In observance of Maternal Health Awareness Day, Jan. 23, and as part of EmblemHealth’s commitment to the health of pregnant women and infants, we are sharing an important resource with our providers that can help alleviate poverty and give this population a healthy start.
The Bridge Project (not to be confused with our Bridge Program) seeks to solve child poverty in New York. Launched in June 2021 by The Monarch Foundation as a 501(c)3 charity organization, it is New York's first consistent, unconditional cash allowance program for this population. The Bridge Project supports healthy development for babies during their first 1,000 days of life by providing their mothers with consistent cash on a biweekly basis for three years – no strings attached and no conditions.
The Bridge Project serves 1,100 babies and their mothers across all five boroughs of New York City and recently launched a presence across New York state, starting with Rochester and Buffalo.
The program will continue to expand as it works to solve child poverty here and across the country.
All expectant mothers who meet the below current criteria are encouraged to apply regardless of insurance coverage or citizenship status. Mothers are selected for the program from the pool of applicants and will be notified in their 23rd week of pregnancy if they will receive these unrestricted income payments.
The Bridge Project eligibility criteria*:
- Be 18 years old or older.
- Be 23 weeks pregnant or less with your first child.
- Have an annual household income under $52,000 for NYC residents, under $40,000 for Rochester and Buffalo
- Live in New York City, Rochester, or Buffalo
*Note: Eligibility criteria will be updated in 2024 as the Bridge Project expands.
Mothers can still receive a list of resources and organizations specific to their community if they do not meet the above criteria or meet the criteria but are not selected for the payments. In addition, every mother who completes a survey sent by the Bridge Project can receive up to $50 twice per year.
If you have additional questions about The Bridge Project, email them at info@bridgeproject.org. If you have an EmblemHealth member you believe could benefit from maternal health care management, please call us at 855-283-2146 (TTY:711).
JP 64417 01/2024
