November 22, 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 on our DSS COVID-19 Community Updates page. We encourage you to use and share this link to answer questions on the many topics we have covered during the pandemic.
 
To be added to the invitations for the weekly briefing calls or to the distribution list for this weekly update, please send an email request to dssoutreach@dss.nyc.gov.
 
We appreciate your ongoing participation in these calls and continuing to raise important issues that we are able to address in this weekly communication of the latest information, which you can share with the clients you serve. We welcome your continued questions and comments in order to help us make sure we are providing the most relevant information and clarifications about the evolving public benefits and government services landscape affecting our shared clients. 
 
COVID-19 Vaccination Information

Taking an inclusive interpretation of the CDC’s vaccine booster guidance, the City of New York is now making vaccine booster shots available for all New Yorkers ages 18 and older.
 
No one will be denied a booster shot in New York City, as long as they are 18 or older and received their second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine at least six months ago, or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least two months ago.
 
The booster shot can be any of the three authorized or approved vaccines. Below are links to additional information:

 
As a reminder the Pfizer vaccine is now approved and available for children 5-11 years old in NYC. Children must have a parent or guardian's consent to get the vaccine.
The City has created several resources to provide useful information and help promote the vaccine for children ages 5-11:
 
 
Vaccination sites can be found at nyc.gov/vaccinefinder or by calling 877-VAX4-NYC. New Yorkers can also text their ZIP code to 438829 to receive information on vaccination sites near them, including what age groups can be served at each site.
 
There are now temporary sites in over 1,000 schools. School sites can be found on the DOE website. At this time, there are no plans to administer second vaccine doses at schools. Children must get their second vaccine three weeks after their first shot, and can do so at any participating provider.
 
For more information about vaccines and the vaccines for children, families can go to nyc.gov/covidvaccine and see this FAQ, or call 212-COVID19 with questions about the vaccine.
 
The NYC vaccine referral bonus program continues to be available to small businesses, restaurants, and civic organizations, including community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, and Parent-Teacher Associations. These are all eligible to receive a $100 vaccine referral bonus for each employee or customer who they refer to a City-run vaccine site for their first shot. The referred individual is still eligible to receive their own $100 bonus. To sign up for the program, businesses and organizations should use the same form we have previously shared, available here.
 
The City has created a vaccine fact sheet which can be found here, and is available in additional languages here.
 
Walk-up vaccines are available at most City-operated vaccination sites. To find the nearest walk-up site, or to schedule an appointment at a City-operated site, visit vaccinefinder.nyc.gov. NYC Mobile Vaccine Buses continue to provide vaccines. The full schedule of mobile vaccine locations can be found online here.
 
Flu vaccines are available at City-operated vaccination sites and can be administered at the same time as the COVID-19 vaccine. Locations can be found at the NYC Vaccine Finder website.

Vaccination and Testing Apps

New Yorkers can meet vaccine and/or testing requirements with:
 
  • CDC Vaccination Card. A digital photo or photocopy of this card is also acceptable.
  • NYC Vaccination Record or other official immunization record, including from a health care provider. A digital photo or photocopy of this card is also acceptable. If you are unable to get this record, call 311.
  • NYC COVID Safe App. Android. iOS. This app can be used to upload a photo of a vaccine card and/or a recent COVID test. The vaccine card will stay on the app unless removed, but test results will disappear from the app after seven days.
  • CLEAR Health Pass. Android. iOS. Individuals can use the digital vaccine card option in the CLEAR app if they are age 18 or older and are fully vaccinated.
  • NYS Excelsior Pass (or Excelsior Pass Plus). Allows an individual to find and store proof of vaccination right on their phone with a QR code, or to print out their QR code instead. New York residents who were vaccinated out of State can learn more about their options at the Excelsior Pass FAQ. The app, called NYS Excelsior Pass Wallet, is available for download on iPhone and Android phones.
 
