Benefits · Supportive Services
How to apply for Social Care Networks (SCN) — Food, Housing and Transport Help for Medicaid Members
New York State Department of Health — nine regional Social Care Networks
Who it's for
If you have New York Medicaid, a Social Care Network can connect you to free help with food, housing and transport. Every Medicaid member can be screened for these needs — the state intends for everyone to be screened once a year, or after a big change in your life — and anyone can be pointed to existing federal, state and local programmes. If you are in a Medicaid Managed Care plan and you qualify, you can also get Enhanced services paid for directly: nutrition help such as nutritional counselling, medically tailored meals, food prescriptions and groceries; housing support; transport; and social care management. Answer the screening questions at screening.shinny.org to get started. Nine regional networks cover the whole state.
Screening and navigation are open to every Medicaid member, including fee-for-service. The Enhanced services that are actually PAID FOR are narrower: DOH lists four conditions — you must show one or more unmet need on the state's Accountable Health Communities assessment, be enrolled in Medicaid Managed Care (not fee-for-service), meet one of the enhanced population criteria, and for some services meet extra clinical criteria or social risk factors. DOH also warns that "service availability may vary by region". Your regional network decides.
What you'll need
- Your Medicaid information, to complete the statewide health-related social needs screening
Where to apply
Apply online: official application
Renewals
screening is intended annually, or after a major self-reported life event
Not sure if you qualify? Run a free check first.
Find my benefitsNot legal or financial advice. The agency makes the final eligibility decision.