March 8, 2021



Dear Community Partner:
 
Thank you for your ongoing partnership in our shared commitment to serve New Yorkers in need during the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
Following our standing weekly call, we continue to share important updates as well as an ongoing synopsis of the information shared in prior communications which can be found on our DSS COVID-19 Community Updates page
 
COVID-19 Vaccination Updates
 
New York State has now expanded its COVID-19 vaccine eligibility criteria to include workers at regional food banks, food pantries, and permitted home-delivered meal programs, as well as workers in permitted soup kitchen and congregate meal programs. Public-facing hotel workers are also now eligible. For more information, including the latest information on the State’s vaccine eligibility criteria, visit nyc.gov/covid19vaccine.
 
As we announced last week, two borough-specific vaccination sites have opened at Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn and York College in Queens. These sites are now open to any eligible resident of Brooklyn (Medgar Evers) or Queens (York), respectively. Appointments can be scheduled at these two locations here or by calling 1-833-697-4829.

The federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has now granted emergency authorization for the Johnson & Johnson/Janssen single dose coronavirus vaccine in the United State for adults 18 and older. In clinical trials, this vaccine prevented death and hospitalizations. More information can be found at the FDA’s website
 
As a reminder, appointments are required at all locations in order to be vaccinated. Please visit the NYC COVID-19 Vaccine Finder at nyc.gov/vac4nyc or call 877-VAX-4NYC (877-829-4692) for more information, to find a vaccine hub near you, or to schedule an appointment. Additional sites are coming online every day, so please continue to check the Vaccine Finder site often.
 
Yankee Stadium and CitiField remain open as vaccine sites serving eligible residents of the Bronx and Queens, respectively. Individuals are required to bring proof of residency to their appointments. A dedicated vaccine site only for Staten Island residents opened on Friday, February 19 at the Empire Outlets. This site will be open 7 days a week from 8am to 5pm.

Taskforce on Racial Inclusion and Equity Vaccine Prioritization
 
Increasing vaccine access points in local communities is effective in fighting disparity in the vaccine rollout and countering the disparate impact of COVID-19. The temporary onsite clinics at New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) and senior buildings have increased access to the vaccine by meeting seniors where they are, particularly in the City’s Taskforce-identified neighborhoods that have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.
 
Mayor Bill de Blasio and the Taskforce on Racial Inclusion and Equity have released an expanded list of 33 COVID-impacted neighborhoods identified by the Taskforce, where the City will broaden its outreach and education to address vaccine hesitancy, prioritize appointments, add new vaccine sites, and improve the scheduling website to ensure the pace of vaccination is consistent throughout the city. City vaccination sites in Taskforce neighborhoods are now prioritizing appointments for neighborhood residents, setting aside specific hours and slots. For eligible essential workers in the Taskforce neighborhoods, the City will create 'family plans' — allowing the workers to schedule appointments for eligible family members on-site. More information and a full list of neighborhoods can be found here. 
 
To improve accessibility, the City’s appointment scheduling site will now be available in a total of 11 languages, including English, Arabic, Urdu, Bengali, French, Haitian-Creole, Korean, Polish, Russian, Spanish, and Simplified Chinese. 
 
Vaccination Resources for Seniors
 
New Yorkers age 65+ who make a vaccination appointment at a City-operated site will be asked if they need transportation to get to and from their appointment. Seniors will be directed to options including Access-a-Ride, ambulette services, and cab service via Curb.

The NYC vaccine finder now shows when Duane Reade + Walgreens pharmacies have first dose appointments available. Pharmacies are currently only vaccinating New Yorkers who are 65 and over.
 
Assistance for New Yorkers Who Test Positive for COVID
 
NYC Health & Hospitals' Test & Trace Corps is providing special services for New Yorkers who test positive and their close contacts:
  • “Take Care” packages which include enough personal protective equipment for a household of three to quarantine for 10-14 days. Learn more here.
  • A free hotel room for up to 14 days if quarantining at home is impossible. Click here to learn more or call (212) 268-4319 to book a room.
  • Free dog walking and other pet drop-in services to ensure New Yorkers can remain safely separated in a hotel or at home. Learn more here.
 
