According to data from the New York state government, one in five, or around 21%, of people aged 65 years and older in New York live below the poverty level. While the severity of poverty among other sections of the population has decreased since 2010, senior poverty has continued to rise.

High poverty levels reduce seniors’ ability to meet their basic needs, including paying for food, housing and transport. Low-income seniors are also unable to meet the costs of their increasing health needs,...