May 17, 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

On Monday, May 10, the FDA expanded emergency use authorization of the Pfizer vaccine to include adolescents aged 12 to 15 years old. On Wednesday, May 12, the CDC approved and released guidelines for its use. Appointments or walk-up vaccines at Pfizer sites are now available for those age 12 and up.  
 
Governor Cuomo announced the State (SUNY) and New York City (CUNY) public university systems will require vaccinations for Fall 2021 in-person classes.
 
As a reminder, New York State is providing a separate allocation of 35,000 vaccines for the college student population at SUNY schools, CUNY schools, and private colleges. An initial allocation of 21,000 vaccines will be sent to SUNY and CUNY schools. An additional 14,000 vaccines will be available to private colleges that request them. SUNY and CUNY students can make appointments directly through their schools. More information is available here.
 
Drive-through Vaccinations are now available at Citi Field in Queens. The drive-thru site at Citi Field is located near the entrance to Gate 7 and will allow New Yorkers to get the vaccine without having to leave their vehicle. Appointments are required and can be made online at the City’s Vaccine Finder website or by calling 877-829-4692.
 
New Incentives to Get Vaccinated: On May 10, Mayor de Blasio and Governor Cuomo announced perks for those getting vaccinated: 

  • MTA will provide a free 7-day MetroCard or Free LIRR/Metro-North round trip ticket to people getting vaccinated at newly announced transit pop-up sites. 
  • The City will offer free tickets to the NYC Aquarium, Botanical Garden, Bronx Zoo, Cyclones games, NYC Ferry, and more. More details are coming soon. 
 
NYC Mobile Vaccine Buses continue to provide J&J vaccines in Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan and Queens. The full schedule of mobile vaccine locations can be found here. Walk-ups are welcome and you can also book in advance through the Vax4NYC website.
 
As a reminder, New Yorkers ages 12 years and older can continue to receive their COVID-19 vaccine without an appointment at select sites across NYC. Sites can be found here. New Yorkers are required to provide proof of age and residency in order to receive the vaccine. Additional information can be found here.
 
While walk-up vaccines are available at City operated vaccination sites, appointments can still be made by using vaccinefinder.nyc.gov.
 
The in-home vaccination program is continuing. Homebound New Yorkers interested in receiving an in-home vaccination can sign up at nyc.gov/homebound or by calling 1-877-VAX-4-NYC.

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.

COVID-19 Testing
 
Free testing continues to be available throughout the five boroughs. 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, which displays estimated wait times for NYC Health + Hospitals COVID-19 testing locations. This wait time information is updated by site staff every two hours.

Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) Office/Section 8 Vouchers
 
Starting on May 3, 2021, HPD’s Division of Tenant Resources’ Client Services office at 100 Gold Street has re-opened by appointment only. Appointments will be scheduled only when business may not be handled virtually or by phone. The most efficient way to reach HPD staff is by using email. Follow this link for HPD staff email addresses.
 
HPD has extended voucher terms:

  • Applicants and participant movers with vouchers that expired during the pandemic have been mailed notice of their extensions. Any Section 8 voucher holders with questions or concerns about their voucher status should reach out to the Division of Tenant Resources (DTR) at DTRInitials@hpd.nyc.gov.
  • Clients who need more time should submit a request for an extension within 30 days of their voucher expiration date. Requests will be reviewed on a case by case basis.
  • The Extension Request form may be uploaded to the DTR Portal or emailed to DTRInitials@hpd.nyc.gov for applicants or Portability@hpd.nyc.gov for participants that are moving or porting with their voucher.
 
SNAP, Cash Assistance and Medicaid Overpayment Cases
 
As we reported last week, billings for recovery of overpayments and repayable grants for SNAP, Cash Assistance and Medicaid remain stayed through July 20, 2021, which is the date of the current extension of the public health emergency. Where we are legally required to continue collection efforts and the case is approaching the Statute of Limitations, HRA is sending a payment request letter. Enforcement actions on judgments remains stayed until July 20, 2021.
 
