# Living with HIV: treatment and help

Source: https://www.qaravan.org/resources/health/hiv-care/

How to get HIV treatment for free without insurance or citizenship, what the City’s HASA offers, and what HIV means for immigration papers.

Which medicine to take and at what dose is for a doctor to decide.

## Start here

- The state program ADAP gives HIV medicines for free; citizenship is not required. Apply online: [nyucp.providecm.net](https://nyucp.providecm.net).
- Any New York City resident with HIV qualifies for the City’s HASA: help with Medicaid, food aid, cash assistance and housing. On the HASA line, say "Russian" and a free interpreter joins.
- Since January 4, 2010, HIV is not a medical reason to refuse a green card.

## If you have HIV

A state program pays for HIV medicines; citizenship is not required. If your diagnosis is new, book a clinic such as Callen-Lorde or Brooklyn Plaza Medical Center, and apply to the state program online right away.

- New York State Uninsured Care Programs (ADAP) Any status Free New York State Health Department programs for state residents with no or not enough insurance and family income below 500% FPL. Citizenship is not required. ADAP (AIDS Drug Assistance Program) gives HIV medicines for free; ADAP Plus gives free primary care at some clinics; HIV Home Care covers care at home; APIC (ADAP Plus Insurance Continuation Program) pays insurance premiums; PrEP-AP helps with PrEP. Apply online at [nyucp.providecm.net](https://nyucp.providecm.net) or by mail on form DOH-2794 (also in Russian: [health.ny.gov/forms/doh-2794ru.pdf](https://health.ny.gov/forms/doh-2794ru.pdf)); decisions take 1–3 business days. Closed November 11 and 26 and December 25, 2026. [healthweb-back.health.ny.gov](https://healthweb-back.health.ny.gov/diseases/aids/general/resources/adap/index.htm)
- Brooklyn Plaza Medical Center, Rising Heights Program Any status Price depends on income A community clinic in Brooklyn with the Rising Heights program for people with HIV. Help getting insurance, sliding-scale fees, payment plans. Two sites: 1089 President Street, and Medical Center at Benjamin Banneker Academy, 77 Clinton Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11205, Mon–Fri 8 am–5 pm. [brooklynplaza.org](https://www.brooklynplaza.org/paying-for-care/) 1089 President Street, Brooklyn, NY 11225; Medical Center at Benjamin Banneker Academy, 77 Clinton Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11205 1089 President Street: Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri 8 am–5 pm; Tue 8 am–8 pm; Sat 9 am–5 pm; Sun closed. 77 Clinton Avenue: Mon–Fri 8 am–5 pm

## HASA: City help for people with HIV

- HIV/AIDS Services Administration (HASA) Any status NYC residents Free A unit of the City's benefits agency HRA. HASA manages your case and helps you get benefits and services: Medicaid, SNAP food aid, cash assistance, temporary and permanent housing, rental help, home care, referrals for mental health and substance use care, help with work and transportation, and applying for and appealing federal disability payments SSI/SSD. Since August 29, 2016, any New York City resident with HIV or AIDS qualifies. A HASA worker will explain what you can get. On the HASA phone line, say "Russian" and a free interpreter joins. If you have trouble with HASA, the legal nonprofit Legal Services NYC helps for free: [917-661-4500](tel:9176614500), press 3 for Russian. [718-557-1399](tel:7185571399) [nyc.gov](https://www.nyc.gov/site/hra/help/hiv-aids-services.page) 400 Eighth Avenue, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10001 Mon–Fri 9 am–5 pm

## HIV and immigration papers

QARAVAN does not provide legal services. Only an immigration lawyer can answer questions about your case.

- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Policy Manual, Volume 8, Part B, Chapter 6 Any status The manual for USCIS officers. Since January 4, 2010, HIV is not a medical ground for inadmissibility to the US. [uscis.gov](https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-8-part-b-chapter-6)

## Glossary: definitions of special terms and abbreviations

- ****: 
- ****: 
- ****: 
- ****: 

This is general information, not legal advice: QARAVAN has no lawyers. QARAVAN does not help anyone enter the US and cannot arrange visas, invitations, sponsorship or evacuation. For your own case, talk to a licensed immigration attorney or a representative accredited by the U.S. Department of Justice.

[All pages: Health care and insurance](https://www.qaravan.org/resources/health/)

**Sources, checked November 2026**

- [brooklynplaza.org/paying-for-care](https://www.brooklynplaza.org/paying-for-care/)
- [healthweb-back.health.ny.gov/diseases/aids/general/resources/a…](https://healthweb-back.health.ny.gov/diseases/aids/general/resources/adap/index.htm)
- [nyc.gov/site/hra/help/hiv-aids-services.page](https://www.nyc.gov/site/hra/help/hiv-aids-services.page)
- [uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-8-part-b-chapter-6](https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-8-part-b-chapter-6)