Resources for Seniors

Seniors and those with pre-existing conditions are especially susceptible to COVID-19.  Here are some tips to help you stay healthy:

• Wear a face covering in public.
• Practice social distancing and avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

 For more information on how to prevent the spread of COVID-19, click the link HERE.

Store Hours for Seniors:
Certain stores are currently offering special shopping hours for seniors and other at-risk populations. Before shopping, you should contact local stores to see if they offer special, senior-only shopping hours.  

Federal Resources for Seniors:
Given the current public health crisis, some federal agencies have made several changes to their services that may impact seniors in our community.

Social Security Administration

• The Social Security Administration has suspended face-to-face services in their field offices and hearing offices nationwide.  However, seniors can still conduct most business with SSA online, by phone or through the mail. Please contact your local social security office about where to direct letters.
• The SSA is currently extending deadlines to provide documentation and other information wherever possible.  Hearings will be conducted by phone during the office closures.
• Benefits will still be delivered by mail or through direct deposit. 

For more information on changes to the SSA and answers to frequently asked questions, visit the SSA website HERE.

Medicare

New York seniors have paid into Medicare and I am committed to ensuring they have full access to its benefits and resources during this crisis. Below is some information available to Medicare recipients during this COVID-19 pandemic.

• Medicare covers most testing and treatments related to the Coronavirus. 
• Medicare has also temporarily expanded its coverage of telehealth services.  For more information on telehealth services, click the link here.

For more information on Medicare services available during the coronavirus outbreak, click the link HERE.

Protecting Yourself Against Cyber Scams:
As we have seen, cyber scammers are using the Coronavirus pandemic as an opportunity to launch cyber scams. For best practices to avoid falling victim to a scam related to the Coronavirus, follow the tips below:

• Do not click on links contained in unsolicited emails.
• Avoid revealing personal or financial information in emails and do not respond to email solicitations for this information.
• Rely on trusted sources for information related to the Coronavirus.
• Avoid making charitable donations before verifying the charity’s authenticity.

For more information on avoiding scams, click HERE to see best practices from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

SSA is warning the public about fraudulent letters threatening suspension of Social Security benefits due to COVID-19-related office closures. The SSA will not suspend or discontinue benefits because their offices are closed to the public for in-person service.