New York · Resources
The numbers you actually need — New York.
Phone numbers, agencies, free legal help, forms, and the statutes our topic guides cite. The page to bookmark when you don’t want to dig.
If you need help right now
State Medicaid agency
The office that determines eligibility and runs the program
NY State Department of Health — Medicaid
Statewide Medicaid Helpline. Apply through Local Departments of Social Services (LDSS) or, in NYC, through HRA.
Aging services — your entry point
Single number that routes to your local Area Agency on Aging
NY Connects (NY State Office for the Aging)
No-wrong-door statewide portal for long-term services and supports. Routes to the 59 county-based AAAs.
Adult Protective Services
If you suspect abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation, call this number
Free Medicare counseling (SHIP)
Federally-funded, unbiased — not selling you a plan
HIICAP — Health Insurance Information, Counseling and Assistance Program
NY's federally-funded SHIP program. Free, unbiased Medicare counseling through county HIICAP offices.
Finding a lawyer
Bar referral first, legal aid if income-qualified
NY State Bar Lawyer Referral and Information Service
Legal Aid Society
NYC's largest legal aid organization. Civil and elder-law services.
Empire Justice Center
Statewide civil legal advocacy with strong Medicaid expertise.
New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG)
Free civil legal services across NYC and Long Island.
Nonprofits worth knowing
State chapters and organizations focused on aging in this state
Alzheimer's Association — NY chapters
AARP New York
Medicare Rights Center
National nonprofit headquartered in NYC. Free Medicare counseling and advocacy.
Other hotlines
Numbers worth saving in your phone
- 1-800-633-4227
Medicare (federal)
- 1-800-342-9871
NY State Aging — 1-800-342-9871
- 211
NY 2-1-1
Forms & templates
Official New York document references
NY Statutory Short Form Power of Attorney (2021)
Revised under GOL §5-1501 et seq., effective June 13, 2021. Two witnesses + notary required.
NY Health Care Proxy
Statutory form under PHL §2980. Two witnesses required.
NY MOLST (Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment)
For seriously ill patients. Physician-signed under PHL §2977.
NY Living Will
Recognized via case law (Eichner/O'Connor); model forms widely available.
Key statutes we cite
New York laws referenced across our topic guides
| Citation | Subject |
|---|---|
| GOL §5-1501 et seq. | NY Power of Attorney (revised 2021) |
| PHL §2980 et seq. | Health Care Proxy |
| PHL §2977 | MOLST |
| PHL Article 29-CC | Family Health Care Decisions Act |
| SSL §366 | Medicaid Eligibility (including spousal refusal §366(3)(a)) |
| SSL §366(5)(e) | 30-Month Community Look-Back (authorized 2020) |
| Tax Law §952(c) | NY Estate Tax + 5% Cliff |
| SCPA | Surrogate's Court Procedure Act |
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