The Sullivan County Office for the Aging told the Planning and Community Resources Committee that Medicare open enrollment runs Oct. 15–Dec. 7 and encouraged residents to use free HICAP counseling and county intake packets to schedule one-on-one assistance.

The agency said the intake process is first-come, first-served and that 29 intake forms had already been received. “This year is gonna be very challenging. Premiums and deductibles are increasing regardless of the plan chosen,” the Office for the Aging representative said, stressing that Medicare Advantage plans have changed and may include fewer "perks." The presenter urged county residents to consult HICAP counselors to avoid confusion.

The nut graf: Office for the Aging combined client assistance, volunteer services and program updates with a resolution asking the committee to authorize a contract modification so the Rural Law Center of New York can continue providing legal services for seniors. Committee members voted on the resolution during the meeting.

Most important facts first: the office scheduled a public hearing and senior resource fair for Wednesday, Oct. 15, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. at the new airport terminal to inform residents about services and collect public feedback for annual updates. The office also outlined how residents can request printed Medicare counseling intake packets by calling 807-0241 and that appointments are processed by the date the intake form is received.

Program details discussed included: 1,561 volunteer hours in August valued at $60,067 (per independentsector.org); 3,179 meals delivered in August; 144 HEAP early-outreach applications received since Sept. 15; an official HEAP start date listed as Nov. 3 (noted as potentially subject to change); and changes to HEAP benefits, including that funding for furnace "clean and tune" services and for furnace replacement is no longer available.

Program caseloads and waitlists cited: the Expanded In-Home Services for the Elderly Program (ISEC) had 28 active cases across two case managers and a wait list of 20, largely attributed to staffing and budget constraints. In-home care hours reported were 745.75 hours in August via contracted home agencies. The Youth Bureau reported 73 contracted programs for 2025 with combined county and state funding of $461,268.

Transportation and delivery stats from the county transportation provider were given: through August the system provided 96,223 fixed-route rides and 5,531 paratransit rides; other monthly counts included veteran medical rides, senior medical rides, shopping rides and congregate-site trips. The office also asked residents to complete a transportation survey (QR codes were distributed) to inform a final plan.

On legal services, the Office for the Aging presented a resolution "to enter into the contract with Rural Law Center of New York for legal services for seniors for a two-year period with an option to extend up to three more years in an amount not to exceed $20,000." The committee moved and seconded the resolution (mover: Louie Alvarez; second: Kat/Catherine Scott). The recorded vote was given as "Aye. 4 ZIP." The committee chair called for the motion and the chair declared the result.

Ending: Staff invited committee members and the public to the Oct. 15 resource fair, encouraged residents needing printed survey or intake materials to call 807-0388 (transportation survey contact) or 807-0241 (Office for the Aging), and closed with no further questions from the committee.