Divine Rising NYC

NYC Benefits Finder

NYC offers a wide range of programs for families — including WIC, Medicaid, SNAP, childcare, Pre-K, housing, and disability services. Use this guide to understand what's available and where to apply.

Health & Food

  • WIC — Free healthy food, formula, breastfeeding support for pregnant people, new moms, and children under 5 · Income-based · Apply: health.ny.gov/wic or call 311
  • Medicaid — Free or low-cost health insurance for children and families with low income · Apply: benefits.nyc.gov or call 311
  • Child Health Plus — Low-cost health insurance for children under 19 whose family income is too high for Medicaid · Apply: health.ny.gov/child-health-plus · 1-855-355-5777
  • NYC Care — Low-cost or no-cost health services for NYC residents who don't qualify for or can't afford health insurance · 1-646-NYC-CARE (692-2273)
  • SNAP — Monthly food benefits loaded onto an EBT card · Apply: access.nyc.gov or at your local HRA office

Early Childhood & Education

  • Early Intervention (EI) — Free therapies for children under 3 with developmental delays · No income limit · Call: (212) 676-2500 or 311
  • CPSE — Free special education for children ages 3–5 · No income limit
  • IEP / CSE Services — Free special education for school-age children · No income limit
  • Pre-K for All — Free full-day pre-K for all NYC 4-year-olds · No income limit · Apply: myschools.nyc
  • 3-K for All — Free full-day school for all NYC 3-year-olds · No income limit · Apply: myschools.nyc
  • Head Start / Early Head Start — Free preschool and family support for low-income children ages 0–5 · Find a program: eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov
  • ACS Child Care Subsidy — Subsidized childcare for working families with children under 13 · Apply: nyc.gov/acs or call 1-888-692-0116
  • Summer Rising — Free summer program for NYC public school students K–8 · Register through your child's school each spring

Family Support

  • Nurse-Family Partnership — Free home visits from a registered nurse for first-time moms with low income · Call: (347) 396-7960
  • Cash Assistance — Monthly cash support for families with low income · Apply at HRA or nyc.gov/hra
  • Emergency Rental Assistance — For families at risk of homelessness · Call 311 or HRA Infoline: 718-557-1399
  • ACS Preventive Services — Voluntary support services to keep families together · Self-refer: 212-676-7667

Disability Benefits

  • SSI for Children — Monthly income for children with disabilities in low-income families · Apply: 1-800-772-1213 or ssa.gov/ssi
  • OPWDD — Lifelong developmental disability services · Call the Front Door: 1-866-946-9733

Where to Get Help Applying

  • Benefits.nyc.gov — NYC's official benefits portal to apply for multiple programs at once
  • 311 — Call or text 311 to be connected to any NYC benefit program
  • Public Health Solutions — Free benefits navigation · healthsolutions.org
  • HRA Benefits Access Centers — In-person help for SNAP, Medicaid, and cash assistance · All 5 boroughs · Find a location: nyc.gov/hra/locations