Benefits Assistance
If you need help obtaining benefits, check out the resources below.
If you already have Medicaid, you may be eligible for Care Coordination through the Health Home Program. More information here.
Suffolk county DSS and Disability Accomodations
Read the public notice here:
A recent class action suit against the Suffolk County Department of Social Services (SC DSS) requires the DSS office to offer reasonable accommodation to all benefit applicants with a disability at every stage of the application process.
OTDA administers a range of programs for families and individuals in need. Click the link above to see which government benefit programs you may be eligible for.
Long Island Coalition for the Homeless
LICH has a staff member dedicated to helping people who are experiencing or at risk for homelessness in Nassau County obtain benefits.
Carrie Garcia
cgarcia@addressthehomeless.org
Call: 631-464-4314 ext. 135
The Public Benefits Unit provides legal assistance to persons who experience problems with public benefits programs which are administered by the local Departments of Social Services, including: Welfare (TANF and Safety Net); Medicaid; Food Stamps (SNAP); Child Care Assistance; HEAP; Emergency shelter for the homeless; and other emergency assistance programs.
Assistance to low-income households in establishing Supplemental Needs Trusts to eliminate the Medicaid spend-down and assist homeless families to obtain Rent Supplements from DSS which enable families to leave the shelters or retain permanent housing is also available.
Hempstead office: 516-292-8100
Islandia office: 631-232-2400
Riverhead office: 631-369-1112
LICIL provides advice and assistance to adults with disabilities applying for a variety of benefit programs. This advice is provided to individuals or groups through personal contact, telephone calls and workshops.
English: 516-796-0144
Español: 516-796-6176
This portal run by New York State is where you can apply for food assistance (SNAP), public assistance, and home heating assistance (HEAP).
Branches of Long Island
A staff member at Branches is available to help people apply for benefits and housing programs.
Andrea Tufano
Department of Labor:
If you have recently lost your job, you may qualify for unemployment. Apply through the New York State Department of Labor online using the link above.
Call: 1-888-209-8124
Money Geek guide to budgeting while unemployed
Health Homes Program:
Care Coordination
The goal of the Health Home program is to make sure its members get the care and services they need. This may mean fewer trips to the emergency room or less time spent in the hospitals, getting regular care and services from doctors and providers, finding a safe place to live, and finding a way to get to medical appointments. Medicaid recipients who have chronic health problems are eligible for comprehensive care coordination. Referrals are required for enrollment into the program.
Care coordination eligibility
In order to be eligible for Health Home services, the individual must be enrolled in Medicaid and must have:
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Two or more chronic conditions (e.g., Substance Use Disorder, Asthma, Diabetes*) or
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One single qualifying chronic condition: HIV/AIDS or
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Serious Mental Illness (SMI) (Adults) or
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Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED) or Complex Trauma (Children)
The organizations below participate in the Health Homes program on Long Island
