offices that can assist you in understanding your entitlements. In addition, a local ombudsman can offer advice regarding any of the programs mentioned above.

Many senior housing facilities have been constructed with financial assistance from the Section 202 program of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Low-income seniors may be eligible for rental assistance for their senior apartments. Certain restrictions do apply. Contact the Monroe County Office for the Aging to determine eligibility; see contact information below.

The Emergency Assistance for Adults (EAA) program offers low-interest or forgivable loans to seniors 65 years of age or older who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) should they face an emergency which requires emergency funds for unexpected home repairs, notices of utility shut-offs, and other emergency situations. Contact the Monroe County Office for the Aging for assistance; see contact information below.

SSI provides a basic or additional income to supplement Social Security, pension, or earnings. Individuals who are 65 years or older, or those who are disabled or blind regardless of age, and whose income and resources are below the specified threshold, may be eligible for this benefit. Those who are entitled to SSI benefits are also automatically eligible for full Medicaid coverage.