Free COVID-19 Testing Sites

Free testing continues to be available throughout the five boroughs. As a reminder, getting tested is safe, confidential, and free. All New Yorkers should get tested, even those who do not have symptoms or are unsure if they were exposed to COVID-19. Getting frequent tests should be every New Yorker's goal. Don't stop at just one test. A schedule of mobile testing locations throughout the City as well as detailed information on locations and types of testing offered at regular testing sites (including rapid testing and antibody tests) can be found here. Locations of testing sites can also be accessed by texting “COVID TEST” to 855-48. These are no cost testing sites open to all New Yorkers.
 
The Test-and-Trace corps offers the COVID 19 Wait Times Dashboard. This dashboard displays estimated wait times for NYC Health + Hospitals COVID-19 testing locations. This wait time information is updated by site staff every two hours.
 
DOE students and employees, and employees of DOE-contracted early childhood programs and the Learning Bridges Program can get priority COVID testing at 22 Health and Hospitals testing sites. These locations are walk-in only. More information can be found here.
 
Hardship Declarations to Prevent Eviction
 
Under the NYS COVID-19 Emergency Eviction and Foreclosure Prevention Act and an order of NYS Chief Administrative Judge Lawrence Marks, all pending eviction cases in New York City Housing Court were stayed through February 26.
 
The Eviction Prevention Act also provides for an extension of that moratorium on eviction cases for nonpayment of rent and some holdover cases at least until May 1 for any tenant who has suffered from financial hardship during the pandemic, or would suffer hardship as a result of having to move, and has submitted a hardship declaration to the landlord, landlord’s agent, or to the Housing Court.
 
Beginning March 1, eviction proceedings can move forward for nonpayment cases where a tenant has not filed a hardship declaration. However, tenants may still complete and return a hardship declaration at any time to prevent a landlord from filing or continuing an eviction proceeding until at least May 1.
 
Hardship declaration forms are available to download in 20 languages on the New York Courts website.
 
To access free legal assistance through HRA’s Office of Civil Justice, New Yorkers can call 311 and ask for the tenant helpline.
 
Federal Emergency Broadband Benefit Program
 
The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program, included in the federal Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, helps to lower the cost of high-speed internet and computers/tablets for eligible low-income households during the COVID-19 pandemic. The federal program, which is expected to be open to eligible households by the end of April 2021, will provide:

  • Up to $50 a month to low-income households for broadband service;
  • Up to $75 a month to households on Native American land for broadband service; and
  • A one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute $10-$50 toward the purchase price.

A household is eligible if one member of the household:

  • Receives Medicaid or SNAP benefits, or is otherwise eligible for the FCC Lifeline program;
  • Receives benefits under the free or reduced-price school lunch program or the school breakfast program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision, or did so in the 2019-2020 school year;
  • Experienced a substantial loss of income since February 29, 2020, and the household had a total income in 2020 below $99,000 for single filers and $198,000 for joint filers;
  • Received a Federal Pell Grant in the current award year; or
  • Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider’s existing low-income or COVID-19 program.

Eligible households can enroll through a participating broadband provider or directly with the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC). The Emergency Broadband Benefit is limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount per household. For more information or to sign up to receive updates, visit the FCC website. We will continue to share more information about this benefit as it becomes available.

Time Period for Accessing Benefits
 
In response to questions received on our weekly call, below is information confirming the length of time that benefits remain available in accordance with federal and State requirements:
 
SNAP Benefits (Food Stamps):
SNAP Benefits are issued to an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) SNAP Benefits account on the same date each month. If benefits remain unused on an EBT SNAP Benefits account for 365 consecutive days, the benefits will fall into expungement status. This means that any SNAP Benefits that have been available in an account for at least 365 days will be expunged (removed). Expunged SNAP Benefits cannot be replaced.
 
Cash Assistance:
Cash benefits are available to the recipient as long as there is activity in the account. If there is no account activity for 90 days, the remaining benefits are expunged without notice.
 
Regardless of activity, a cash benefit must be entirely withdrawn by the recipient within 180 days of its availability date. The remaining balance of the 180-day cash benefit will be expunged from the account without notice to the recipient.
 
