Social Determinants of Health Resources

• Family Welcome Centers– Family Welcome Centers (FWC) serve NYC families with enrollment and admissions to pre-K and elementary schools. FWC’s provide support with admission questions, guidance for students new to New York City public schools, enrollment, and information about offers and waitlists.

FWC Hours of Operation: Monday through Thursday, 8 am – 5 pm, and on Friday, 8 am – 3 pm.

To book an appointment, contact FWC location closest to you ahead of time. FWCs are available by email, phone, or in-person.

• Child Care Voucher– A family may qualify for childcare assistance if the family’s income falls below 300% of the Federal Poverty Level and have an approved reason for seeking childcare.

To apply, submit application form and necessary documentation through the mail.

• Food Help NYC – This application will help users locate community organizations that offer free food. Users can type an address to identify the nearest food pantries and soup kitchens.

• SNAP– The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) issues electronic benefits that can be used like cash to purchase food. SNAP helps low-income working people, senior citizens, the disabled and others feed their families.

To apply, create an ACCESS HRA account.

• Meals on Wheels/City Meals – Local organization that provides meals to people who are 60+, physically or mentally incapacitated, unable to prepare meals, and live at home.

To apply, locate your nearest case management agency through the website lookup tool and call.

• WIC– The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children serves to safeguard the health of low-income pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, infants, and children up to age 5 who are at nutritional risk by providing vouchers for nutritious food.

Find a local WIC Agency by calling 800.522.5006.

• NeON Kitchen – When people visit a NeON Nutrition Kitchen, they can expect a free, nutritious groceries and great service from their friendly staff. Hours of operation vary by location.

• HOMEBASE– Provides services to prevent eviction and homelessness, entitlement assistance, financial counseling, relocation assistance, and short-term financial assistance.

• One Shot Deal (OSD)– Is a one-time financial assistance for individuals facing homelessness, loss of employment, and other emergency circumstances.

To apply, create an ACCESS HRA account.

• CityFHEPS– CityFHEPS is a rental assistance supplement to help individuals and families find and keep housing. To be eligible for CityFHEPS, households must have a gross income at or below 200% and meet additional eligibility criteria.

• Reduced Fare Metro Cards– MTA offers a 50% reduced fare MetroCard for seniors or people with certain disabilities.

Apply online or by mail, learn more about How to apply for a Reduced-Fare MetroCard (mta.info).

• Access-A-Ride– MTA’s paratransit service for individuals who are proven to have needs that match ADA requirements.

To apply, call 877.337.2017 and request an application.

• Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (TA)– Provides temporary help for needy adults, and children. If someone is unable to work, cannot find a job, or their job does not pay enough, TA may be able to help you pay for your expenses.

To apply, contact your local department of social services.

• MetroPlusHealth Member Services – Member Services can assist preexisting members determine benefits, eligibility, and identify an in-network provider.

Phone: 855.809.4073, TTY users: 711, Monday through Saturday, 8 am – 8 pm.

Website: MetroPlusHealth Member Portal

• Literacy New York – Is a non-profit dedicated to improving the literacy of adult New Yorkers.

To identify a location near you, refer to their website.

• CUNY Adult Literacy/HSE/ESL Program – The City University of New York – CUNY offers courses such as English as a Second Language (ESOL), Basic Education (BE), and High School Equivalency GED Preparation (HSE/GED).

• Find Classes – The City University of New York (cuny.edu). Registration and availability vary depending on location. Potential students should identify the borough and campus closest to them and then call the program to learn more.

• Discover New York– Is a database dedicated to providing different types of support, including classes for reading, writing, GED, and English language classes for youth and adults at no cost.

Courses vary based on location and availability, use discoverDYCD search tool to identify opportunities near you.

• NYC Department for the Aging | Friendly Voices Client Interest Form  –  In partnership with the Mayor’s Office of Community Mental Health, the Department for the Aging runs two volunteer programs that are designed to build friendships and limit social isolation. Called Friendly Visiting and Friendly VOICES, both programs train and match volunteers with older adults to connect weekly.

• The Neighborhood Opportunity Network (NeON)–  NeON is a vehicle for networking, engaging clients in neighborhood settings and community engagement.

