Beyond Food

WSCAH’s Benefits Access Team

WSCAH created its Benefits Access Team to provide customers with a comprehensive suite of benefits to aid them on their paths to self-sufficiency. Benefits include referrals to access shelter, substance abuse treatment, mental health services, financial counseling and tax preparation, educational programs, immigration legal assistance, and sign-ups for health insurance, SNAP, SCRIE, and DRIE.

Every new WSCAH customer goes through a detailed intake to assess their eligibility for benefits. To ensure all of WSCAH’s customers continued to be thoroughly screened for eligibility for life-stabilizing benefits and services during the pandemic, WSCAH’s benefits access provision transitioned from in-person to virtual engagement. All WSCAH customers across the 5 boroughs of NYC can now safely access needed benefits and services from the comfort of their homes.

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In the financial year 2022 (July 2021 – June 2022), WSCAH has connected our customers to 4,553 benefits, including health insurance, SNAP (Food Stamps), and unemployment relief.

In total, our Benefits Access Specialists have secured access to nearly $5M in cash benefits and provided indirect support to countless others through training and partnership support and information sharing in the most COVID-affected communities.

Financial Relief

If you work, you can apply for the Earned Income Tax Credit. We can help you with Public Assistance, HASA, Social Security benefits, rent increases, and exemption programs.

Health Care

If you are not insured, we can help you enroll in a health plan, find a doctor, and obtain prescription drugs. We can also help you find an affordable clinic to receive the medical services you may need.

Food & Nutrition

You may be eligible for SNAP (Food Stamps), Women Infants and Children (WIC), Free or Reduced School Meals. We can also help you find senior meals, food pantries, and soup kitchens in your community.

Education & Job Training

West Side Campaign Against Hunger can refer you to many programs: English as a Second Language Classes, child care, resources for special needs, job training, and resume assistance.

Housing & Homelessness

West Side Campaign Against Hunger can refer you to housing services, and provide information on supportive housing, legal advocacy, and other options.