NYS SCN Food Assistance Eligibility Quick-Reference Guide (Children & Families)

To qualify a child (under 18) or a pregnant/postpartum individual for Level 2 SCN physical food benefits (Medically Tailored Meals, Grocery Delivery, Fruit/Veggie Vouchers), they must meet all four criteria below simultaneously.

1. Insurance Verification (Mandatory)

The child or parent must be enrolled in an active, state-sponsored Medicaid Managed Care option.

• Eligible Plans: Standard Medicaid Managed Care (MMC), Health and Recovery Plans (HARP), or HIV Special Needs Plans (SNPs).

• Note: Individuals with "Straight Medicaid" (Fee-for-Service) only qualify for basic navigation, not physical food delivery.

2. Health-Related Social Need (HRSN) Validation

• The family/household must screen Positive for Food Insecurity on Questions 4 and 5 of the official NYS 12-Question Accountable Health Communities (AHC) Screening Tool.

3. Priority "Enhanced Population" Pathways (Select At Least One)

When filling out the SCN referral portal, check the box for any of these qualifying categories that apply to the child or family:

• Age-Based Eligibility: Any child or adolescent under the age of 18 automatically falls into a state-designated priority population.

• Perinatal Status: Individuals who are currently pregnant or up to 12 months postpartum.

• Child Welfare / Justice System: Children currently in foster care, transitioning out of foster care, or involved with the juvenile justice system.

• High Medicaid Utilization: 3+ emergency department visits OR 2+ inpatient hospital stays within the past 12 months (common for severe pediatric asthma, complex medical needs).

• Housing Instability: Families experiencing homelessness, staying in family shelters, doubled-up with relatives due to financial hardship, or facing eviction.

4. Clinical Conditions (Mandatory for Medically Tailored Meals)

To justify home-delivered prepared meals or specialized nutritional pantry boxes, document at least one active diagnosis or nutritional vulnerability:

• Pediatric Diabetes (Type 1 or Type 2)

• Severe Obesity or Failure to Thrive (FTT)

• High-Risk Pregnancy (e.g., gestational diabetes, preeclampsia)

• Severe Food Allergies requiring elimination diets

• Severe Developmental Disabilities affecting feeding/nutrition