New York State Homes and Community Renewal Waitlist Lottery
 
As we reported last week, the Section 8 Waitlist Lottery for New York State Homes & Community Renewal's New York City vouchers is open for applications from May 17th through May 28th, 2021. 
 
New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) operates a federally funded Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program in New York City. Income eligible applicants are selected to receive a voucher through a waitlist. That voucher provides a subsidy to ensure that recipients do not pay more than 30% of their adjusted gross income towards housing costs. 
 
Applicants will be able to apply using an online portal on HCR's website during the application period. A call center will be available to assist applicants. HCR will also be initiating an extensive and wide-ranging advertising campaign. Applying does not guarantee a voucher. HCR will select 15,000 households for the waitlist through a lottery. Those selected for the waitlist will be offered a voucher as one becomes available and will be subject to additional eligibility screening. There will be a preference for households experiencing homelessness/at risk households.

Citywide Right-to-Counsel for Tenants Facing Housing Court Eviction Proceedings
 
On May 11, 2021, Mayor de Blasio signed into law City Council Intro 2050A, which codified the accelerated speed and citywide scale of the HRA’s Office of Civil Justice’s implementation of the City’s right-to-counsel law and our commitment to provide all low-income tenants facing eviction with legal representation in Housing Court. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, OCJ has worked with legal services providers to ensure that low-income tenants who are facing eviction proceedings in Housing Court have access to free legal representation at or near their first appearance in court, regardless of their ZIP code. For more information about free legal services for New York City tenants in need, please visit HRA’s Office of Civil Justice at www.nyc.gov/rtc.   
 
NYS Eviction Protections for Tenants in Place Through August 31 – Hardship Declarations
 
As we reported previously, on May 4, 2021, the Governor signed legislation into law providing an extension through August 31, 2021, of eviction protections for tenants and occupants who have suffered financial hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic and have been unable to pay some or all of their rent, or for whom moving from their home during the pandemic would pose a hardship.
 
Tenants and occupants who complete and return a Hardship Declaration form may not be evicted until at least August 31, 2021, and they are able to prevent their landlord from filing or continuing an eviction proceeding until at least August 31, 2021.
 
Under the Emergency Protect Our Small Businesses Act of 2021 (passed on March 9, 2021), eviction and foreclosure protections are also extended to commercial tenants and mortgage holders.
 
Hardship declaration forms are available to download in 20 languages on the New York Courts website. The Hardship Declaration permits a tenant to declare hardship for:

  • loss of significant household income; or
  • increased expenses related to health impacts or essential work; or
  • increased child care or other family care expenses during the pandemic; or
  • inability to obtain meaningful employment because of circumstances relating to COVID-19; or
  • inability to afford to move or difficulty securing alternative housing making it a hardship to relocate to another home during the COVID-19 pandemic; or
  • vacating and moving would pose a significant health risk if the tenant or a member of the household is over 65 years of age or has a disability or underlying medical condition.

Tenants may proactively complete the Hardship Declaration and return it to their landlord whether or not a case is pending. Tenants may also email completed Hardship Declaration forms to the Housing Court account associated with the county in which the tenant’s eviction proceeding is taking place:
 
Bronx

Kings (Brooklyn)

New York (Manhattan)

Queens

Richmond (Staten Island)
 
The exception to this protection is in the event that the landlord is seeking eviction for causing an ongoing nuisance condition or presenting a substantial danger to the safety of other tenants. Tenants who are protected under this law are still responsible for all required rent, fees, penalties or interest under their lease.
 
Tenants with questions about their protections from eviction under New York State law can get free legal advice and other assistance through HRA’s Office of Civil Justice. For more information on how to access free legal services for tenants in NYC, you may contact the Tenant Helpline by calling 311 and asking for the Tenant Helpline, or visit HRA’s Office of Civil Justice here.
 
Right to Counsel NYC Coalition, Housing Justice for All, and JustFix.nyc have launched a website to help tenants submit their hardship declaration forms online. EvictionFreeNY.org provides an accessible, easy to use format that ensures tenants can take full advantage of the temporary protections provided by the State law. The provision of this information about these efforts is for informational purposes only and does not represent an endorsement by the City of New York.
 