City FHEPS and Rental Assistance
 
City FHEPS is one of the programs that provides ongoing rental assistance. This is a benefit that is made available to clients who are in shelter or for some individuals facing eviction. More information about City FHEPS eligibility for community tenants can be found here and information on eligibility for households residing in shelter can be found here

City FHEPS information in additional languages can be found here.

In the community, Homebase and HRA’s Adult Protective Services (APS) program can help eligible clients facing eviction obtain rental assistance. CityFHEPS letters are generated by the Homebase or APS program and given to the client by the client's case manager at the time they are created. Homebase locations are currently closed but are providing their services by phone. Clients can find the phone number for the Homebase location that serves their zip code here, and access information about Homebase in numerous languages here.

In DHS shelter, most letters are generated automatically through a data match and issued to the client's shelter through the DHS CARES system. After a letter is generated, it is placed in the shelter Provider’s folder in the S drive and in the CARES system.  Providers are instructed to check these folders on a regular basis. Additionally, a shelter case manager can request a letter if they don’t see a letter for their client in their folder. Usually, letters are generated within 24 hours after the request. For existing City FHEPS clients in shelter, we continue to operate the program with some modifications to our usual process:

  • For clients whose eligibility is based on employment, they will still be eligible to rent housing with City FHEPS even if they have reduced or lost work during the pandemic.
  • We will automatically reissue City FHEPS shopping letters as they expire. There is no need to reapply.
  • For apartment inspections, we have created a virtual viewing and walk-through process. Clients are also able to view apartments virtually.
  • HRA is still processing and issuing rental assistance checks. 

Emergency Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Allotments
 
As it did in prior months during the public health emergency, OTDA is issuing an emergency SNAP supplement to households who were issued SNAP benefits for March 2021 and whose issuance was less than the maximum allotment for their household size. The amount of the supplement is the difference between the amount the household was issued and the maximum allotment. 

For example, if a SNAP household of two people was issued $237 for March 2021, the household is issued a supplement of $193 because the maximum allotment for two people is $430.
                                                 
The emergency SNAP supplement is being issued to households even if their SNAP case is currently closed. However, households who already received the maximum SNAP allotment will not receive an emergency supplement for March. Further information is available here.
 
Answers to many questions about SNAP Emergency Allotments for clients and providers can be found in this document. If clients want to know when their emergency SNAP benefits are available, they can check their available SNAP balance at accesshra.nyc.gov.
 
Immigration Policy Updates
 
On February 22nd, USCIS released a policy alert indicating that due to the comments made on the previous administration's new Citizenship civics test and in keeping with the current Administration's executive orders, USCIS would be reverting to the 2008 version of the test. Applicants who filed between December 1, 2020 and March 1, 2021 and are scheduled to interview before April 19, 2021 may be offered both versions of the test, but any other applicant will be given the 2008 test. 
 
The Trump Administration had introduced a new version of the civics test effective December 1, 2020 which doubled the length of the test, increased the number of total study questions, replaced a significant portion of the prior study questions, and required test administrators to ask all questions even if an applicant had already correctly answered the requisite 60%. This version of the test received criticism for its short notice and complaints of incorrect and misleading questions and answers.
 
Broadband Access in Shelter
 
The City is working with Senator Alessandra Biaggi and Assemblymember Andrew Hevesi on legislation (S3593/A3912) to provide State funding to expand the provision of broadband service in shelters.
 
“Pay It Off” – Child Support Debt Reduction
 
As we announced previously, the Pay It Off Child Support Debt Reduction Program is open from March 1 through 31. Pay It Off allows noncustodial parents to reduce their child support debt owed to the New York City Department of Social Services (NYC DSS) twice as fast. For this limited time, noncustodial parents can get qualified payments matched dollar for dollar. Pay It Off will match payments they make in March of at least $200 toward their NYC DSS child support debt – up to the amount they permanently owe NYC DSS. Payments must be over the amount of their monthly child support obligation. Noncustodial parents should sign and submit the agreement along with a copy of their photo I.D. by mail or email to the HRA Office of Child Support Services (OCSS). You can access the agreement form and learn more at nyc.gov/payitoff.
 