Vaccine Records

Individuals who are fully vaccinated but have lost their COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card or need verification of their vaccine status can request a copy of their COVID-19 vaccination record. Individuals cannot get a replacement COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card at this time but can get an official record noting they have been vaccinated. For more information and to submit a request visit: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/services/cir-parents-guardians.page
 
Individuals can access all vaccine records, not just COVID 19 vaccines. Please visit the My Vaccine Record website.
 
COVID-19 Testing
 
Free in-home COVID PCR testing is available for all immunocompromised New Yorkers and people 65+. Call 929-298-9400 to schedule an appointment.
 
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.
 
NYS Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) Program Updates
 
State OTDA has announced that the total requests for ERAP assistance exceed the available federal funding for the program. State OTDA has further announced that the OTDA ERAP portal has closed as of November 14 at 10 pm and will not be accepting new applications at this time, with the exception of applicants with income between 80% - 120% of Area Median Income (AMI) for whom assistance will be paid with State funds. The Governor and OTDA have requested additional federal funding to meet the continuing need for help for tenants and landlords.
 
ERAP applications submitted prior to November 14, 2021 will be reviewed by the State OTDA and payment will depend on the availability of funds. New applications continue to be accepted for tenants with income between 80% and 120% of AMI for State-funded emergency rental assistance. For these benefits, apply on the State OTDA website here. The application is the regular ERAP application. There are screening questions at the beginning of the application that will be used to determine if the applicant is eligible to apply.

As a reminder, those who are at risk of eviction may be eligible for free legal assistance through HRA’s Office of Civil Justice. A link to the website will be provided in our weekly communication. (https://www1.nyc.gov/site/hra/help/legal-services-for-tenants.page).
 
To be notified of possible future opportunities to apply for the New York State ERAP Program, you can sign up sign up using this form. Note that OTDA has said that this is not a waitlist.
 
In an effort to make sure that all potential applicants are kept up to date on developments we:

  • Have instructed ERAP CBOs to counsel or assist individuals with navigating the OTDA portal so that they can complete the form to receive notification when it reopens.
  • Will ask ERAP CBOs to use existing case management systems to generate notification communications, should the portal reopen, for everyone who presents for ERAP assistance at this time.

As a reminder, ERAP is not administered by DSS/HRA. The OTDA call center can assist anyone who has questions about ERAP. The call center operates Monday through Saturday from 8 am – 7 pm. The primary number for the call center is 1-844-NY1-RENT (1-844-691-7368). Individuals with a hearing impairment can call 1-833-843-8829 (TTY phone number).
 
ERAP Utility Arrears

OTDA will soon begin administering payment to individuals who applied for utility arrears through ERAP. Additionally, OTDA is no longer requiring individuals to wait for a determination on their arrears applications before applying for HEAP and/or HEAP RAS programs. New Yorkers seeking assistance with utility payments can apply for HEAP using the LDSS-3421 application form. The form can be downloaded here or you may call 212-331-3126 to request an application. Completed applications may be dropped off at any HRA Job Center or mailed to:
 
NYC DSS/HRA/HEAP
P.O. Box 1401
Church Street Station
New York, NY 10008
 
Individuals may also apply at any of the six designated HRA Job Centers or four community assistance sites (see HEAP Eligibility section below for locations).
 
Landlord Rental Assistance Program

The Landlord Rental Assistance Program (LRAP) stopped accepting applications on November 20, 2021 at 5pm. Property owners who already submitted a complete application may still access their account and upload any required documentation. For assistance or more information, please visit https://otda.ny.gov/programs/landlord-rental-assistance/ or contact OTDA by phone at 844-NY1RENT (844-691-7368) or (TTY) 1-833-843-8829.
 
Appealing an ERAP Determination
 
An ERAP determination is an approval or denial of an ERAP application. A “provisional approval” and a “180-day notice” are notices that an applicant might receive, but they are not ERAP determinations. Once an individual receives an ERAP determination, they have thirty (30) days from the date on their ERAP determination notification to request an appeal.
 
If a tenant or landlord/owner disagrees with all or part of their ERAP application determination, they can file an appeal by phone or online. 


