For Bronx residents on Medicaid
Ask Mary anything about Medicaid Meals
Mary is the Medicaid Meals assistant. Ask her who may qualify for home-delivered or medically tailored meals, how to apply, what SOMOS and the Bronx Social Care Network do, or what happens after you sign up. She answers in your language, day or night.
Mary is an AI assistant. She explains the program; she does not decide who is eligible.
What Mary can help with
Who may qualify
The New York rules in plain words: Medicaid Managed Care, food need, the enhanced populations, and the conditions that count for medically tailored meals.
Read the full New York eligibility guideHow to apply
What the 5-minute form asks, who can fill it out for someone else, and what happens in the days after you send it.
Read the full New York eligibility guideSOMOS and the Social Care Network
Who SOMOS is, what the Bronx Social Care Network covers, and how a navigator moves you from screening to meals.
Read the full New York eligibility guideYour privacy
Why the form asks for a Medicaid ID, who can see your answers, and how to stop calls and texts.
Read the full New York eligibility guide
The SOMOS program in the Bronx
Medicaid Meals connects Bronx residents to the Bronx Social Care Network, which SOMOS Community Care leads for New York State. Here is the whole picture.
New York’s Medicaid 1115 waiver created nine regional Social Care Networks to pay for services that affect health but are not medical care: food, housing, transportation, and care management. For Bronx County, the State chose SOMOS Community Care, a nonprofit network of more than 2,500 community doctors and providers serving over a million Medicaid members across the city. The Bronx network has been live since January 1, 2025 and runs through March 31, 2027.
Any Medicaid member in the Bronx can be screened once a year for health-related social needs and pointed to local programs. Members in Medicaid Managed Care who meet the State’s criteria can also receive enhanced nutrition services paid for by Medicaid: medically tailored meals designed by a dietitian for a condition such as diabetes, heart or kidney disease; clinically appropriate home-delivered meals for members facing food insecurity; food boxes and produce prescriptions; pantry stocking for pregnant members and high-risk children; nutrition counseling; and cooking supplies.
Approved services are covered by Medicaid with no copay, usually for six months at a time with one renewal, or through pregnancy and 12 months after birth. Being on SNAP or WIC does not disqualify anyone. Medicaid Meals is an independent nonprofit resource and not part of SOMOS, any health plan, or the State; the network and your plan make every eligibility decision.
From your question to meals at your door
- You check whether you may qualify on this site, or ask Mary first.
- A Medicaid Meals navigator calls or texts you, explains your options, and asks for your consent.
- Your Social Care Network navigator completes the State’s screening and eligibility assessment with you.
- If approved, you choose a meal provider in the network and deliveries begin.
Common questions
Straight answers to what Bronx families ask most. Tap a question to open it.
Who qualifies for Medicaid meals in New York?
Generally you need Medicaid Managed Care coverage, an unmet need such as food insecurity identified through the state screening, and membership in one of New York’s enhanced populations. A Social Care Navigator confirms it during an assessment.
Is it really free?
Yes. Nutrition services approved under New York’s Medicaid waiver are covered by Medicaid, with no copay. Our eligibility help is free as well.
How do I check if I qualify?
Answer the questions on this site. We follow up by phone or text, usually within one business day, and, with your consent, connect you to your Social Care Network for the official screening.
What is a Social Care Network?
Social Care Networks are regional organizations created under New York’s Medicaid 1115 waiver. They coordinate food, housing, transportation, and care management services that local community-based organizations deliver.
Do I need my Medicaid ID number?
It helps. A New York Medicaid ID (CIN) is two letters, five numbers, and one letter, like AB12345C, printed on the front of your card. If you cannot find it, start anyway and we will help you track it down.
Are the meals designed for my condition?
Medically tailored meals are planned for conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and kidney disease and are approved by a dietitian nutritionist. You go over allergies and dietary needs with the provider during enrollment.
How long do the meals last?
They are time-limited. Most nutrition services are approved for up to six months at a time and can be renewed once for up to six more months if you still have the need; pregnant members can receive them through pregnancy and up to 12 months after birth. Your navigator tells you the length before meals start.
Can I apply for a family member?
Yes. A family member, caregiver, care manager, or provider can fill out the form on someone’s behalf — it asks who is filling it out.
Who chooses the provider?
You choose among the providers available through your Social Care Network. We present those options neutrally and receive no compensation tied to the volume or value of referrals.
What happens to my answers?
Your answers may be shared with health care providers, Medicaid health plans, and Social Care Networks to determine which services you qualify for. Participation is voluntary and you can withdraw at any time.
Already applied?
Enter the reference code from your confirmation text or email, plus your phone number, to see where your application is and what happens next.
Check your application statusMedicaid Meals enrolls Bronx residents only right now. California and Colorado are planned later.
Ready to see if you qualify?
It takes about 5 minutes, costs nothing, and a navigator follows up with you personally.
See if you qualify