New York City Launches HART Benefits Team: $3 Million to Help Residents Keep SNAP and Medicaid Coverage
NEW YORK — Mayor Zohran Mamdani of New York City, in New York State, has announced a new plan to help residents maintain food and health assistance coverage amid changes in federal requirements. The initiative deploys a Health and Affordability Resource Team (HART), backed by $3 million in city funding, to assist residents with applications, renewals and re-enrollments for SNAP food assistance and Medicaid coverage, and to provide guidance on housing assistance, eviction prevention and hospital bill relief.
According to the city, HART will prioritize New Yorkers who have already lost SNAP under federal work requirements and those who could lose Medicaid when new federal Medicaid work requirements take effect on January 1, 2027. Adults under 65 will generally need to demonstrate 80 hours a month of work, study or equivalent community service unless they qualify for an exemption, and the city estimates up to 900,000 residents could be at risk of losing health coverage. Residents can request help through the city's AccessHRA platform and phone channels. (GSM, based on the New York City Mayor's Office announcement)
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 纽约市政厅资料图。图片：Momos，CC BY-SA 3.0，经 Wikimedia Commons。 / New York City Hall, file photo. Photo: Momos, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
