AfghanEvac Explainer · New York
New York kept most of the health net. The gap is food.
New York is among the most protective states in the country, and it is moving people cut from federal Medicaid into state-funded coverage rather than dropping them. The clear exception is food, where there is no state replacement yet. Here is what New York protects, what it does not, and where Afghan families can get help. Read this alongside our national explainer at afghanevac.org/obbb.
What New York protects
On health, largely good news.
New York uses state funds to keep many immigrants covered when federal money stops. Watch your mail and messages for a coverage notice.
Moved to the Essential Plan, not dropped
New York is transitioning affected immigrants who lose federal Medicaid into the state’s $0-premium Essential Plan starting October 1, 2026. Officials say you will not experience a change in your benefits. Notices went out in early September, so watch your mail, texts, and messages.
Children and pregnant people
New York covers lawfully residing immigrant children and pregnant people with no five-year wait, and the state has confirmed there will be no change to their coverage.
State Medicaid and coverage at 65+
New York uses state-only funds to provide full Medicaid to many lawfully present immigrants who fail the federal test, and it covers adults 65 and older regardless of immigration status.
Where the gap is widest
Food has no state backstop yet.
On food, New York has not matched what it did on health.
No state SNAP replacement
New York does not yet have a state-funded food program to replace SNAP for immigrants cut by the federal law. A proposal is pending in the legislature but is not funded. For food, lean on food banks and the referral network.
Food banks and benefits screening
Food banks such as City Harvest and Food Bank For New York City serve everyone regardless of status. In New York City, ACCESS NYC screens you for every benefit you may still qualify for, and 2-1-1 covers the rest of the state.
What to do in New York
Watch your mail, then keep what you can.
New York is doing more of the work for you on health, but you still need to respond to notices and cover the food gap.
Watch for your coverage notice and call if unsure
If you have Medicaid and are affected, New York will move you to the Essential Plan around October 1, 2026. Read any notice, keep your address current, and call NY State of Health at 1-855-355-5777 if you are unsure where your coverage stands.
Keep coverage for children and pregnancy
These groups are protected in New York. Do not let coverage lapse, and answer any renewal notice by the deadline.
Cover the food gap with food banks and ACCESS NYC
Use City Harvest, Food Bank For New York City, or a local pantry, and screen for benefits at ACCESS NYC or through 2-1-1 upstate.
Make sure you were not cut off illegally
You must get written notice before coverage ends, and you have the right to a fair hearing. If your status still qualifies, or the notice looks wrong, challenge it and respond by every deadline.
Get to permanent status
A green card is what restores full federal eligibility. Use V-PRIC to see your pathway, and the organizations below to move your case.
Where to turn
New York organizations serving Afghan families.
These organizations offer resettlement, benefits navigation, and legal help across the state. Confirm current capacity before relying on any one office.
Statewide starting points
NY OTDA, Bureau of Refugee Services
518-402-3096 · otda.ny.gov/programs/bria
New York’s state refugee office. Cash and medical assistance, employment, and a regional provider directory.
NY State of Health
855-355-5777 · info.nystateofhealth.ny.gov/stay-covered
Official state help on the Medicaid-to-Essential-Plan transition and enrollment.
ACCESS NYC
New York City benefits screening and applications. Statewide, dial 2-1-1; in NYC, dial 311.
Resettlement and legal help
International Rescue Committee (New York)
212-210-6351 · rescue.org/united-states/new-york-ny
Legal, employment, health, and benefits enrollment; serves refugees, parolees, SIV holders, and asylees.
Catholic Charities Community Services (Archdiocese of NY)
888-744-7900 · cccsny.org/immigrant-refugee-services
Immigration legal services and refugee resettlement, with a New Americans Hotline at 800-566-7636.
International Institute of Buffalo
Resettlement, interpreting, legal, and education services in Western New York.
Journey’s End Refugee Services (Buffalo)
716-882-4963 · jersbuffalo.org
Resettlement and immigration legal services.
USCRI Albany
518-459-1790 · refugees.org/uscri-albany
Housing, cultural orientation, health, employment, and legal services; resettles Afghans.
InterFaith Works of Central New York (Syracuse)
315-449-3552 · interfaithworkscny.org/programs/cna
Resettlement, English, job readiness, immigration, and health services.
Verify before you rely. Confirm hours and capacity before traveling to any office. Afghan-serving legal teams often provide the most culturally grounded help.
Go deeper
The national picture, and your pathway.
This New York guide sits alongside our national explainer of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. For the full breakdown of what changed federally and how permanent status restores benefits, start there, and use V-PRIC to map your pathway.
This guide summarizes New York and federal policy for informational purposes and is not legal advice. It reflects the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (Public Law 119-21, enacted July 4, 2025) and New York program rules as of September 24, 2026, including the state’s planned Medicaid-to-Essential-Plan transition. Eligibility rules and programs change frequently and turn on your specific immigration category. Confirm your own situation with NY State of Health, a qualified immigration attorney, or a Department of Justice accredited representative. AfghanEvac is not a law firm and does not give legal advice.