After filing their appeal, the applicant will get a written Confirmation Notice from OTDA via email or regular mail, confirming that their appeal was received and that if they choose to provide additional documentation to support their appeal, they must do so within ten days. Instructions on how to add documentation to an appeal are available here.
 
Applications undergoing an appeal are considered pending until a further determination is made.
 
For additional support submitting an appeal, applicants can contact OTDA by phone at 844-NY1RENT (844-691-7368) or TTY 1-833-843-8829, or contact a community-based organization that is providing ERAP support to NYC tenants and landlords. The list of community-based organizations is available here.
 
More information about ERAP and appealing an ERAP determination is available here.
 
ERAP Determinations for One-Shot Deal/Emergency Assistance Applications
 
In accordance with this State OTDA’s determination, as of Monday, November 15, 2021 an ERAP application and determination is no longer required to apply for a One-Shot Deal. Those who applied for ERAP before the portal closed on November 14, 2021 will need to provide proof of submission of an ERAP application and determination with an application for emergency assistance, in accordance with State requirements. 
 
ACCESS HRA System Updates
 
The following ACCESS HRA updates went live on Saturday, November 20th, 2021:

  • Updates to request grants as part of a CA application and recertification
  • Clients will now have the ability to request the following grants as part of their Cash Assistance application or recertification:
  • Pay moving costs
  • Pay for storage
  • Pay for home repairs
  • Pay for disaster-related furniture or clothing replacement

  • Gender Identity will now be asked for household members in CA applications
  • Clients submitting a Cash Assistance application, Cash Assistance recertification, or Cash Assistance case change will now have the ability to report the gender identity for all household members on their case.

  • Auto Opt-in for Text Messages for SNAP and CA cases
  • Clients will be auto opted-in for SNAP and CA text message alerts regarding their case. Clients can update their contact preferences within the ACCESS HRA profile page at any time to opt-out of text message notifications.

  • Updates to indicate mailing address and residence address are the same
  • Clients who indicate their mailing address is the same as their residence address can do so on the ‘Residence Address’ page in the SNAP and CA applications, skipping the ‘Mailing Address’ page. This update will now be added to all modules: SNAP recertification, periodic report, and case change, and CA recertification.
 
Medicaid Easements
 
Medicaid easements have been extended through January 2022. This includes the automatic extension for cases with an authorization that ends in January 2022, even if the client does not submit their renewal. These cases will be extended for 12 months.

Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Increase Details
 
In response to questions received on our most recent weekly community call, we are providing a recap below of information previously shared on the SNAP Emergency Allotment, the SNAP Supplement, and the recent permanent SNAP increase approved by the Biden Administration;
 
Emergency Allotments:

Beginning in March 2020, SNAP benefits have been supplemented with emergency allotments each month, so that households that were not receiving the maximum benefit for their household size began receiving a supplement to bring them to that level. In April 2021, the emergency allotment amounts were modified so that the minimum monthly SNAP emergency allotment was $95, even for households already receiving the maximum benefit allotment. Households that previously would have received a supplement of less than $95 began receiving a supplement of at least $95. For households receiving a supplement of greater than $95, this policy change did not affect the amount of the supplement received. For households receiving supplements greater than $95, the supplement continued to be the difference between the amount the household was issued and the maximum benefit amount for the household size. 
 
As an example, if the maximum allotment for a household is $430 and the household received $370, the supplement is $95 rather than $60 (as it would have been earlier during the pandemic). But if the maximum allotment for the household is $430 and the household received $320, the supplement remains at $110.
 
These emergency allotments are scheduled to continue for one month beyond the end of the federal public health emergency. The public health emergency is currently set to end in January 2022.
 
The emergency SNAP supplement is being issued to households even if their SNAP case closed during the month of issuance. Further information is available here.
 
SNAP Temporary Supplement:

Beginning in January 2021, the maximum SNAP benefit amount was increased temporarily by 15%, and this temporary increase expired on September 30, 2021.
 
Permanent SNAP Increase:

Effective October 1, 2021, permanent changes to the Thrifty Food Plan (that the US Department of Agriculture uses to calculate SNAP benefits) went into effect, resulting in a sizeable increase in the maximum benefit amounts by household size.
 
