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 call on Tuesday, as we have been doing each week, we want to share important updates, with a synopsis of prior communications at the bottom of this letter. We will continue to provide these updates weekly and encourage you to reach out to us at  dss outre ach@dss.nyc.gov   with questions. 

Online ACCESS HRA Training 
As we discussed on the call this week, in an effort to facilitate greater access to benefits using our online tools, we are now offering ACCESS HRA training webinars.  These trainings are open to CBOs and elected officials’ offices and will provide information on use of ACCESS HRA for SNAP and Cash applications as well as the Provider Portal. 

  • The ACCESS HRA Cash Assistance Webinar will simulate a Cash Assistance (CA) application via ACCESS HRA. This webinar is held on Mondays from 3-4pm.  You can sign up for an upcoming session by clicking HERE.

  • The ACCESS HRA SNAP Webinar will simulate a SNAP application via ACCESS HRA. This webinar is held on Wednesdays from 3-4pm. You can sign up for an upcoming session by clicking HERE.

  • The ACCESS HRA General Overview Webinar is a three-part presentation that offers an overview of ACCESS HRA – the client facing website; the Provider Portal – the case management tool that allows organizations to view real-time case information for clients that have provided consent; and the ACCESS HRA Mobile App. This webinar is held on Fridays from 10am-12pm. You can sign up for an upcoming session by clicking HERE.

SNAP Interviews at Initial Application and Recertification
We have received a federal waiver that allows issuance of SNAP benefits without an interview, provided that  both  of the following conditions have been met:

  • the applicant’s identity has been verified; and,
  • all other mandatory information and verification has been provided and is valid:
  1. Identity
  2. Social Security number (as already required by federal law)
  3. Residency
  4. Gross non-exempt income (earned and unearned)
  5. Disability
  6. "Alien eligibility” (as already required by federal law)

Pursuant to the federal waiver, if either of these conditions has  not  been met, then an interview will be required according to regular interview policy and processes. Under the federal waiver, interviews will still be required if any of the information submitted is unclear or cannot be verified through separate data matches.  

We are aware that some clients are still receiving phone calls regarding missed interview appointments. While most interviews are waived, as outlined above, some clients are still required to have a phone interview.  

Issuance of Expedited SNAP 
For applications eligible for expedited benefits, the only information that must be verified prior to the initial expedited issuance is the applicant’s identity. Under the federal waiver, until May 31, an interview is not required for issuance of expedited benefits. 

Enhanced SNAP benefits
Supplemental SNAP benefits for households that received a SNAP benefit in March and/or April that was not at the maximum benefit level for their household size have been approved at the Federal level and the State will automatically add these benefits to recipients’ EBT account by the end of April. The State will continue to identify cases and issue supplemental benefits beyond April for any cases that were not identified in the initial run either because of a late in April application or a delay in processing caused a delay in their regular SNAP issuance. Further information is available  here .

Grab and Go and GetFoodNYC are available now
As mentioned on the prior calls, Grab and Go meals are available for pick up at locations throughout the Cit. Additional information can be found here .

  • Meals Hubs will operate for children and families from 7:30 am to 11:30 am, and for adults from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm.
  • No one will be turned away at any time.
  • No registration, ID, or documentation is required.
  • All three meals a day may be picked up at the same time.
  • Parents and guardians may pick up meals for their children‎.

The City has also created the GetFoodNYC program to provide food for coronavirus (COVID-19)-vulnerable and food-insecure New Yorkers not currently served through existing food delivery programs. Online assistance can be found at the   here  or by calling 311. 

DOE Regional Enrichment Centers
The Department of Education provides child care and 3 meals daily to children of essential service workers. Information about the program can be found  here . 

Community-wide Conference Call
If you were not able to join Tuesday’s call, please find an audio recording  here  and use  Covid-19  as the password. 
 
For a copy of our previous communications, click on the following links: 


As a reminder, we now have a standing informational call on  Tuesdays at 4:00PM . Details about this call will be sent under separate cover. 

