Jamaica: three different doors for Medicare cost help, all within a few blocks

Downtown Jamaica is unusual: a Social Security office, HRA offices, and an NYC Aging HIICAP counseling site are all within a short ride of Parsons Boulevard and Archer Avenue. That is convenient, and it is also the source of the most common local confusion, because each door handles a different program. Extra Help is Social Security's. The Medicare Savings Programs and Medicaid are HRA's. HIICAP explains both and files neither. This page keeps them straight for people in Jamaica, South Jamaica, Jamaica Hills, and Briarwood.

Jamaica's ZIPs run 11432 (Jamaica Hills and the Estates side), 11433 and 11436 (South Jamaica), 11434 (toward Rochdale and Springfield Gardens), and 11435 (Briarwood and the Van Wyck side). All approximate; verify with USPS. The county is "Queens."

• HIICAP: 1-800-701-0501. Say "Queens." Free, confidential, and the counselor will not try to sell you anything.
• NY Connects: 1-800-342-9871 (Relay 7-1-1).
• In-person site in the neighborhood: India Home, 178-36 Wexford Terrace, 2nd floor, Room STU 2C, Jamaica, NY 11432, 917-288-7600, weekdays 9 to 5, by appointment. It is near the F at 169th Street and the Q3, Q43, and Q76 on Hillside Avenue. Book through NYC Aging Connect at 212-244-6469 (ask for HIICAP), and call before going; counselor days change.

The Medicare Savings Program application and any Medicaid question go to HRA. The HRA Medicaid Helpline is 1-888-692-6116, and HRA's Queens office locations, including the ones in Jamaica, are on nyc.gov/hra. Walking in without checking the current address and hours wastes a morning; call first.

1. Sort out which program you are asking about. If the goal is lower prescription costs, that is Extra Help (Social Security) and, for MSP applicants, it comes automatically. If the goal is to stop the Part B premium coming out of your check, that is QMB or QI (HRA). If you also need Medicaid for doctor visits and long-term care, that is full Medicaid (HRA).
2. Call HIICAP with your monthly income and your medication list. The counselor will tell you which applications fit and in what order.
3. For the Medicare Savings Programs, file DOH-4328 with HRA with copies of your Medicare card, ID, income proof, and a Jamaica address document. The state lists 2026 limits of $1,836 (one) and $2,489 (couple) a month for QMB and $2,474 and $3,355 for QI, with no resource test.
4. For Extra Help on its own, apply through Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or ssa.gov. In 2026 the federal limits are $23,940 a year in income for one person and $32,460 for a couple, with resource limits of $18,090 and $36,100 (medicare.gov).
5. Keep every notice. Approval letters from HRA and Social Security arrive separately and on different schedules.

• Taking the MSP application to the Social Security office on Jamaica Avenue. Social Security handles Extra Help and Medicare enrollment. The Medicare Savings Program application is HRA's, even though the two offices are close.
• Assuming that having Medicaid already means the Part B premium is handled. In many cases it is, but not always, and the deduction on the Social Security statement is the only proof. If it is still there, ask HRA.
• Showing up at India Home without an appointment. NYC Aging lists the site as by appointment. Call 917-288-7600 or Aging Connect first.

NYC Health + Hospitals / Queens on 164th Street in Jamaica Hills and Jamaica Hospital Medical Center near the Van Wyck are the two hospitals most residents know. They are landmarks here, not application offices.