Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the city Department of Health launched the Health and Affordability Resource Team (HART) on Oct. 19 to help residents respond to changes in federal Medicaid and SNAP rules. The city estimates that up to 900,000 people could lose coverage when federal Medicaid work and paperwork requirements take effect in January 2027.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the New York City Department of Health announced on Oct. 19 the launch of the Health and Affordability Resource Team (HART), a counseling team that helps residents at risk of losing benefits because of federal changes to Medicaid and SNAP (food stamps). The team handles health insurance enrollment and retention, food and cash assistance, housing assistance and eviction prevention, medical bill relief, and connections to cost-of-living support.
The city expects that up to 900,000 New Yorkers could lose coverage when new federal Medicaid work and documentation requirements take effect on Jan. 1, 2027. For SNAP, the federal government expanded work requirements on March 1 for able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs), meaning thousands of people who were previously exempt must now meet the requirements to keep their benefits.
HART is run by trained community health workers, with help from community organizations and volunteers. Staff members speak a combined total of 13 languages, and many have personal experience using these programs. The city is giving priority to residents who have already lost SNAP benefits. The program is funded with $3 million from the city's budget for the current fiscal year (FY2027).
The Department of Health said it has reached out to more than 35,000 health care providers and more than 60,000 community and faith-based organizations, and has held more than 50 training sessions and briefings, including monthly webinars. More than 300 people attended the first webinar. The department is also hiring additional enrollment counselors.
Erin Dalton, commissioner of the city Department of Social Services (DSS), said outreach efforts so far have helped hundreds of thousands of people keep their SNAP benefits. The Department of Health set a goal of helping nearly 1 million residents at risk of losing coverage keep their health insurance through HART.