October 27, 2022


Dear Community Partner:

                                          

Thank you for your partnership in our shared commitment to serve New Yorkers in need. We hope that this communication, as well as the community-wide conference calls, continues to serve as an important platform to share information and answer your questions. We will continue our work toward the shared goal of fighting poverty, income inequality, and addressing homelessness in our city with care and compassion for our clients, staff, and provider partners.  

 

As a reminder, please reach out to DSS Outreach at DSSoutreach@dss.nyc.gov to be added to the list of invitees for the community-wide call and sign up here be added to the distribution list for this weekly communication. Our next monthly briefing call with be on Tuesday, November 29th at 4pm.

 

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. 

 

Monthly DSS Community Call

 

Please find link below to a recording of our last community call held on Tuesday, October 18th. Links to all of the calls we’ve held since April 2020 can be found on our Community Updates webpage. If you are not on the list to receive invitations to the monthly call, please contact DSSoutreach@dss.nyc.gov.

 

Access the audio recording here.

Passoword: Covid-19

 

Extension of Covid-19 Public Health Emergency


The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has again extended the Covid-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE). The PHE which had been previously extended until October 13, 2022 was extended for an additional 90 days.


The Covid-19 PHE, which was initially declared on January 31, 2020, has been renewed in 90-day increments. HHS will provide states with 60 days notice of its intent to terminate the PHE declaration for Covid-19. 


Waiver Extensions

 

As a result of the extension of the PHE, certain OTDA waivers have been extended. The waiver permitting New Yorkers to submit SNAP and Cash Assistance applications and recertifications by telephone with HRA staff, will now be extended. In order to submit an application by telephone, applicants should reach out to Infoline to be referred for assistance.

 

The following waivers are also extended through the same time frame:

 

  • Domestic violence waivers;
  • Enabling districts with local procedures or other processes that require frequent contact with individuals experiencing homelessness and residing in emergency housing to conduct these contacts via phone, with reduced frequency, as appropriate for the population; and,
  • Allowing temporary modifications to previously approved Case Supervisor Review (CSR) plans.


The extension of the PHE also means that the temporary changes to SNAP student eligibility should be extended up to 30 days after the termination of the PHE.


Billing for One-Shot Deal repayments will also remain suspended as a result of the extension of the PHE.


Information for Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (M/WBEs)


The Department of Social Services, Human Resources Administration, and Department of Homeless Services believe that the City’s Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (M/WBEs) represent key partners in meeting the mission of our work. The value of M/WBEs to our program, and to the communities we serve, extends beyond their participation on our contracts to the jobs, local investments, and intergenerational wealth they bring to the City’s economy.


We invite our Non-Profit Providers and Community-Based Organization partners to join us in our commitment to engage M/WBEs in providing goods and services to New Yorkers in need. Please reach out to our agency M/WBE Program Team at mwbe@dss.nyc.gov for more information as well as direct support in connecting with M/WBEs. If you think you are an M/WBE, are interested in becoming certified, or are working with a business that may qualify, please visit our agency M/WBE Resource Page for more information by clicking here: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/hra/business/mwbes.page


Medicaid Easements and Application Updates 


As a reminder, Medicaid easements have been extended through January 2023. This includes the automatic extension for cases with an authorization that ends in January through January 2023 even if the client doesn't submit their renewal. Medicaid clients scheduled to renew a case that had or has an authorization end date in March 2020 through December 2022 automatically had or will have their Medicaid coverage extended for 12 months, even if the renewal is not returned. 


The NYS Department of Health is not sending notices to these Medicaid clients to let them know that their Medicaid coverage has been extended. 


Any case that is closed during the COVID-19 emergency for failure to renew or failure to provide documentation will be re-opened and coverage restored to ensure no gap in coverage. 

 

Social Security Administration (SSA) Benefit Increase for 2023


On Thursday, October 13th, the Social Security Administration (SSA) announced an 8.7 percent benefit increase for 2023. Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which benefits approximately 70 million Americans, will see an increase of 8.7 percent in their benefit payments beginning in January 2023.


Social Security and SSI beneficiaries are normally notified by mail starting in early December about their new benefit amount. Recipients can also find out new benefit amount by accessing the My Social Security account to view the cost-of-living (COLA) notice online. 

 

Mayor’s Office Week In Review – October 1 -7


The Mayor’s office is happy to share the weekly Week In Review highlighting some of the work that is being done by this administration. Stay tuned for additional updates.

