"but said they are eligible"

Their employer needs to submit and there are about 4 days left:

https://www.health.ny.gov/health_care/medicaid/providers/hwb_program/hwb_program_expansion_notice.ht...

And there was a small expansion for the type of worker that qualifies. The employer needs to take the action.

https://www.leadingageny.org/topics/workforce-issues-and-regulations/tools-and-resources/healthcare-...

"The HWB Program portal will be open for 30 days beginning Feb. 1, 2023 for this “Exception Submission” period. Members may recall that while the program was expanded to include some additional worker titles and provider types in November 2022, employers were instructed to wait to submit claims for those made eligible by the expansion until a special submission period was announced."