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Where to start · 4 min read

Who to call: the official numbers and sites, in one place

The county Office for the Aging numbers for Western New York, the state lines for Medicare, Medicaid, and complaints, and the helplines that answer at any hour. Bookmark this one.

Written and reviewed by Cardinal Care Advisors, Buffalo, New York. Published September 15, 2026, updated September 16, 2026.

Start with NY Connects

NY Connects is the state's front door for long-term care: free, unbiased information and help applying, answered locally by county. One statewide number reaches your county's office: 1-800-342-9871. Or call the county office directly.

Your county Office for the Aging

Each county runs an Office for the Aging: caregiver support and respite, home-delivered meals, help with Medicare and Medicaid questions, transportation, legal help, and the NY Connects line. Numbers checked against the official pages on September 16, 2026; if one has changed, tell your advisor and we will fix it.

  • Erie: Erie County Department for the Aging, (716) 858-8526 (also the NY Connects line). 95 Franklin Street, 13th Floor, Buffalo.
  • Niagara: Niagara County Office for the Aging, (716) 438-4020. 111 Main Street, Suite 101, Lockport. The county's own contact page also lists (716) 438-3030.
  • Chautauqua: Office for the Aging, (716) 753-4471; NY Connects helpline (716) 753-4582. 7 North Erie Street, Mayville, with offices in Jamestown, (716) 661-8940, and Dunkirk, (716) 363-3865.
  • Cattaraugus: Department of Aging, (716) 373-8032, or 1-800-462-2901 from outside the Olean and Salamanca areas. 1 Leo Moss Drive, Suite 7610, Olean.
  • Allegany: Office for the Aging, (585) 268-9390. 6085 Route 19 North, Belmont.
  • Genesee: Office for the Aging, (585) 343-1611. 2 Bank Street, Batavia.
  • Orleans: Office for the Aging, (585) 589-3191. 14016 Route 31 West, Albion.
  • Wyoming: Office for Aging, (585) 786-8833. 8 Perry Avenue, Warsaw.

New York State lines for specific questions

  • Medicare, Medigap, and drug plan questions: HIICAP, the state's free insurance counseling, 1-800-701-0501. Trained counselors sit in the county offices above.
  • Medicaid questions and applications: New York State Medicaid Helpline, (800) 541-2831.
  • A problem inside a nursing home or adult care facility: Long Term Care Ombudsman, 1-855-582-6769. Free, confidential advocates for residents.
  • Worried an older adult is being neglected, abused, or financially exploited: Adult Protective Services, 1-844-697-3505, weekdays and evenings. In immediate danger, 911.
  • Veterans and surviving spouses: New York State Department of Veterans' Services, 1-888-838-7697, for an appointment with a benefits advisor, including Aid and Attendance.
  • New York State Office for the Aging: programs, caregiver support, and the full list of county offices.
  • NYS Health Profiles: license and inspection records for every facility.

Federal

  • Medicare Care Compare: ratings for nursing homes and home health agencies.
  • Eldercare Locator: 1-800-677-1116, connects you to local aging services anywhere in the country.
  • VA Aid and Attendance: pension benefit for wartime veterans and surviving spouses.

Any hour

  • Alzheimer's Association Helpline, 1-800-272-3900, staffed around the clock.
  • Dial 211 for local help with food, housing, utilities, and transportation.
  • In an emergency, 911. CarePair is not an emergency service.

Cardinal

Your advisor is in Messages during business hours. For anything about CarePair itself, hello@thecardinalgroup.org.

Official sources

Read next

General information for families in Western New York, written by Cardinal Care Advisors. Not medical or legal advice; a physician, an elder law attorney, or a licensed assessor decides the things that need deciding. Tell us if something here is wrong or out of date: hello@thecardinalgroup.org.