Browsing Category

New York

New York Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

What You Need To Know

The Women, Infants, and Children Program have been specially set up to cater to the nutritional needs of these categories. It is a special supplemental food program. This means that it aims to safeguard the health of those women, infants, and children who are at nutritional risk. The children must be below the age of 5. WIC provides various benefits to its qualified individuals. Amongst these, there is:

Nutritious food,
Breastfeeding support
Information on healthy eating
Referrals to health care.

All these services are provided to pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding women. Along with these, infants and children under 5 are also eligible. The information distributed by this program includes other health care data as well. It highlights where these people should apply for free or low-cost health care and other needed services. Administration of the New York WIC has been carried out by the New York Department of Health.

To avail the services of WIC, you will receive:

WIC food checks
A WIC Acceptable Foods booklet
A WIC ID Card
WIC Participant Rights and Responsibilities

If the caregiver is unable to bring their child to WIC appointments, they can authorize someone else to do so. However, it is important to make sure that the entrusted person is reliable.

Are You Eligible

The requirements for this program range from basic needs to more specific criteria. It has been listed below as:

You must be a resident of the state of New York
You must be pregnant, breastfeeding and/or postpartum woman; or
You must be an infant or child below the age of five.
You must be at nutrition risk according to the knowledge of a health professional.

The program has been set up for mainly those people whose financial situation disables them from receiving such services. Therefore, the annual household income, before any tax deductions, is expected to be less than or equal to the following:

Size Of The Household	Maximum Annual Income Level ($)
1	23,107
2	31,284
3	39,461
4	47,638
5	55,815
6	63,992
7	72,169
8	80,346

In certain cases, the household has more than eight people. An additional amount of $8,177 must be added per person if this is the situation. It is vital to keep in contact with the managing area of your county. This will prove helpful as it will keep you updated about the guidelines and their accuracy.

A WIC pre-screening tool is available to check the eligibility of a person. It can be used to find out the potential of the person in qualifying for the program. It is not the final application and should not be treated as one.

How To Apply

An eligible individual can start his or her application process through the help of the closest WIC office. An appointment can be set up with them that help the person to gain guidance and assistance concerning it. This would allow the person to go through the procedure more easily. It would also lead to the chance of acceptance.

There are certain documents required to complete your application. These must be taken by the person when they visit their local agency. Amongst these documents, there must be proof of:

Income for everyone in the household
Your identity
Your place of residence
How you are one of the people served by the WIC.

There are other additional health forms also required which must be present with you. This will also lead to the quickening of the process. Once the forms and documents have been reviewed, the WIC staff will conduct a health screening. This would be required from all the family members that wish to be a part of WIC. The short health screening will include:

Finger stick blood test
Height and weight
A discussion of your health and nutrition concerns.

Such information will also help the WIC staff to choose the most suitable packages for you and your children. In case a mother chooses not to breastfeed, the WIC will even provide the appropriate formulas from their approved list. If you or anyone in your family has special nutritional needs, they’ll be recorded through a WIC Medical Documentation Form.

For Further Information?

The New York Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children has a website. This online page can be referred to in case of any confusion a person may have. The NY WIC has also set up a hotline to cater to the needs of people. The Growing Up Healthy Hotline will assist you in locating the nearest WIC agency as well.

1-800-522-5006

Food Stamps, New York,

New York State Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

by welfareservice1 month agono comment

What You Need To Know

The food stamp program is labeled as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in New York. Its objective is to provide people with appropriate nutritional education. It has been administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). This helps to safeguard their health as well. The benefits of the program are availed with the help of an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card. This card is similar to a debit card or credit card. This makes the process easier and simpler in many ways. An EBT account is set up for qualified individuals. The monthly benefits allow the person to purchase the approved goods from an authorized retail food store.

SNAP benefits allow the household to mainly purchase the following goods. However, it is not limited to them:

Bread and cereals
Seeds and plants that can help to grow food for the household
Dairy Products
Fruits and vegetables
Meats, fish, and poultry

On the other hand, SNAP benefits cannot be used by the household to purchase:

Beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes or tobacco
Hot foods
foods that will be eaten in the store
Non-food items that include pet foods, soaps, and other household supplies or vitamins and medicines.

Are You Eligible?

There are certain program requirements of the SNAP Program. To qualify for it, you must, first and foremost, be a resident of the state of New York. Other bases for qualification include factors like

Household size
Income
Assets
Any other relevant information.

The household income and size are both considered together. This is because the annual income of the household must either be less than or equal to the following amounts. It is important to remember that the earning before any tax deductions is considered by the authorities.

