Senior and Veteran Resources
Offices for the Aging, NY Connects, HEAP, senior rides, county veterans agencies and the Rome VA clinic.
Last reviewed: October 10, 2026
Older adults, veterans and their families have local offices that can help with benefits, meals, rides and care. This guide lists the main contacts in Oneida and Herkimer counties, each with its official source.
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Offices for the Aging and NY Connects
Oneida County Office for Aging and Continuing Care / NY Connects
Information, referral and NY Connects help with long-term services such as housekeeping, personal care, emergency response units, social adult day care and consumer-directed care. Statewide NY Connects: 1-800-342-9871.
Herkimer County Office for the Aging / NY Connects
Plans and delivers services for residents 60 and older, including NY Connects.
NY State Office for the Aging — Herkimer County listing
Heating help (HEAP)
Oneida County HEAP
Apply in person at 800 Park Ave, Utica or 100 W. Dominick St, Rome, or through myBenefits, mail or fax. Older adults can get outreach help from the Office for the Aging (315-798-5456).
Herkimer County HEAP
Regular HEAP 2026–27: November 2, 2026 to April 16, 2027. Emergency HEAP: January 4 to April 16, 2027. Cooling assistance: April 15 to June 4, 2027. People 60+ call the Office for the Aging at 315-867-1195; under 60 call DSS at 315-867-1220.
Rides for older adults
Herkimer County senior transportation
Door-to-door rides within Herkimer County for people 60+, by reservation (call a week or more ahead). Wheelchair-accessible vans. Suggested contributions $2–$8 round trip. No trips to Utica or Cooperstown.
Centro Call-A-Bus (paratransit, Oneida County)
Paratransit within 3/4 mile of Centro routes in Utica and Rome. Call for ride requests, confirmations and cancellations. Fare $2 in Utica or Rome.
Birnie Bus public transit
Public bus routes serving Herkimer County communities; see the operator's site for current schedules.
Veterans' medical rides (DAV vans)
The VA works with Disabled American Veterans and county veterans directors to provide rides to scheduled VA appointments.
County veterans service agencies
Oneida County Veterans' Service Agency
Free help with VA claims for compensation, pension, education, burial, health care and more. Fridays by appointment.
Herkimer County Veterans' Service Agency
Claims help and advocacy for veterans and their dependents. Note: the NYS DVS directory lists 109 Mary St, Suite 1103, Herkimer; the county page lists Ilion. Call to confirm.
State and federal veterans offices
NYS Department of Veterans' Services — Utica
Donald J. Mitchell VA Outpatient Clinic (Rome)
Primary care, mental health, PTSD care, women's health, audiology and other services. Part of VA Syracuse Health Care.