 

SNAP Emergency Allotments


As it has in previous months, the State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) will issue an emergency SNAP supplement to households who are issued SNAP benefits for October 2022. The emergency allotment will be the difference between their budgeted allotment and the maximum allotment for their household size or $95, whichever is greater. Further information is available here. As a reminder, these benefits are not on a regular schedule. If clients want to know when their emergency SNAP allotments are available, they can check their available SNAP balance at https://otda.ny.gov/workingfamilies/ebt/.

 

These emergency allotments are scheduled to continue for one month beyond the end of the federal public health emergency (now extended for an additional 90 days from October 13, 2022)


Medicare Open Enrollment and Changes for 2023


The Medicare Open Enrollment period commenced on Saturday, October 15 and remains open through December 7, 2022. Medicare’s Open Enrollment period gives people with Medicare the opportunity to make changes to their health plan or prescription drug plan, pick a Medicare Advantage plan, or return to Original Medicare (also referred to as Medicare Part A and Part B). Medicare plans can change their offerings and costs every year. Now is the time for people with Medicare to review their coverage options and make a choice that best meets their health care needs. Additional information and links for assistance can be found here. To enroll visit here.


There are several important changes for Medicare recipients in 2023, more information about these changes can be found here.


  • The Medicare Plan B standard monthly premium is decreasing from $170.10 to $164.90.
  • The Part B deductible is decreasing to $226.
  • The Part B premium income brackets have been adjusted. For example, they have been increased to $97,000 for an individual and $194,000 for married couples. This is up from $91,000 and $182,000 respectively. Adjusted income brackets can be found here.
  • While there are still six income brackets, very high earners starting at $500,000 for individuals and $750,000 for married couples will pay a higher Part B premium in 2023.


Changes to IDNYC and Fair Fares Application Requirements


Effective August 26, 2022, both IDNYC and Fair Fares NYC have modified their documentation requirements at initial eligibility to accommodate the incoming population of non-citizens from the southern border. This adjustment takes into account the potential for missing documentation and as a result identifies additional forms of proof which will be accepted as 1-point documents to establish identity. The following documents will now be able to be used as additional forms of proof:


U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Notice to Appear

Notice to Appear issued by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), dated no more than one year prior to the date submitted and including complete name, file number, and official stamp/signature. May be issued by U.S ICE as Form I-862. Document will serve as proof of identity.

 

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Alien Booking Record

Alien Booking Record (or booking card) issued by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), dated no more than one year prior to the date submitted and including complete name, photo, and fingerprint. May be issued by U.S. ICE as Form I-385. Document will serve as proof of identity and photo, if photo is included.

 

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Order to Release on Recognizance

Order to Release on Recognizance issues by U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), dated no more than one year prior to the date submitted and including complete name, file number, and official stamp/signature. May be issued by U.S. ICE as Form 1-220A. Document will serve as proof of identity.

 

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Order of Supervision

Order of Supervision issued by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), dated no more than one year prior to the date submitted and including complete name, file number, and official stamp/signature. May be issued by U.S ICE as Form I-220B. Document will serve as proof of identity.

 

Foreign Birth Certificate (copy)

A copy of a certificate of birth issued by a current of former sovereign nation may be accepted as proof of identity only if accompanied by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) document accepted by IDNYC/Fair Fares. Copy must be legible/readable.

 

Foreign Passport (copy)

A copy of a foreign passport may be accepted as proof of identity and photo only if accompanied by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) document accepted by IDNYC/Fair Fares. Copy must be legible/readable.


HEAP 2022-2023 Opening Dates

 

The regular HEAP season opens on November 1, 2022. More information including 2022-23 benefit amounts and eligibility requirements can be found here.


The Emergency HEAP Benefit opens on January 1, 2023. The Emergency HEAP Benefit provides assistance to those who are in a heat related emergency. More information including 2022-23 benefit amounts and eligibility requirements can be found here.


The opening date for the 2022-2023 Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement (HERR) and Heating Equipment Clean and Tune (C&T) was Monday, October 3rd. Applications are now being accepted. Benefits will be provided on a first come, first serve basis to eligible applicants through September 29, 2023, or until funding is exhausted.


Please find more information about HERR here. More information about C&T can be found here


SNAP and Cash Assistance Resource Limit Increases


Resource limit amounts for Cash Assistance applicants and participants has been revised. Effective October 1, 2022, the liquid resource limits are:


  • $10,000 for participant households
  • $3,750 for applicant households in which at least one member is elderly (60 years or older) or disabled
  • $2,500 for all other applicant households


For SNAP, the resource limits have been increased as follows:


  • $4,250 for households that contain at least one person who is aged (60 years of age or older) or disabled
  • $2,750 for all other households which are subject to the resource test


However, most Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) households are not subject to a resource test. Only households where someone is sanctioned or disqualified for an intentional program violation, or households that consist of a member who is aged (60 and older) or is disabled and have gross income in excess of 200% of the federal poverty level are subject to a resource test.