The OCSS Customer Service Office is closed and cannot be directly reached by telephone. If a client wants to speak with an OCSS staff member, they can request a telephone appointment by sending an email to dcse.cseweb@dfa.state.ny.us. Clients should include their case number, contact information, and, in the subject line, the reason for their inquiry or that they are “requesting a customer service appointment.” If their request for a telephone appointment is about the Pay It Off program, clients should write “Pay It Off” in the subject line of their email. Updates can be found at our website.
 
Clients can also call the New York State Child Support Helpline at 1-888-208-4485 (TTY: 1-866-875-9975), Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–7:00 PM to request a call back from their local child support office.

Social Security Administration Assistance
 
Most Social Security services can be completed online at www.SSA.gov. Questions can also be answered by phone at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), or by calling a local Social Security office. Some services may require a face-to-face interview, especially for dire need situations and critical cases. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, to keep the public and SSA employees safe, in-person assistance is limited to appointment only for certain dire need situations. 
 
Those with a dire need situation who have been unable to get the help they need can contact the Regional Public Affairs Office at 212-264-2500 or ny.rpa@ssa.gov.
 
How to Apply for SNAP and Cash Assistance

In response to requests we’ve received for detailed instructions on how clients can apply for Cash Assistance and SNAP benefits, we are providing the information below which will be available on our DSS COVID-19 Community Updates page.
 
SNAP: 
 
  • How to Apply
  • You can apply online on ACCESS HRARead the user guide for ACCESS HRA.
  • You can call our Infoline at 718-557-1399 to have the application form (LDSS-4826) mailed to you or access it here.
  • You can pick up an application at an open SNAP center.
  • SNAP Applicants can fax an application to MARU at 917-639-1111.
  • Mail or drop off your application to an open SNAP center.

Those unable to file an application using the methods described above may call Infoline to set up an appointment to complete an application over the phone.
 
  • How to Return or Submit Documents. You can submit documents in the following ways:
  • Upload them using the ACCESS HRA mobile app. Go to nyc.gov/hradocs
  • Fax them to 917-639-2535
  • Mail them to: Centralized Recertification Mail Unit, PO Box 29008, Brooklyn, NY 11202
  • Bring them to an open SNAP center.
 
Cash Assistance:
 

Those unable to file an application using the methods described above may call Infoline to set up an appointment to complete an application over the phone.
 
  • How to Return or Submit Documents. You can submit documents in the following ways:
  • Upload them using the ACCESS HRA mobile app. Go to nyc.gov/hradocs
  • Fax, mail or bring them to an open Job Center location in your borough.
 
Both SNAP and Cash Assistance applications can be accessed on the “Forms” page of the OTDA website here.
 
Online Educational Resources – Lynda.com
 
The Office of Workforce Development is pleased to share a professional development resource, Lynda.com (also known as LinkedIn Learning). This resource is an online educational site. Users can access thousands of courses and videos in fields including but not limited to management, information technology, and education and instruction. To access Lynda.com, users must: 
 
  1. Have or obtain a New York Public Library (NYPL) card.
  2. Access the “Lynda.com for NYPL” site by clicking here.
  3. Select the Connect to database link (found in the center section of the page),
  4. Enter the library card number and library card pin where indicated, and
  5. Create your Lynda.com profile by entering your first name, last name and e-mail address, then click the Save button.
 
The Lynda.com site will open and display popular learning paths and subjects.

Weekly Remote Learning Support Sessions for Parents and Caregivers

The Office of Congressman Espaillat (NY-13) and the Manhattan Borough/Citywide Office of the Department of Education have outlined a program where each week they will offer a ZOOM Online Training to Parent/Caregivers in need of assistance with remote learning. Sessions will cover a range of topics, ranging from navigating remote learning for students with disabilities, multilingual learners, and more. Sessions will be led by leaders at the NYC Department of Education and will be available both live and for viewing later. The first session is on March 9, 2021, from 5:00-6:30 p.m., and will focus on “Supporting Families in Navigating Remote Learning for Multilingual Learners.” You can learn more about the full schedule of events and register here to attend a session or view it later.
 
NYCHA Town Halls
 
NYCHA Town Halls are being held throughout March; you can learn more about the Blueprint for Change and register for an event here.
 