Size of The Household	Maximum Annual Income Level ($)
1	16,237
2	21,983
3	27,729
4	33,475
5	39,221
6	44,967
7	50,713
8	56,459

Certain households have more than eight residents. For these households, an extra amount of $5,746 is added per person. It is important to keep in touch with the managing agency in your area. they will be able to provide you with the appropriate guidance required concerning this program. This contact would also ensure that the person follows the most accurate guidelines present.

It must be kept in mind that income is not the only determinant in ensuring qualification. Other factors are taken into account to decide the allocation of the SNAP budget. Therefore, if an individual believes that they are eligible for the program, they must apply. However, no surety is given at any step.

Moreover, to make the process easier for people, a pre-screening tool has been set up online. This tool helps to determine the eligibility of the person. It is not the final application but simply a way to check the potential of qualifying.

How To Apply

You can apply for the New York State SNAP through two methods. They have been set up to cater to a large number of audiences. This way, people can go ahead with the option that suits them the best.

The first method is through an online portal. Internet is easily available to all which makes it easy for people to access the information. They can visit the appropriate site where the application can be found. This method allows you to fill the application from the comfort of your home. Once the form is completed, it is reviewed by the SNAP office. They are the ones who set up and conduct interviews in order to determine the eligibility of the household.

The program has also made it possible for people to apply through mail, fax or in person. They can simply mail or fax the application to the local Department of Social Services or SNAP office. If it is possible for you, you can visit in person to submit your application as well. The benefits program allows for a great number of people to apply for it. This is because they cater to the diverse people of the state by releasing forms in English, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Haitian-Creole, Korean and Russian.

The nearest SNAP office can be found through the help of the internet. You can easily contact or approach it as you see fit.

For Further Information

To clear out any confusion, SNAP has set up a website which can be visited. It has outlined the frequently asked questions and their answers. Information can also be acquired through the USDA SNAP hotline number. They will cater to any queries or issues that a person may have.

1-800-221-5689

Healthcare, New York,

New York Child Health Plus (CHIP)

by welfareservice1 month agono comment

What You Need To Know

A health insurance plan has been set up for children in New York. It is known as the Child Health Plus. It provides health coverage to the children belonging to low-income families. Child Health Plus is divided into two categories:

Child Health Plus A
Child Health Plus B

The former was known as Children’s Medicaid but now similar services are available under the new name. Both categories have proven helpful in safeguarding the healthcare of a large number of people. Providers present throughout the state make sure that healthcare services are available to A and B. Enrollment into this benefit program is a simple matter, undertaken by people without any major issues.

Administration of New York Child Health Plus has been carried out by CMS. They are more commonly known as Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. There are 18 Child Health Program that families can choose from. This is also dependent upon the county where the individual resides. The services that are covered by this benefit program include:

Well-child care
Immunizations
Treatment for illness or injury
Hospitalization
Radiation therapy
Mental health services
Substance abuse services
Emergency care
Prescriptions
Dental and vision care

However, the program does have certain limitations. The scarcity of resources of the program means that it works with a limited amount of funds. Therefore, it aims to make sure that these funds are properly allocated. It eliminates costs associated with some services by excluding them from the program. Amongst these, there is:

Experimental procedures or drugs.
Prescriptions:
Drugs bought without them
For drugs that treat erectile dysfunction
For drugs that may cause death, suicide, or mercy killing.
Private duty nursing or home health care
Cosmetic, plastic, or reconstructive surgery
Infertility services
Transportation
Comfort items such as Cervical pillows or back massager with heat.
Orthodontia Services
Any other services that are not medically necessary.

Are You Eligible?

The program requirements include a basic criterion that must be present as well as more specific details. These requirements can be listed as:

A resident of the state of New York
Under the age of 19; or a primary caregiver to a child under 19; or pregnant.
Uninsured in terms of healthcare which includes Medicaid
S. national, citizen, legal alien, or permanent resident.

The annual household income is also considered for qualification. This is because Child Health Plus is set up for those who have low or very low income. Therefore, the annual earnings before any tax deductions must be less than or equal to the following figures:

Size Of Household	Maximum Annual Income Level ($)
1	49,960
2	67,640
3	85,320
4	103,000
5	120,680
6	138,360
7	156,040
8	173,720

The size of the household may be greater than eight. In such instances, add $17,680 extra per person. It is advised that you check with the managing agency in your area. Keeping in touch will allow you to stay up-to-date with accurate guidelines.

Your income level determines the health coverage you receive. Therefore, it is possible that some families may have to pay a premium for the coverage. This is done in order to make sure that a high number of families are catered to. The most deserving of them received the full coverage whilst the rest are helped to the greatest extent possible.

