ACCESS NYC

Find help in NYC with food, money, housing, work and more on ACCESS NYC. There are over 30 programs you or your family may be eligible for regardless of immigration status and even if you’re already receiving benefits or have a job.

Benefit Development Resource Guide

The Benefit Development Resource Guide (Resource Guide) is designed to assist employees who are responsible for developing the benefits and entitlements necessary to fund services for individuals served by OPWDD and voluntary provider agencies. It is not intended to be read from cover to cover, though those new to the topics discussed may wish to do so. The Resource Guide is primarily intended to be used as a reference during the process of assisting individuals in developing the benefits necessary to fund their care.

This guide provides detailed information about conducting eligibility investigations, protecting assets, and applying for Medicaid, the OPWDD Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Waiver, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security benefits (SSDI), Medicare, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP – formerly called Food Stamps). The manual consists of this introduction and the following sections:

• Benefit Development
• Liability for Services
• Medicaid
• Home and Community Based Services Waiver
• Supplemental Security Income
• Social Security Benefits 
• Work Incentives 
• Medicare
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
• Resource Management
• Additional Resources

Developmental Disability State Operations Offices (DDSOOs)

Developmental Disabilities State Operations Offices (DDSOOs) administer and oversee state operations for the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD), including the direct delivery of services and supports to people with developmental disabilities by state staff.  By focusing on local supports and services, statewide quality and consistency, and enhanced networking to promote best practices, DDSOOs are able to provide a consistent approach and culture, so that individuals and their families can expect continuous quality improvement in all services delivered directly by OPWDD across the state.

DDSOOs are responsible for the following activities:

• development and monitoring of OPWDD systems improvement (e.g., continuous quality improvement processes, plans of corrective action (POCAs), informed consent and Behavior Management Committees);
• offering specialized supports/services and service delivery in the areas of clinical and food services, waiver services and volunteers/senior companions;
• acting in the capacity of advocate when responding to stakeholder questions and legislative inquiries;
• oversight of support services (e.g., Medicaid compliance, HIPAA compliance and clinical records review);
• oversight of the Statewide Technical Assistance Team, which provides pre-survey and focused technical assistance activities to campus-based ICFs and other state-operated community-based residential programs in which quality improvement issues have been identified; and ensures ongoing compliance with federal requirements and  that program certification is maintained;
• management, on the local level, a variety of OPWDD statewide electronic billing and recordkeeping systems
• oversight of the day-to-day administration of State-operated Family Care; and
• oversight and coordination of fire safety initiatives, including development of evacuation plans in state-operated programs, and establishing and maintaining working relationships with local fire departments.

Eligibility for services is determined by the Developmental Disabilities Regional Offices (DDROs). Please contact the Eligibility Coordinator of the Regional Office representing the county in which the individual/family lives.

Lastly, DDSOOs act in a supporting role to DD Regional Offices in the areas of service development, local management of individual and community supports and crisis intervention.

View DDSOOs using our MSNavigator Mapping Tool. 

FDA Medication Guides

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) medication guides are paper handouts that come with many prescription medicines. The guides address issues that are specific to particular drugs and drug classes, and they contain FDA-approved information that can help patients avoid serious adverse events. 

This website contains links to all the FDA medication guides.

Medicaid Health Homes

A "Health Home" is not a physical place; it is a group of health care and service providers working together to make sure you get the care and services you need to stay healthy. Once you are enrolled in a Health Home, you will have a care manager that works with you to develop a care plan. A care plan maps out the services you need, to put you on the road to better health. Some of the services may include:

• Connecting to health care providers,
• Connecting to mental health and substance abuse providers,
• Connecting to needed medications,
• Help with housing,
• Social services (such as food, benefits, and transportation) or,
• Other community programs that can support and assist you.

Schenectady County B-HOME Interactive Resource Locator

The B-HOME interactive resource tools have been created to help Schenectady area residents find resources located in and around the Capital District. The resources are organized and maintained by the Schenectady County Center for Juvenile Justice. The purpose is to give Schenectady area residents one location where they can locate main different services and agencies within Schenectady County and nearby areas. There are four options to explore:

• Online Resources - Online resources and hotlines are used for resources that do not have a physical location such as yearly community-wide events, online communities, and hotlines.
• Interactive Resource Map - The map utilizes technology to provide information about resources based on location. Categories of resource information on the map include Physical and Mental Health; Victim Services; Education, Child Care, and Youth Services; Housing, Food, and Clothing; Community Resources; Disability and Senior Services; Employment; Government; Legal and Financial Assistance; and Veterans.
• Events - Featured upcoming events in Schenectady County and around the Capital Region are displayed on the event calendar. To add events to the calendar, contact the Youth and Family Engagement Coordinator. 

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

This web page provides a comprehensive list of eligible food items covered by SNAP benefits.

Trapped

Kevin, 24, lives with his parents. His short term memory, anxiety and anger are a result of diabetes-induced seizures as an infant. He now copes with his setbacks by eating foods that do not trigger outbursts.

Women, Infants, Children Program (WIC)

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) offers nutrition education, breastfeeding support, referrals and a variety of nutritious foods to low-income pregnant, breastfeeding or postpartum women, infants and children up to age five to promote and support good health.

View WIC Sites using our MS Navigator Mapping Tool.