The 15% temporary increase ended as of September 30, 2021. Until the emergency allotments end (these are being extended monthly and are expected to end one month after the end of the declaration of the Public Health Emergency which was recently extended to January 15, 2022), both emergency allotments and the permanent SNAP increase will be in effect. After the emergency allotments are no longer being issued, the permanent SNAP increase will remain in effect. For some individuals and families, the continuing increase may be less than the temporary increase coupled with the maximum allotment amount that was received during the pandemic. 
 
Please refer to this chart for additional details about the federal changes.
 
Updated SNAP Standards:

The updated SNAP standards that went into effect on October 1, 2021 can be found here. 
 
The new Federal Poverty Limit (FPL) thresholds effective October 1, 2021 can be found at the end of this communication.

Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) Regular Arrears Supplement (RAS)
 
As we have reported previously, the State HEAP RAS is a one-time benefit funded with the HEAP appropriation received under the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. This benefit is available to help pay gas and/or electricity utility arrears and will be available through September 30, 2022 or until funding is exhausted, whichever occurs first.
 
The application for the State HEAP Regular Arrears Supplement (RAS) is the regular HEAP application in conjunction with the HEAP RAS worksheet. The RAS worksheet is completed by HRA staff. Clients who apply for regular HEAP benefits for the 2021/22 season will receive a phone interview. The RAS worksheet will be completed at that time.
 
Applicants are required to complete the regular HEAP application (and the RAS worksheet which will be completed during their interview) under any one of the following circumstances:

  • Did not receive a regular HEAP benefit this season (2021/22 HEAP season);
  • Moved since receiving their HEAP benefit;
  • Closed Cash Assistance or SNAP case since receiving regular HEAP benefit.
 
These applicants must first complete a new HEAP application and be found HEAP eligible in order to receive the RAS benefit. 
 
Clients who need to submit an application for HEAP can do so as follows:

  • Apply in-person at one of the 6 designated HRA Job Centers or 4 community assistance sites (please see HEAP Eligibility section below);
  • Download an application here or call 212-331-3126 to request an application. 
  • Mail a completed LDSS-3421 to NYC DSS/HRA/HEAP; PO Box 1401, Church Street Station, New York, NY 10008
  • Drop off a completed LDSS-3421 at any HRA Job Center.
 
HEAP applicants will be required to have an interview, which, due to COVID-19 restrictions, will be conducted by telephone. Applicants will receive a call from an HRA worker to conduct the eligibility interview for HEAP and RAS, if also applying for RAS. Existing HEAP recipients (those with an open HEAP, CA or SNAP case, who haven’t moved) applying for RAS do not need to have a telephone interview; they just need an HRA worker to complete an RAS worksheet for them.
 
The one-time benefit is based on the actual amount of current utility arrears, up to a maximum of $10,000 per applicant household. Benefits are paid directly to the household’s gas and/or electric utility vendor(s), and only one RAS benefit per current electricity and/or gas account is permitted.
 
Households may be eligible if:

  • Heat is natural gas or electricity;
  • Income is at or below the current income guidelines as posted in this table or the applicant receives Family Assistance, Safety Net Assistance, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP) or Code A Supplemental Security Income;
  • All of the eligibility criteria to receive a Regular HEAP benefit in the current program year has been met;
  • The applicant must be the customer of record for the electricity and/or gas account(s), or must document that they pay the utility vendor(s) directly for the bill(s);
  • The vendor is paid directly for gas and/or electricity usage; and
  • The current gas and/or electricity account(s) is/are in active collection, or otherwise facing disconnection or termination due to unpaid arrears.
 
Note that there is no resource test for the RAS benefit and arrears for domestic electricity do not have to be heat related. When and why the arrears accrued will not impact eligibility. The RAS can be awarded for both an electricity and a gas account for a single household. 
 
Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) Eligibility
 
In response to questions received on our most recent weekly call, below is a recap of information previously provided on HEAP eligibility:
 
Recipients of HEAP benefits may receive one regular HEAP benefit per program year to help pay for heating costs. Eligibility and benefits are based on income, household size, the primary heating source, and the presence of a household member who is under age 6, is age 60 or older or has a permanent disability. Regular benefits for households that pay directly for heat based on actual usage are paid directly to the vendor that supplies the household's primary source of heat. HEAP recipients can use HEAP approval letters as documentation to support Con Ed reduced rate programs and Verizon Lifeline.  
 
A household may be eligible for a regular benefit if:

  • Clients and/or household members are United States Citizens or qualified immigrants;
  • The household's gross monthly income is at or below the current income guides; or
  • The applicant is in receipt of:
  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or
  • Temporary Assistance or
  • Code A Supplemental Security Income (SSI Living Alone)
 
To apply, please contact 212-331-3126 or visit the ACCESS HRA website for instructions here. HEAP applications are available for download here. Please note, the HEAP application can be downloaded from ACCESS HRA, but cannot be submitted through ACCESS HRA at this time. All HEAP applications need to be completed, signed by the applicant or their authorized representative and returned by mail or dropped off at a designated HEAP assistance location. There is no need to come into a Center. The completed application can be mailed back to HRA at:
 
NYC DSS/HRA/HEAP
PO Box 1401
Church Street Station
New York, NY 10008
 
Applicants can check on the status of a HEAP application by calling the State OTDA Helpline at 800-342-3009.

HEAP Application Assistance
 
While there is no need to come into an HRA Center to apply for HEAP, HRA has representatives providing HEAP application assistance to potential clients in six designated HRA Job Centers and in four community sites. These representatives provide assistance with completing applications and will forward applications to the HEAP central office for processing. Individuals applying for benefits can also drop off applications and documents at these locations.

The designated HRA sites are listed below (open Monday – Friday 9 am – 5 pm, with the exception of City holidays):

Waverly Job Center
12 W. 14th Street
4th floor
New York, NY 10011

Coney Island Job Center
3050 West 21st Street
Brooklyn, NY 11214

Rider Job Center
300 Canal Place
Bronx, NY 10451
 
Crotona Job Center
1910 Monterey Avenue
5th floor
Bronx, NY 10457
 
Queens Job Center
32-20 Northern Boulevard
(enter on Honeywell Street)
2nd floor
Long Island City, NY 11101
 
Richmond Job Center
201 Bay Street
2nd floor
Staten Island, NY 10301

HRA representatives are also located in the following community locations:

Boro Park Jewish Community Council (Tuesdays and Wednesdays 9 am – 5 pm)
1310 46th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11219
 
Margert Community Council (Mondays 9 am – 5 pm)
325 Beach 37th
Far Rockaway, NY 11691
 
Assemblyman Ron Kim's Office (Wednesdays and Thursdays 9 am – 5 pm)
136-20 38th Avenue, Suite 10A
Queens, NY 11354
 
State Senator Leroy Comrie's Office (Tuesdays and Thursdays 9 am – 5 pm)
113-14 Farmer's Boulevard
Queens, NY 11412
 
Emergency Assistance for Families (EAF) Eligibility  
 
In response to questions received on our weekly community call, below we have outlined eligibility criteria for Emergency Assistance for Families (EAF). EAF is a federally funded program dedicated to meeting the emergency needs of families with children. Applicants who need emergency assistance with rent arrears or utility arrears may be eligible for an EAF/One-Shot Deal payment to prevent eviction or foreclosure, or utility disconnect. HRA will evaluate households for EAF eligibility at the time of application for emergency assistance or a rental subsidy program.  