As always, thank you for your continued partnership in serving New Yorkers in need, particularly now when our clients need us more than ever.

Contact for Electeds
If you have any questions or concerns about the changes we have made during this crisis, please do not hesitate to reach out to Deputy Commissioner of Intergovernmental and Legislative Affairs Erin Drinkwater, drinkwatere@dss.nyc.gov .  

Contact for CBOs
If you have any questions or concerns about these changes, 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
Additional information
 
State Waivers 

As reported during our prior calls and in our previous communications, we have eliminated all requirements for HRA in-person appointments for clients and we will not take any adverse case actions if HRA clients do not keep previously scheduled appointments or assignments. This includes, but is not limited to, appointments for services such as with the Office of Child Support Services as well as appointments or assigned activities with Career Service providers.

Additionally, clients who would otherwise be required to recertify their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)/Food Stamps or Cash Assistance (CA) cases do not need to do so at this time. When recertification resumes, the agency will notify clients and community partners on this process.

We have submitted requests to the State and federal governments to waive signature requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program SNAP/Food Stamps and Cash Assistance (CA) to assist clients who need help from our staff or providers to apply through ACCESS HRA. We will keep you informed as these requests move forward. 

Medicaid

In New York City, all active cases will be extended. No Medicaid case will be closed for failure to renew or failure to provide documentation. The State has determined that any case that is closed for failure to renew or failure to provide documentation that had Medicaid coverage on or after March 18, 2020 will be re-opened with coverage restored to ensure no gap in coverage. Renewals will be extended for 12 months.

Former SSI recipients and any discontinued Temporary Assistance/Medicaid cases that require a separate Medicaid eligibility determination will have Medicaid coverage extended. No renewal is required to be sent at this time and no redeterminations are required at this time.

During the COVID-19 Emergency, New York City residents who are age 65 or over; living with a disability or blindness; in receipt of Medicare and are not a parent or caretaker relative of minor children; or are young adults under age 26 who were formerly in foster care are able to submit a Medicaid application via fax to 917-639-0732. 

All other applicants not in the categories listed above may submit an application via the NY State of Health at www.nystateofhealth.ny.gov   or by calling 1-855-355-5777. 


Apply for Cash Assistance Online
 
With a State waiver, we began accepting Cash Assistance (CA) applications online via ACCESS HRA on Friday, March 20. If you or anyone you know is new to this online resource, or needs a refresher, you can find a copy of our  user guide here . The interview portion of the CA application process is being conducted by telephone. Here is a  link to the flyer   for clients regarding the public benefits changes that we have described. 

ACCESS HRA and Document Upload

Clients applying for benefits should be opening a new account through ACCESS HRA and uploading documents through the ACCESS HRA mobile app. We are aware of problems that were experienced previously due to increased volume and these issues have been resolved. 

Center Consolidations and Closings

With our programs online and in order to protect clients and staff, we have consolidated our HRA Job, SNAP, and Medicaid Center locations. As a result of these consolidations, we are advising New Yorkers to apply for public benefits online at ACCESS HRA in order to prevent unnecessary visits to an HRA center. For clients who cannot or do not want to apply online, a list of Job, SNAP, and Medicaid center locations that will remain open can be found here:  Job ,  SNAP ,  Medicaid .
We have also consolidated HASA Center locations, and one HASA Center will remain open in each borough. Even though these offices are still open, clients do not need come into our offices as assistance can be obtained online and by telephone. For HASA clients who cannot or do not want to apply online, we strongly advise them to call the Service Line at (212) 971-0626 for help rather than traveling to an office.

For the most recent information about this and other changes, however, please visit our  website .

Moratorium on Evictions and Utility Shut-Offs

Along with elected officials, service providers, and advocacy organizations, we successfully advocated for a moratorium on evictions as well as utility shut-offs – both of which will avoid unnecessary visits to an HRA Center to apply for these emergency benefits.

CityFHEPS Renewals

City rental assistance (CityFHEPS) is being automatically renewed for all those eligible New Yorkers receiving it, so no one has to worry about reapplying. 

