NYC Launches HART to Help Residents Keep Medicaid and SNAP Benefits
New York City launched a new outreach initiative on October 19 to help residents understand changes affecting Medicaid and food assistance. Called the Health and Affordability Resource Team (HART), it uses trained community health workers to connect people with enrollment assistance and other support. The city says as many as 900,000 New Yorkers could be at risk of losing Medicaid coverage under federal changes expected to begin January 1, 2027. That is an estimate of people at risk, not the number who have already lost benefits.
Health and Affordability Resource Team.
Funding allocated in New York City’s FY 2027 budget.
NYC Health Department enrollment counselor number listed by the city.
What is HART?
HART is a city outreach program that aims to connect residents with assistance to enroll in or maintain health coverage, understand food benefits, explore housing support and find help with hospital bills. According to the October 19 announcement, community health workers are trained on Medicaid and SNAP policy changes as well as how to work with people facing multiple barriers to service.
The initiative is backed by a $3 million city investment in FY 2027. The city says workers on the team speak 13 languages, and community organizations and volunteers are expected to support outreach. HART is an assistance service, not a separate health insurance plan.
Why the city is starting the program now
Federal policy changes include new Medicaid work and documentation requirements expected to begin January 1, 2027. The Mayor’s Office estimates that up to 900,000 city residents may be at risk of losing Medicaid coverage as these changes take effect.
People should not interpret that estimate as an automatic cancellation notice or assume that every enrollee faces identical requirements. Eligibility and reporting obligations vary. Anyone who receives an official renewal, information request or adverse-action notice should review its specific instructions and deadlines.
How SNAP is connected
The city says expanded federal SNAP work requirements already took effect in March 2026 for some adults, with consequences for people who had previously been exempt. HART is designed to help connect people facing food and health-coverage problems to appropriate enrollment or support services.
SNAP and Medicaid are different programs with different administrative rules. Contact an official enrollment counselor or the agency administering your case rather than assuming that a single application automatically updates both programs.
How to get help
New Yorkers who have lost coverage, have questions about remaining eligible or anticipate an upcoming renewal can call 347-655-0124, the NYC Health Department enrollment counselor number published in the announcement. The city also directs residents to nyc.gov/medicaidhelp.
Have any recent notice, household information and relevant application or renewal details available when speaking with a counselor. Do not give personal identification numbers or banking information to an unsolicited caller claiming to represent HART; use published city contact channels instead.
What the team can connect residents with
Beyond Medicaid enrollment support, the announced outreach model includes food assistance, cash benefits, housing and eviction-prevention resources, and possible relief with hospital bills. A referral does not guarantee that someone meets the eligibility rules or will receive a payment.
HART is intended to reach people in neighborhoods considered at higher risk of losing coverage, but the October 19 announcement does not include a complete public schedule of outreach-worker visits or a neighborhood-by-neighborhood service directory. Residents should verify the available support through official city channels.
What to do before 2027
- Read all official Medicaid and SNAP notices promptly and follow the deadlines printed on them.
- Keep your address and contact information current with the relevant administering agency.
- Ask an official enrollment counselor which new requirements apply to your particular situation.
- Save copies of forms submitted and confirmation numbers for follow-up.
- Use nyc.gov/medicaidhelp or 347-655-0124 for the city’s published coverage assistance route.
- Check official information for updates; the precise effect of federal rules can depend on implementation and individual circumstances.