  • The applicant household must contain EITHER
  • An individual with a medically verified pregnancy;
  • OR a child under the age of 18;
  • OR an individual age 18 and attending full-time secondary school or the equivalent level of vocational or technical training
  • The child must be currently living with an adult related by blood, marriage, or adoption
  • The child, parents, or other eligible relatives must be without immediately accessible resources necessary for meeting their needs, and those needs cannot be met by an advance allowance
  • The child must be requiring emergency assistance to provide living arrangements for them in a home
  • The emergency could not have been foreseen by the applicant and was not under their control

Financial Eligibility for EAF

  • Gross available income of the applicant on the date of application must be at or below 200% of the poverty level for that household size
  • These standards DO NOT apply to households receiving child protective, child preventative, or any other child welfare services paid for under EAF (such households must, however, include one member in receipt of CA or SSI and/or SSP at the time of EAF determination)
  • The applicant must be without the resources to meet the emergency need (income, money on hand, bank accounts, etc.)
 
Individuals can file an application for emergency assistance/One-Shot Deal and/or get more information using ACCESS HRA.
 
Repayment and EAF

If a household is found eligible for EAF, they may still be required to repay a portion of the EAF grant. If rent arrears exceed the monthly shelter allowance for public assistance, then the excess portion of the grant is subject to repayment. Utility arrears paid with EAF may be recoverable if the household’s gross monthly income on the date of repayment is more than the monthly standard of need for public assistance.
Emergency assistance grants /One-Shot Deals are also available for single adults and childless couples. 
 
Applying for an Emergency Assistance Grant (One-Shot Deal)
 
Below are instructions for applying for Cash Assistance/Emergency Grants (One-Shot Deal) through ACCESS HRA. We encourage  providers and advocates to sign up for an ACCESS HRA ​provider training webinar for additional information on using our online tools​, including how to apply for an emergency grant (One-Shot Deal). View the webinar options.
 
To apply for Cash Assistance or a one-time emergency grant (One Shot Deal), clients will need to take the following steps:

  1. Visit ACCESS HRA and log-in
  2. Select the 'Benefits' link from the menu options on the homepage
  3. Select 'Start a New Application'
  4. Select the 'Cash Assistance' option in the 'Select Application' page
  5. Identify any applicable emergency indicators and click 'Next'
  6. Select the type of benefits you would like to apply for. The three options are: Cash AssistanceOne Shot Deal, or Child Care without Cash Assistance (CILOCA). If the need is for emergency assistance and ongoing assistance, select the Cash Assistance option.
  7. Complete and submit the application
  8. Follow instructions in the ACCESS HRA confirmation page and submit required documents using the ACCESS HRA Mobile App
 
Clients with an active Cash Assistance case can submit a special grant request for things like rent or utility arrears via ACCESS HRA. To submit a Cash Assistance Special Grant Request, clients will need to:

  1. Visit ACCESS HRA and log-in
  2. Enter identifying information to 'Find My Case' and link to HRA case
  3. Select 'View Case' in the ACCESS HRA user home page
  4. Select 'Request Special Grant,' located on the left-hand side
  5. Identify the special grant being requesting, complete the request and submit
  6. Follow instructions in confirmation and submit required documents using the ACCESS HRA Mobile App
 
All applications and requests for emergency assistance are evaluated on an individual case-by-case basis.
 
One Shot Deal (OSD) – Repayment and Appeals
 
Not all emergency grants require repayment. As part of the application process, if rent arrears or utility arrears are identified, clients are asked to sign a State-required repayment agreement at the time of application in ACCESS HRA. We do so because when the application is initially filed, HRA does not know which category of assistance the client will ultimately be eligible for, and we want to avoid the delay of having to ask clients to sign the State-required repayment agreement at the end of the process when an eligibility decision has been made and time is of the essence to prevent an eviction or maintain/restore utility services. In order to make this clear to clients during the application process, we have included the below clarifying information to the grant applications:
 
"Please note that you will have to review and e-sign the repayment agreement before submitting your application. Not all emergency grants require repayment. If you are eligible for a grant, the notice you receive will let you know whether or not you need to repay."
 
In particular, clients receiving SSI are not required to repay emergency grants. Clients eligible for Emergency Assistance to Needy Families (EAF) may be required to repay a portion of their EAF grant. Other clients may also be eligible for non-recoupable rent arrears or utility arrears payments under State law. These determinations are made upon review of the full application.
 