Home Visits 

For the safety of our clients and staff it is critical that HRA reduce contact with our most vulnerable clients by limiting home visits. If a client does require a home visit and is unable to use ACCESS HRA, a home visit can be made pending the client’s willingness to have a worker in their home. 
 
Home Visit Needed (HVN) clients are receiving regular wellness check-in calls from HRA staff. These client check-ins focus on COVID-related health issues as well as food insecurity. If a client may be experiencing symptoms of COVID, they are directed to call their treatment provider. If the client is experiencing food insecurity appropriate referrals are made for home delivered food as needed. New HVN requests indicating a food emergency are also receiving similar outreach to ensure food insecurity and wellness are being addressed. 

Food Resources

New York City is taking steps to make sure every New Yorker has access to the food they need. For individuals who are in need of support with meals and food, here are some resources that we want to be sure you are aware of:

  • Any New Yorker can receive three free meals a day at one of more than 400 Meal Hubs across the city. Find out more information here.

  • The City has created the GetFoodNYC food delivery program to provide food for coronavirus (COVID-19)-vulnerable and food-insecure New Yorkers not currently served through existing food delivery programs. Find out more information here.

  • If you are interested in the location a food pantry, please visit the Food Help NYC pantry locator. We recommend calling to ensure the particular location is open. We’ve provided all of our emergency food providers with information about grab and go meals and how to implement social distancing at food pantries.  
 
Shelter

We remain committed to ensuring that all New Yorkers experiencing homelessness have access to safe and secure shelter placements. Together with our network of providers, DHS is working hard to protect shelter residents and our shelter staff during this time. We will continue to communicate regularly to share guidance on shelter cleaning, social distancing, and isolating of clients who are showing symptoms. We have also taken the following steps, with more to come:

  • Stood up more than 700 isolation beds in commercial hotels for individuals with symptoms of COVID-19

  • First prioritized transfer of DHS clients aged 70 and older to commercial hotels, and now transferring additional clients in congregate shelters to commercial hotels 

  • Securing additional safe haven beds and drop-in centers

  • Streamlined the process for families applying for shelter by eliminating in-person appointments and conducting interviews by phone

Federal Stimulus Payments: Economic Impact Payments
 
On March 27th, 2020, the federal CARES Act authorized a one-time payment of $1,200 to certain individuals. While many people will receive their payments through direct deposit or mailed checks, those who were not required to file a federal income tax return for 2018 or 2019 will need to take additional steps. 
 
According to the  IRS , if you don’t file taxes, use the " Non-Filers: Enter Your Payment Info Here " application to provide information to receive your payment. You should use this application if:

  • You are a citizen or a non-citizen with a Social Security Number; 
  • You did not file a 2018 or 2019 federal income tax return because your gross income was under $12,200 ($24,400 for married couples). This includes people who had no income. Or
  • You weren’t required to file a 2018 or 2019 federal income tax return for other reasons.

If you receive the below benefits, the IRS already has your information and you will receive $1,200. If you have qualifying children under age 17, you can use the " Non-Filers: Enter Your Payment Info Here "  application to claim the $500 payment per child.

  • Social Security retirement, disability (SSDI), or survivor benefits
  • Railroad Retirement and Survivor Benefits

For more information, please visit the  IRS website .

SSI/SSD Recipient Stimulus Payments

SSI recipients with no qualifying children do not need to take any action in order to receive their $1,200 economic impact payment. The payments will be automatic.

SSI recipients who have qualifying children under age 17, however, should not wait for their automatic $1,200 individual payment. They should now go to the IRS’s webpage and visit the  Non-Filers: Enter Your Payment Info   section to provide their information. By taking proactive steps to enter information on the IRS website about them and their qualifying children, they will also receive the $500 per dependent child payment in addition to their $1,200 individual payment. If SSI beneficiaries in this group do not provide their information to the IRS soon, they will have to wait until later to receive their $500 per qualifying child.