Application for ACF EQUAL Funds Due Aug. 27th

(July 11, 2026) The Department of Health (DOH) has issued a Dear Administrator letter (DAL) announcing the opportunity for adult care facilities (ACFs) to apply for funds under the Enhancing the Quality of Adult Living (EQUAL) Program for State Fiscal Year 2026-27. ACFs that provide services to individuals receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), State Supplemental Program (SSP) benefits, Safety Net assistance, and/or Medicaid (with respect to residents of Assisted Living Programs) are eligible. The purpose of this program is to enhance the quality of care and life experience for residents, and funding is utilized to improve or expand services and/or enhance the facility’s physical environment.

Successful applicants will receive a per-person amount based on the number of eligible residents as reported on the most recently closed Quarterly Statistical Information Report (QSIR). An additional funding allotment will be provided to facilities with a certified capacity of 100 beds and under.

Important Notes

Applications must be electronically submitted by 5:00 pm on August 27, 2026 and can be accessed at https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/8398240/ACF-Equal-2026-27-Application. LeadingAge NY urges members to review your responses to the application questions before submission and save a copy of what you submitted. Providers have been excluded from eligibility for making errors on this form, answering questions in a way that excluded from eligibility.

Please also note that the application requires you to submit proof of a Statewide Financial System (SFS) Vendor account. Historically, some members struggled to access accounts to provide this verification, and found that it could take weeks to resolve the issue with SFS. Thus, we urge members to begin this process immediately. Failing to provide this proof of documentation will result in you being ineligible for EQUAL funds. Questions about SFS accounts can be directed to HelpDesk@sfs.ny.gov.

Facilities deemed eligible for EQUAL funding will receive written notification of intent to award. Upon receipt, such facilities have 30 calendar days to submit a proposed spending plan.

Conclusion

We encourage members to review the DAL carefully and begin the process early to allow time to resolve any issues.  Questions regarding EQUAL can be directed to ltcresidentialsupport.equal@health.ny.gov.

Contact: Diane Darbyshire, ddarbyshire@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8828