Although we requested a waiver due to the COVID public health emergency, to date, there have been no State easements regarding the repayment of One-Shot Deals (OSD). The repayment of OSD's is mandated at 12 months for payments related to shelter, and 24 months for payments related to utilities.
 
Clients who believe they fall into a category in which they should not be required to repay their OSD – even if the determination is that they are required to pay – can request a State fair hearing. Clients who received an OSD for an amount that differed from their requested amount are also entitled to a State fair hearing. However, repayment schedules and amounts for OSD's are set by State statute and cannot be addressed by a fair hearing.
 
Non-Citizen Eligibility for HRA Benefits Quick Facts
 
In response to questions regarding immigrant eligibility for benefits, we are sharing the information below. This information has been shared previously and is always available on the DSS COVID-19 Community Updates page on our website.
 
  • All ​New Yorkers are encouraged ​to apply for benefits​, regardless of immigration status or perceived immigration status.
  • Non-citizen parents ARE able to apply for their ​US citizen children
  • A Social Security number/card is NOT a requirement for applying for benefits.
  • Clients do NOT need to be Legal Permanent Residents (LPRs) to qualify for benefits. Many different immigration statuses allow for certain benefits eligibility. Each case is assessed individually and in consideration of all available documents and information.
  • HRA provides language services for any language a client may need (including sign language), so all clients are welcome and encouraged to apply for benefits regardless of their preferred language.
  • DSS produces documents in the following 12 languages: Arabic, Bengali, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, English, French, Haitian Creole, Korean, Polish, Russian, Spanish, and Urdu. Clients can use Access HRA to change their preferred written language indicator for City notices. Note that this does not include State notices.
  • When submitting a benefits application, clients should include any and all documents that they think may be relevant to their immigration status. This includes documents​ that are expired and documents issued from other countries. 
  • Copies of documents should be legible and complete, including front and back of cards, forms, and passports (including blank pages of passports).
  • If clients do not have their immigration documents or have concerns relating to public charge, they should contact ActionNYC at 1-800-354-0365 or call 311 and say "ActionNYC" for further assistance, including legal assistance.
  • Resources providing an overview of non-citizen benefits eligibility can be found at the following websites:
  • Cash Assistance and SNAP: https://otda.ny.gov/programs/publications/4579.pdf
  • Medicaid: https://www.health.ny.gov/health_care/medicaid/publications/docs/gis/21ma14_att1.pdf
  • https://www.nyic.org/immigrant-eligibility-for-public-benefits-chart/
  • However, we encourage clients to apply for benefits regardless of immigration status and to allow HRA to make the benefits eligibility determination
  • If you have any concerns that an error has been made in a client’s benefits eligibility related to their immigration status, please contact the Office of Refugee and Immigrant Affairs (ORIA) at oria@dss.nyc.gov for assistance.

SNAP Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS) Updates

SNAP No Change IVRS transitioned from ‘end of life infrastructure’ to a new platform during the week of November 15th. Below are some of the benefits clients who are eligible for this IVRS can expect: 

  • Expanded client population;  
  • Clients age 55 years and over or disabled will have access to the automated IVRS system to complete their recertification process (before only those ages 60 and over were eligible). 
  • The automated recertification option will remain available two weeks longer than current, aligning it with AHRA and the on-demand interview recertification timeframes. 
  • Clients will now be able to report changes to their shelter expenses on the IVR, without needing to complete an interview.  
  • In addition to touch dial, voice recognition will also be available. Callers will now be able to speak their selection on the phone. 
  • In accordance with Local Law 30, the new IVRS is available in 12 languages: English, Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Bengali, Russian, Haitian-Creole, Arabic, Polish, French, Urdu, and Korean. 
  • For those transitioning from NYSNIP to NYSCAP, the clients can report their shelter type, shelter amount, and SUA level on the IVRS directly, thereby reducing document return and potentially increasing benefit levels for clients 
  • An automated HEAP match will be run where applicable to establish SUA levels without requiring client input.  
  • Automated mailing of the simplified recertification form (LDSS-5166) is available to callers at any point during the IVRS call if they need to report a change to their case. 
  • Clients eligible for the SNAP automated recertification will receive a notice in the mail informing them of the availability of this option during their recertification period. The IVRS is available at 866-761-8357 and is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  
 