SNAP and Cash Assistance Recertifications
 
We are no longer authorized to provide extensions for recertifications for SNAP and Cash Assistance, and therefore recertifications are resuming for all clients with cases due to recertify by July 31, 2021. Clients will begin receiving recertification notifications at the end of May and their ability to recertify will begin June 1, 2021.
 
Current Status of Waivers
 
The following waivers are currently in effect through June 30, 2021, and we are requesting extensions:

  • SNAP Partial Interview waiver.
  • Telephonic signature waiver for CA and SNAP applications and recertifications conducted over the phone by HRA staff, which can also be used for FHEPS applications.
  • Waiver to allow CA application and recertification interviews to be conducted by telephone.
  • Waiver so that no negative actions will be taken for failing to return the SNAP periodic report or Cash Assistance six-month mailers.
  • Waiver to allow drug and alcohol and DV screenings can continue to be conducted by phone.
 
The following remain in effect for the duration of the State eviction moratorium, currently extended through August 31:
 
  • Waiver of the eviction proceeding requirement for State FHEPS eligibility.
  • CityFHEPS court action waiver: for clients in the community in need of CityFHEPS assistance to remain in current housing, HRA is temporarily waiving the requirement for court action. In line with the State’s waiver for State FHEPS, a written rent demand or written threat of eviction, combined with a Hardship Declaration, may be used in lieu of court action when determining CityFHEPS eligibility.
 
One-Shot Deal Eligibility
 
As a reminder, eligibility for a One Shot Deal is not contingent on being sued for rent arrears. Please reference and share the One Shot Deal fact sheet that has been on our website here, which makes it clear that an eviction case is not required to receive a One Shot Deal. In September 2020, HPD shared this information with their citywide landlord contacts. Other limitations on the provision of these grants are set by State statute and regulations, including the repayment agreement requirement that we have asked the State to waive during the continuing public health emergency.
 
Federal Communication Commission (FCC) Emergency Broadband Benefit
 
As of May 12, 2021, qualified New York City residents may be eligible to receive a temporary discount for current or new monthly internet service subscriptions. This discount is available as part of the Federal Communications Commission’s Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB), a $3.2 billion dollar short-term emergency subsidy program during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Funds will be allocated to qualifying households on a first-come, first-serve basis for as long as funds last.
 
Eligible New York City residents can receive: 
  • Monthly Benefit: a discount of up to $50/month for broadband service, equipment, and device rentals.
  • One-time Device Discount: up to $100 for a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer (with a co-payment of $10 - $50), where available.
 
To learn more on how to sign up, visit the USAC website or call 833-511-0311. Additional information can also be found at the City’s website.
 
Paying Family Caregivers through Medicaid Programs – Webinar May 21, 2021
 
As we shared last week, the National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP) is hosting a webinar about Paying Family Caregivers through Medicaid. Programs that can pay family members for providing care can help support home and community-based care for Medicaid enrollees and help states address the demand for long-term services and supports. The webinar is on Friday, May 21 from 3:00pm - 4:00pm. Register and learn more here.
 
Office of Child Support Services (OCSS)
 
As we shared last week, HRA’s Office of Child Support Services has a new initiative so that noncustodial parents, regardless of their income, with orders payable to NYC DSS or the custodial parent now have the opportunity to work with an OCSS Customer Service representative to discuss and agree to a modification of their order in accordance with standard child support guidelines. OCSS Customer Service staff speak by phone to the noncustodial parent and/or custodial parent to draft an agreement and obtain supporting documents. The Office of Legal Affairs reviews the signed agreement, petition, and supporting documents. The approved stipulation package is filed in Court for a hearing to be scheduled. Typically, only one Court appearance is required for an Order on Consent. Noncustodial parents who are interested in participating in a stipulated agreement should email OCSS at dcse.cseweb@dfa.state.ny.us, entering “Stipulated Agreement” in the subject line and including in the email their name, child support account number, and a phone number where they can be reached.
 
The Family Court has begun scheduling hearings for establishment and modification petitions that have been filed. They will start scheduling the oldest first.

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 as well as new developments.

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