Pending State Legislation
 
The agency is working with State legislators to pass new legislation on two important issues impacting recipients of Cash Assistance:  
 
Telephone interviews for Cash Assistance (S3223A/A5414) — The proposed legislation, introduced by Social Services Committee Chairs Senator Roxanne Persaud and Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal, seeks to make permanent the current emergency waiver allowing Cash Assistance interviews for new applications and recertifications to be conducted by telephone. This waiver has been critical to our ability to provide service to clients during the pandemic. We are hopeful that the passage of this bill will support our ongoing efforts to provide flexibility to clients in the benefits application process by allowing clients to complete applications for Cash Assistance without having to come to an HRA center, in the same way we have been successfully serving SNAP clients with telephone interviews for several years. During the week of February 22, 2021, the bill was reported out of the Senate and Assembly Social Services Committees, and on March 5 the full Senate passed the bill by a vote of 61 to 2. 
 
The Home Stability Support rent supplemental program (S856) — This bill, which was introduced by Senator Krueger and supported by Senator Persaud and Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal, provides for a statewide rent supplement for families and individuals who are facing eviction, homelessness, or loss of housing due to domestic violence or hazardous living conditions. The program seeks to provide support to families and individuals to keep them in their homes and out of homeless shelters by providing sufficient rental assistance and, in some cases, heating assistance.   
 
SCHE/DHE Renewals

Due to a new law passed in response to COVID-19, most current Senior Citizen Homeowners’ Exemption (SCHE) and Disabled Homeowners’ Exemption (DHE) recipients are not required to renew their benefits this year.

The NYC Department of Finance (DOF) will mail homeowners a renewal letter if there is a need to take any action before the March 15th renewal deadline; otherwise, the benefit will automatically renew at its current level.

Please Note: renewal applications are still required in the event of:
  • Changes to the recipient’s primary residence;
  • The addition of another owner to the deed; and/or
  • The transfer of the property to a new owner.
 
Also, if an individual’s income decreased in 2020, they have the option to submit a renewal application so that DOF can determine eligibility for a larger benefit.

Owners with questions should contact www.nyc.gov/contactpropexemptions.

For those that are not yet a SCHE or DHE recipient, the deadline for initial applications is March 15, 2021. Application instructions can be found here. Department of Finance on-line information sessions can be found by clicking here.
 
Updated Guidance for Infection Rates on College Campuses
 
On February 19, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced updated guidance for infection rates and testing protocols on college campuses. More information can be found here. 

Community-wide Conference Call

We appreciate your continued participation in our weekly briefing calls and your ongoing work to help make sure that the critical information and details about changes we are making in response to the pandemic are being communicated to our clients. Your active engagement is appreciated, and your questions and suggestions help us better understand the needs of those we serve and respond accordingly. 

If you were not able to join our weekly call (usually on Tuesdays), please find an audio recording here and use Covid-19 as the password. The information contained in this communication is a synopsis of what was shared.
 
Each week, we will provide all of the information included in each of our prior communications on our website on the COVID-19 Community Updates page. If you would like to reference a specific prior communication, links to each of the prior communications can be found on the community updates page.
 
As a reminder, we have a standing informational call on Tuesdays at 4:00PM. In the event that the date or time of the weekly call needs to change due to extenuating circumstances, a notification is sent out from DSSoutreach@dss.nyc.gov, in addition to an updated calendar invitation to those who have signed up to join the calls. To be added to this list, please reach out to DSSoutreach@dss.nyc.gov.

Please note that there are several hundred participants on these weekly calls, and as a result they may start a few minutes late to allow as many people to join as possible and hear all the information. In addition, the large number of participants does not allow us to have individual conversations efficiently, which is why we respond to individual inquiries through the chat box. If you have additional questions after the call, please reach out to DSSoutreach@dss.nyc.gov or the appropriate contact area listed on our COVID 19 Community Updates page.

CART (Communication Access Realtime Translation) is available during these calls as an accommodation for individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. Please contact oria@dss.nyc.gov at least four hours prior to the call to enable this service.

As always, thank you for your continued partnership in serving New Yorkers in need, particularly now when our clients need us more than ever. If you have any questions or concerns about the changes we have made and are continuing to develop to address the COVID pandemic, please do not hesitate to reach out to the Office of Advocacy and Outreach at DSSoutreach@dss.nyc.gov.


Sincerely,


Steven Banks
DSS Commissioner
New York City Department of Social Services