RFA #20781 Legal Services for People with HIV/AIDS

The New York State Department of Health, through its AIDS Institute and Division of HIV and Hepatitis Health Care, Bureau of Community Support Services, is offering funding through Request for Applications #20781 to support the provision of comprehensive legal services for individuals living with HIV/AIDS. This initiative reflects the state’s commitment to addressing health disparities and improving outcomes for people living with HIV/AIDS by integrating legal services into broader health and social care systems. The program prioritizes populations that are disproportionately impacted, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, and seeks to address structural barriers tied to social determinants of health. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to support innovative and comprehensive legal service models that address a wide range of civil legal issues affecting individuals living with HIV/AIDS and their families. These services may include assistance with benefits and income maintenance, housing stability, employment and education rights, healthcare access, advance directives, and family-related legal matters. By addressing these legal needs, the program aims to improve health outcomes and overall quality of life for participants. The funding structure allocates a total of 2,750,000 dollars annually over a five-year period, resulting in a total program investment of 13,750,000 dollars. Individual awards vary by geographic region, with up to 315,000 dollars per year available for providers in New York City, Long Island, and the Hudson Valley, and up to 215,000 dollars per year for providers in other regions of the state, including Central New York, Finger Lakes, Northeastern New York, and Western New York. These funds are intended to support direct service delivery as well as collaborative partnerships that enhance service integration. Eligible applicants include governmental entities and not-for-profit organizations capable of delivering legal services to the target population. The program emphasizes collaboration across sectors, encouraging partnerships with community-based organizations, law schools, healthcare providers, and federally qualified health centers. This integrated approach is intended to ensure that legal services are embedded within a broader continuum of care and are accessible to those most in need. Applications must be submitted by June 11, 2026 at 4:00 PM Eastern Time. Prospective applicants may submit written questions to the designated program email address by May 11, 2026, with responses to be posted on or about May 27, 2026. No letter of intent is required for this funding opportunity. The anticipated award date is September 1, 2026, and the initial contract period is expected to span 60 months. The application process requires submission of a full proposal in response to the RFA, including program design, service delivery approach, and evidence of capacity to serve the target population. Applications will be evaluated based on their ability to deliver comprehensive, innovative legal services and demonstrate meaningful collaboration with relevant partners. Successful applicants will enter into a multi-year contract with the New York State Department of Health to implement their proposed programs.