NeON Sports offers young people in New York City, including those on probation, the chance to explore sports through projects in a variety of disciplines, including swimming, basketball, tennis, horseback riding, gymnastics, aerobics and track and more.

• NYC | Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs – The mayor’s office of immigrant affairs supports and leads a range of programs that enhance the economic, civic, and social integration of immigrant New Yorkers.

• IRC | International Rescue Committee – IRC programs are designed to ensure refugees thrive in America—whether ensuring children are enrolled in school, adults become self-reliant through employment or starting businesses, or families receive acute medical care they need to recover from trauma or illness. The IRC helps those in need to rebuild their lives and regain control of their future in their new home community.

• HIAS – HIAS provides vital services to refugees and asylum seekers around the world and advocates for their fundamental rights so they can rebuild their lives.

• Programs | Refugee Services | OTDA (ny.gov) – Refugee Health Screening (RHS) is a program to provide initial medical screening and immunizations to newly arriving refugees and other eligible persons within 90 days of their date of arrival or date of immigration status granted.

• NYC Cares – NYC Cares provides a list of Community Based Organizations that are culturally specific. Review the full list on the website.

• New Americans  is a not-for-profit, statewide hotline providing other not-for-profit agencies with general immigration information and referrals in over 200 languages in response to immigration and citizenship-related questions.
• Phone: 1-800-566-7636

• NYLAG New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG) provides legal assistance to low-income individuals, including immigrants, seniors, the homebound, families facing foreclosure, renters facing eviction, low-income consumers, those in need of government assistance, children in need of special education, domestic violence victims, persons with disabilities, patients with chronic illness, low-wage workers, veterans, low-income members of the LGBTQ community, and Holocaust survivors.
• https://nylag.org/gethelp/ select the category you need assistance and complete the enrollment form (or phone call) to be assisted.

• They Mayors Office for People with Disabilities –  The Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) provides information on accessible programs, accessible transportation, employment, health services, activities, and other resources to New Yorkers with disabilities.
• Phone: 212-788-2830. The office is open Monday – Friday 9 am – 5 pm.

• Brooklyn Center for Independence of the Disabled (BCID) is a not-for-profit organization providing individuals that have disabilities with a variety of services and advocacy programs such as independent living skills training, medical condition support group, finance education, and public benefits application assistance.
• Phone: 718-998-3000

• Initiative for Women With Disabilities a not-for-profit health center providing women and adolescent girls who have disabilities with primary care, women’s health and reproductive services, and wellness programming.
• Phone:  212-598-6429
• Email: [email protected]

• ACCESS HRA–The Human Resources Administration (HRA) ACCESS HRA website and free mobile app allow you to get information, apply for benefit programs, and view case information online. You must create an ACCESS HRA account to apply for benefits and view case information that is securely connected to your HRA case.

• DiscoverDYCD (dycdconnect.nyc)– Is an online database dedicated to identifying resources for afterschool programs, housing support, jobs and internships, immigrant services, family support, and community services.

• 311 – A directory of all New York City services

Phone: 311

• The United Way Helpline – A directory of various local services throughout the state.

Phone: 211

• NYC WELL – Therapists are available to discuss mental health related problems such as coping with stress, depression, anxiety, or drug and alcohol abuse, you can contact NYC well. This service is available for 200+ languages 24/7.

Text: “Well” to 65173 (message & data rates may apply when using the SMS service)

Phone: 188-NYC-WELL (1.888.692.9355). For Relay Service for Deaf/Hard of Hearing: Call 711

Chat on NYC Well’s website

• The Hotline – The National Domestic Violence Hotline is available for those experience interpersonal or domestic abuse/violence.

Text: “Start” to 88788 (message & data rates may apply when using the SMS service)

Phone: 1.800.799.SAFE (7233). TTY:1.800.787.3224

Chat on The Hotline’s website

• The Salvation Army – The Salvation Army provides various social services to those in need. Complete the online form to get information related to food assistance, housing and shelter services.

• The New York Public Library (NYPL) – The NYPL offers numerous benefits including e-reading materials, access to different forms of print media, movie screenings/DVDs, events, exhibitions, and classes/resources.

Apply for a digital library card using their online application or apply in person at a local library branch.