Does New York Medicaid pay for food?
In some cases, yes. Under New York's 1115 Medicaid Waiver, certain members can receive meals or grocery boxes at home as a health benefit. It is arranged through a Social Care Network rather than billed like a doctor's visit, and there is no cost to the member. MBD Care is a contracted provider in Brooklyn and Queens. Whether it applies to you depends on your coverage and your health needs. The simplest way to find out is to leave us your details and we will call you back.
Who can get Medicaid food delivery?
You may qualify if you have active New York Medicaid, live in one of the boroughs we serve, have a health need that food can help with, and meet the programme's criteria through a screening and eligibility assessment. Having Medicaid on its own is not enough. If you are unsure whether this describes you, leave us your details and we will talk it through on the phone.
Which health conditions qualify?
Commonly diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, pregnancy, and children at nutritional risk. That is not a complete list, and eligibility is not decided by diagnosis alone.
What are medically tailored meals?
Prepared meals planned around a member's health needs and delivered ready to eat. What that looks like in practice depends on the condition and on what the assessment identifies.
What is a food prescription box?
Fresh produce, grains and pantry staples delivered for you to cook at home. It suits households that would rather cook than receive prepared meals.
Is food the only thing covered?
No. The same programme also covers cooking supplies such as pots, pans and basic kitchen equipment; appliances where a household is missing something essential, such as a refrigerator to store fresh food or a microwave to reheat meals; transportation to medical and social care appointments; and housing support, meaning help finding stable housing and help keeping it. Each of these has its own criteria, so qualifying for food does not automatically mean qualifying for the rest — it is worked out during the assessment. There is no separate application, though. If you are already working with us, ask.
Does Medicaid cover halal meals?
Through this benefit, yes — we arrange halal meals as a standard option, not a special request. Meat comes from certified halal suppliers, zabiha where required. No pork or pork derivatives are used anywhere on the kitchen line, no alcohol is used in cooking including sauces and marinades, and preparation surfaces and utensils are kept separate to prevent cross-contact.
Does Medicaid cover kosher meals?
Yes, on the same basis. Meals come from kitchens under recognised rabbinical supervision, meat and dairy are kept fully separate, and food arrives in sealed containers so packaging stays intact until you open it. Pareve options are available where a household keeps stricter separation.
Can pregnant women get this benefit?
Pregnancy is one of the health needs that commonly qualifies. Leave us your details and we will go through your situation on the phone.
Can children get this benefit?
Children at nutritional risk can be eligible. Where a whole household needs food support, we set the household up together rather than opening a case for one person.
Which areas do you deliver to?
Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Manhattan. We are not able to deliver outside those boroughs.
Is this a food pantry?
No. This is a Medicaid benefit delivered through the Social Care Network under the New York 1115 Waiver. There is no application fee, and using it does not affect your other benefits.
Will this affect my food stamps or other benefits?
No. This is a health benefit that comes through your Medicaid coverage, so it is separate from SNAP, WIC and cash assistance. It does not replace them, count against them, or reduce what you receive. There is no application fee and nothing to pay. If you have a specific question about your own SNAP case, your SNAP office can confirm it for you.
What is involved in getting started?
It starts with a phone conversation. After that there is a screening and an eligibility assessment, covering your coverage, your health needs, and what would work for your household. We arrange it and handle the paperwork.
Do you speak my language?
We work in English, Russian, Ukrainian, Uzbek and Hebrew. Tell us on the form which language you prefer and we will have someone who speaks it call you.
How do I start?
Leave us your name, contact details and ZIP code on our short form and we will call you back. The form does not decide anything — everything is worked out in the phone conversation that follows. You can also email info@mbd.care, or call 718-737-2252 if you would rather reach us directly. There is nothing to pay and no separate application.