SNAP Eligibility for Children Receiving Social Security Income (SSI)
 
In response to a question received on our weekly community call, we want to clarify how SNAP eligibility would be determined for a child in receipt of SSI. A child receiving SSI would not be eligible for their own SNAP case but would be considered a mandatory household member with their parent/guardian. Both the SSI income and the income of their parents/guardians would be included in the budgeting and eligibility determination for their household.
 
Requesting a Replacement EBT Card
 
In response to questions received on our weekly call, we are sharing the below information which can also be found on our website:
 
If an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card is lost, stolen, or damaged, clients may request a replacement card from the State online, by telephone, or in person.
 
Online: Visit https://www.connectebt.com/nyebtclient and log-in to the Client Portal
Telephone: Call NYS EBT Customer Service at 1-888-328-6399
In-Person: Visit the Brooklyn HRA Over-the-Counter site at 227 Schermerhorn Street.

The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM – 5 PM.
 
If an EBT card is lost or stolen, it must be reported to NYS EBT Customer Service right away at 1-888-328-6399 to disable the old card.
 
Replacement cards requested online or by telephone will be mailed to the address on record in 7 to 10 business days.
 
Authentication Request for HRA/DHS Contractors
 
  • All HRA and DHS contractors have received or will be receiving an email request from the DSS Office of Data Security Management (email address is datasecurity@dss.nyc.gov) requesting confirmation of their contact information. This request originates with DSS and it is safe to respond. Recipients will have 10 days from the date the email request is received to respond. 
 
Right-to-Counsel/Universal Access Legal Services Progress Report
 
New York City’s Right to Counsel law is implemented citywide, regardless of zip code. All tenants appearing in eviction proceedings in New York City Housing Court and in NYCHA termination proceedings have access to free legal services provided by nonprofit legal services organizations supported by HRA’s Office of Civil Justice (OCJ). For more information, New Yorkers can visit OCJ’s website at www.nyc.gov/rtc or call 311 and ask for the City’s Tenant Helpline.
 
HRA’s Office of Civil Justice has released the 2021 Right-to-Counsel/Universal Access to Legal Services Progress Report. The report may be found here.
 
Enhancements to IDNYC Online Portal
 
We have made the following enhancements to the Online IDNYC Portal to improve the user experience by providing clients with the ability to renew IDNYC cards and update some of their information online without having to visit an enrollment center. This new functionality allows users to:

  • Check their application status online
  • Create and manage in-center appointments
  • Submit applications online for renewal and/or update applications
  • Upload documents for online applications

Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP)
 
NYS OTDA recently announced the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) to help New Yorkers pay overdue water and wastewater bills. Applications will be available on the OTDA website beginning in December 2021 and can be submitted online or by mail. More information can be found here.

Benefits are based on the amount of unpaid water and wastewater bills owed by applicants and could go as high as $2,500 for each service. LIHWAP benefits are based on the actual amount of drinking water and/or wastewater arrears, up to a maximum of $2,500 per drinking water or wastewater provider, or $5,000 if drinking water and wastewater services are combined, per household. Benefits are paid directly to the household’s drinking water and/or wastewater vendor(s).

Eligibility and benefits are based on household income, household size, that a household includes a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or qualified alien, and amount owed to drinking water and/or wastewater provider(s).

Applicants will be required to provide the following documentation with their application:

  • Proof of identity for the primary applicant.
  • A valid Social Security Number for the primary applicant.
  • Proof of residence.
  • A drinking water, wastewater, or combined drinking water and wastewater bill listing your permanent and primary residence.
  • Documentation of income for the primary applicant.

 
For more information on household protections from water service shut-offs, view the COVID-19 Moratorium on Utility and Municipal Shutoffs.

Community-wide Conference Call
 
We appreciate your continued participation on 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. 

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