Enrollment               

Do I Qualify? LINCS Coalition
Deputization Volunteer Professionals

LINCS (Linking Individuals in Need to Care and Services)

The Problem

Many limited-income New Yorkers have to make a choice between paying for prescription drugs and paying for things like heat, groceries, and rent. Many people do not know that they are eligible for the Extra Help benefit. Even once a person learns about Extra Help, he or she may need help getting an application and filling it out.

LINCS as a Solution

The LINCS program helps limited-income New Yorkers access a federal benefit called Extra Help. Extra Help can help qualified individuals pay for some or most of the costs of Medicare prescription drug coverage. Social Security estimates that Extra Help will save the average individual $2,800/year.

NY City LINCS Project

The City LINCS project operates two call centers that are staffed by trained volunteers who make and receive calls to clients. Each client is assigned a volunteer counselor that helps them through the entire application process. The volunteer initially screens the client for eligibility and proceeds to enroll all eligible clients in the Extra Help benefit using Social Security's online application. In addition to screening for Extra Help, the counselors also determine eligibility for Medicare Savings Programs, which can save eligible clients money on their Medicare premiums and co-insurance. Clients are also screened for eligibility for EPIC, New York state's patient assistant program. Counselors send the client a copy of the Extra Help application and a letter with information and instructions about what to do next. NY City LINCS is actively seeking out people who might be eligible for Extra Help. Many social service agencies across the five boroughs of NYC have partnered with NY City LINCS to distribute the hotline number in publications, posters, and flyers. Please contact us for more information if you would be interested in how your organization can work together with NY City LINCS.

NY State LINCS Project

Volunteer counselors with the State LINCS project work from home to counsel clients in New York State on Extra Help and Part D. These counselors are trained to assist clients with all of their Medicare Drug Benefit needs. Our counselors evaluate a client's eligibility for Extra Help and other programs that may reduce their health care costs. Additionally, they respond to any other questions the client may have and complete the Extra Help application on Social Security's website. LINCS counselors have access to the Medicare Rights Center's database of information about Medicare, so clients can benefit from receiving accurate information about their hospital, medical, and drug coverage. State LINCS is seeking people from across New York State who might be eligible for Extra Help. Numerous social service agencies and community organizations statewide have partnered with State LINCS to distribute the hotline number in publications, posters, and fliers. Please contact us for more information if you would be interested in how your organization can work together with State LINCS.

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