How To Apply?

An eligible individual can apply for this program by approaching the local community organization. They will provide them with the necessary forms as well as any guidance that helps to eliminate their confusions.

Enrollers are also present in various communities to help provide assistance with the application. They make the process simpler and collect the appropriate documents required. Their responsibility includes the selection of health plan choice as well. With their help, one can select the plan that best suits their needs. Assistance is usually available during the evening or on weekends. The enrollment is this program is open year-round. Therefore, one can apply for it whenever it seems suitable.

For Further Information?

Information regarding the benefits program can be found on the online website. This makes it easier for a larger number of people to gain access to it. Similarly, the following toll-free number has also been set up where you can pose any questions you may have.

1-800-698-4543

Child Health Plus has also made sure to include people with disabilities in this program. To make it more possible for them to apply with ease, a toll-free number specifically for them has been set up:

1-877-898-5849

Healthcare, New York,

New York Medicaid

by welfareservice1 month agono comment

What You Need To Know

Medicaid has been established with the aim to cater to the medical needs of people in states. It is especially for those people who are unable to provide for their healthcare. Medicaid is designed to pay for the appropriate services required by the person. This includes a variety of treatments but still has its limitations. It is dependent upon various factors such as

Age
Financial circumstance
Family situation
Transfer of resource requirements
Living arrangements.

Medicaid tries to provide all its qualified members with fully funded services. However, due to limited resources, some services require co-payment. This means that a portion of the bill is undertaken by Medicaid whilst the rest is paid by the patient. The administration of this benefit program has been carried out by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Medicaid provides its services through the help of a Medicaid card or a managed care plan. You have to be enrolled in the latter.

Are You Eligible?

The New York Medicaid program has a certain list of requirements. The basic aspects that need to be fulfilled include:

A resident of the state of New York
Someone in need of health coverage
Someone with low or very low income
A U.S. national, citizen, or legal alien.

These are a requirement for most of the benefits program. However, the other more specific criteria outline that the person must

Be over 64 years of age, or
Be pregnant or a parent of a child under 18, or
Be blind or disabled, or
Be related to someone who is blind or disabled. The relative can be a child, parent or spouse.

To ensure that the financial situation of the applicant is low enough to qualify for Medicaid, the income is considered. The annual household income is taken into account before any tax deductions take place. The income amount is compared to see whether it is less than or equal to the listed amounts.

Size Of Household	Maximum Annual Income Level ($)
1	16,612
2	22,491
3	28,369
4	34,248
5	40,127
6	46,005
7	51,884
8	57,762

If a household has more than eight residents, then an additional amount of $5,878 should be added per person. It is advised to stay in touch with the managing agency of the area. This would help you to remain up-to-date with the latest and more accurate guidelines.

How to Apply

To start the application process, different methods can be used. An eligible person can choose to call the consumer service number for information related to it. This would also allow the person to gain guidance concerning the form. Moreover, they can also approach the local department of social services. With the help of the internet, they can find the nearest agency and choose to go through the procedure in person. Furthermore, the internet can be used for the whole application process. This would help the people to easily access all information from the comfort of their home. The application can be found on the website of the New York State of Health.

There are certain documents required in case one wishes to apply for Medicaid. The documents are dependent on the two kinds of categories that take place in this program. These two are labeled as Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) guidelines and non-MAGI guidelines. The MAGI Group includes the following eligible people:

Pregnant women
Children in Foster Care
Parents or Caretaker Relatives
Infants and children under 19
Family planning benefit program
Childless adults who are:
Not pregnant
Aged between 19 and 64
Not on Medicare
Certified Disabled

On the other hand, Non-MAGI Group includes:

Individuals aged 65 or above
Individuals who are blind or disabled who do not meet the MAGI group criteria.
COBRA
Medicare Savings Program – MSP
AIDS Health Insurance Program – AHIP
Medicaid Buy-In for Working People with Disabilities
Medicaid Cancer Treatment Program
Residents of Adult Home run by LDSS, OMH Residential Care Centers.

New York Medicaid has made sure to provide the groups with necessary application accessibility options. This makes it more possible for them to acquire and complete it on time. The presence of the form in different languages also helps to cater to a larger audience.

The waiting period between application submission and acceptance or denial is 45 days. In case of pregnancy or children, the period decreases to 30 days instead. However, if the applicant has a disability, this time duration can increase up to 90 days. This is done in order to properly determine the eligibility.

For Further Information

Queries and confusions of the interested individuals can be addressed on the New York Medicaid website. It would allow them to get more in-depth information about the benefits program.