How to apply for Social Care Networks (SCN) — Food, Housing and Transport Help for Medicaid Members in New York

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.

What you'll need

• Your Medicaid information, to complete the statewide health-related social needs screening

Where to apply

Step by step

1. Gather your Medicaid information before you start — you will need it to complete the screening.
2. Go to the official screening site (the link is on this page) to access the statewide health-related social needs screening.
3. Answer all of the screening questions honestly. The questions cover food, housing, transport, and other social needs.
4. Submit your completed screening. Every New York Medicaid member can be screened, whether you are in a Managed Care plan or fee-for-service.
5. A Social Care Network navigator will review your results and connect you to federal, state, and local programs that match your needs.
6. If you are enrolled in Medicaid Managed Care and you meet the state's eligibility conditions — including having at least one unmet need on the assessment and meeting enhanced population criteria — your regional network will determine whether you qualify for Enhanced services such as medically tailored meals, nutritional counseling, food prescriptions, groceries, housing support, transport, or social care management. Note that service availability may vary by region.
7. Repeat the screening once a year, or sooner if you go through a major life change such as a move, a health crisis, or a change in household.

What to expect: After you submit the screening, your regional Social Care Network will review your answers and connect you to programs that can help with food, housing, and transport needs. If you are in a Medicaid Managed Care plan and you meet all of the state's Enhanced eligibility conditions, your network will work with you on those additional paid services — keep in mind that what is available can vary depending on which of the nine regional networks covers your area. Processing times vary, so ask your regional network for an estimate of next steps and timing. Because screening is intended to happen once a year, you will want to complete it again each year or after any major change in your life circumstances.

Renewals

screening is intended annually, or after a major self-reported life event