HIV and sexual health services available to New Yorkers, regardless of immigration status
The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC Health Department)’s Sexual Health Clinics offer low- to no-cost services for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV. Anyone who is 12 years or older can receive walk-in services, regardless of immigration status. No parental consent is necessary. The clinics’ patient navigators and social workers can help patients, including undocumented patients, connect to longer-term care and apply for health insurance or other benefit programs. For more information on the Sexual Health Clinics, including services, locations, and hours of operation, visit nyc.gov/health/clinics. For telemedicine services, call the Sexual Health Clinic Hotline at 347-396-7959, Monday through Friday, 9am to 3:30pm.
To locate a free or low-cost HIV testing site near you, visit the NYC Health Map and select “Sexual Health Services” and then “HIV Testing”; text “TESTNYC” to 877-877; or call 311. To request a free HIV self-test kit through the Community Home Test Giveaway (CHTG), visit the NYC Health Map, select “Sexual Health Services” and then “HIV Testing,” and filter results by selecting “Free Self Tests.”
To locate an STI testing site or a PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), emergency PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis), or HIV treatment provider near you, visit the NYC Health Map and select “Sexual Health Services” and then the type of service you are seeking.
The NYC Health Department’s PlaySure Network 2.0 is a citywide network of health care and supportive service agencies delivering a comprehensive health package of HIV prevention services using an equity-focused, client-centered one-stop shop model. Services include HIV testing, PrEP, emergency PEP, and immediate HIV treatment and HIV primary care; STI testing and treatment; outreach and navigation services; and mental health services, substance use services, and other supportive services. PlaySure Network 2.0 providers offer services to all New Yorkers, regardless of immigration status. A list of PlaySure Network 2.0 providers is available here.
The NYC Health Department funds providers citywide to deliver Ryan White Part A services for income-eligible people with HIV in New York City and Putnam, Rockland, and Westchester Counties. Services include care coordination, food and nutrition services, harm reduction services, housing assistance, legal services, mental health services, and supportive counseling and family stabilization services, among others. Services are available to all Ryan White Part A clients, regardless of immigration status. To locate a Ryan White Part A provider near you, visit the Ryan White Services Finder.
The Positive Life Workshop is a peer-ked workshop that helps people with HIV to take medicines and see their medical provider regularly. The free monthly workshops are available in English and Spanish. To locate a workshop, visit the NYC Health Department’s HIV Treatment web page and select “Positive Life Workshop.”
Many drug manufacturers’ patient assistance programs help cover the costs of certain medications, including PrEP and HIV treatment, for patients, including undocumented patients. Ask your doctor or care coordinator for more information.
Housing and other benefits available to New Yorkers with HIV, regardless of immigration status
Income-eligible people with HIV and their families, regardless of immigration status, may be eligible for housing assistance through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)’s Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS (HOPWA) program. For a list of HOPWA agencies, visit the NYC HOPWA Resource Directory. For more information on HOPWA, including HOPWA housing options, visit the NYC Health Department’s HOPWA web page.
The New York City Department of Social Services/Human Resources Administration’s HIV/AIDS Services Administration (HASA) program is another source of housing support for income-eligible people with HIV in New York City. HASA caseworkers provide ongoing case management and work with clients to develop individualized service plans to secure necessary benefits and support, including housing and rental assistance. For more information on HASA, including on how to apply for benefits and housing assistance, visit the HASA web page or call the HASA Service Line at 212-971-0626, Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm.
Health care access programs available to New Yorkers, regardless of immigration status
Income-eligible New Yorkers with HIV who are uninsured or underinsured – regardless of immigration status – may be eligible for New York State’s Uninsured Care Programs. One of these programs, the AIDS Drug Assistance Program, provides free medications for the treatment of HIV and opportunistic infections. For more information or to apply, visit the Uninsured Care Programs Portal or call 1-800-542-2437 or 1-844-682-4058, Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm.
NYC Care is a health care access program guaranteeing low- and no-cost services to New Yorkers who do not qualify for or cannot afford health insurance, regardless of immigration status. All NYC Care services are provided through New York City Health + Hospitals. In April 2019, New York City Health + Hospitals reissued an open letter to immigrant New Yorkers reassuring them that they can get medical care in any public health care setting without fear.
For more information on health care and health insurance for immigrants in New York City, visit the New York City Human Resources Administration Office of Citywide Health Insurance Access’s Immigrants web page.
Services and resources for immigrant New Yorkers
For more information about City services and resources for immigrant New Yorkers – including immigration legal help, health care, education, emergency food, protections against discrimination, protections against domestic violence, and immigration, tenants’, and workers’ rights – visit the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA)’s Health and Disability Access web page, where A Resource Guide for Immigrant New Yorkers is available in 26 languages.
Other resources
Documented presents this list of organizations that have offered HIV-related services. This list may not be up to date:
- AIDS Center of Queens County (ACQC):
Phone: 718-896-2500
Services: HIV, ADAP.
- APICHA Community Health Center:
Phone: 646-744-2591
Services: HIV Care, PrEP and PEP Services, Medical Care
- Callen-Lorde Community Health Center:
Phone: 212-241-7200
Services: PrEP, HIV,
- Housing Works:
Phone: 212-465-8304 (in Chelsea), 212-677-7999 (in Lower East side), 718-277-0386 (in East New York), 929-509-0914 (in Downtown Brooklyn).
Services: HIV, PrEP/PEP (including same-day emergency PEP services)
- Community Health Network (CHN)
Phone: 212-477-1120 (Lower East Side), 718-523-2123 (Jamaica)
Services: HIV testing.
- CAMBA
Phone: 718-287-2600
- GMHC
Phone: 212-367-1327
- Dominican Women’s Development Center
Phone: 212-994-6060.
- Latino Commission on AIDS.
Phone: 212-675-3288 Ext: 301
- OASIS Latino LGBTS Wellness Center.
Phone: 917-438-0698
- Immigration Equality
Phone: 212-714-2904