Donations to Support Asylum Seekers


To support the needs of asylum seekers entering New York City, The Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City, in partnership with The City of New York, is directing people to donate cash to the following relief organization:


United Way of New York City


Donations of new clothing, toiletry and hygiene items are welcome at the locations and times below:


MANHATTAN:


MISSION CHURCH JOHN 3:16

518 West 168th Street, New York, NY

Tuesday & Saturday 10AM - 5PM

Phone: 914-310-8948


BROOKLYN:


IGLESIAS JOVENES CRISTIANOS

8700 18th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11214

Sunday 12PM - 4PM

Phone: 718-795-5645


THE BRIDGE

1894 Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11210

Tuesdays & Wednesdays 10AM - 4PM

Phone: 917-804-3942


BRONX:


NEW LIFE CHURCH

2757 Morris Avenue, Bronx, NY 10468

Phone: 718-562-2230

(please call before drop off)


QUEENS:



SALVATION ARMY JAMAICA COMMUNITY CENTER

90-23 161st Street, Jamaica, NY 11432

Monday - Thursday 10AM -2PM

Phone: 914-217-3277


STATEN ISLAND:


THE CENTRAL FAMILY LIFE CENTER

59 Wright Street, Staten Island, NY 10304

Phone: 718-273-8414

 

GetCoveredNYC

 

GetCoveredNYC is celebrating 6 years! GetCoveredNYC provides free assistance for New Yorkers seeking to enroll in health care, regardless of immigration status or income. GetCoveredNYC Specialists speak more than 20 languages and conduct outreach to proactively identify uninsured New Yorkers and help them get access to health care and other health-related benefits. Read one of the many stories from clients, featured in The Positive Community!


Contact GetCoveredNYC:

  

Child Support Pay It Off Program Opens

 

The Office of Child Support Services (OCSS) will be offering its Pay It Off. Program beginning October 17th through October 31st. Noncustodial parents (NCPs) can pay off their NYC DSS child support arrears twice as fast. OCSS will match payments of at least $500 made toward their DSS arrears up to the amount they owe. For those with a current support order, the court ordered child support amount must be paid first for the full payment to be matched. Those NCPs who pay the DSS principal amount owed in full can have the entire amount owed in interest forgiven. In addition, NCPs may be eligible to enroll in other DSS debt reduction programs. The Pay It Off program over the years has been used by over 3,000 noncustodial parents to reduce $16 million of debt owed to the NYC Department of Social Services (DSS). The average debt reduction per case is $5,558. Please spread the word.

 

Learn more at nyc.gov/payitoff.

 

NYC Emergency Executive Order Declaration

 

New York City Mayor Eric Adams issued Emergency Executive Order 224, formally directing all relevant city agencies to coordinate efforts to respond to the asylum seeker humanitarian crisis and construct the city’s Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Centers. In an address, Mayor Adams also called for emergency federal and state aid to handle the continued influx of asylum seekers as the city projects costs of more than $1 billion related to asylum seekers in this fiscal year, as well as expedited work permits, a national decompression strategy, and a resettlement strategy. Remarks can be found here.

 

DHS Services for Asylum Seekers Arriving in NYC

 

As of October 23, 2022, over 21,400 asylum seekers have come to DHS, over 16,000 of whom remain in shelter as of that date. DHS is meeting its legal and moral mandate to provide shelter to all who need it, and since July have opened 55 emergency sites and 2 HERRCS to accommodate need. These numbers are updated weekly as this information changes daily.  

 

DSS Info Sessions for CBOs – Navigating Benefits for New Arrivals/Asylum Seekers

 

In response to demand for info sessions provided in early October, DSS is offering additional community information sessions relating to the possible benefits eligibility for new arrivals to NYC from the southern border. The information session will provide general overviews of the different immigration statuses and situations of those newly arriving as well as potential benefits eligibility as they relate to those categories.

 

Register here for one of the sessions below

 

  • November 15th at 2:00 pm
  • November 22nd at 2:00 pm
  • November 29th at 2:00 pm


We will continue to add additional sessions in response to ongoing demand.

 

Fair Fares - Ride for Half

 

The Fair Fares NYC program offers eligible New Yorkers regardless of immigration status a 50% discount on NYC subway and eligible buses and Access-A-Ride paratransit fares. Fair Fares enrollment is simple and can be completed anywhere online. Apply for Fair Fares on ACCESS HRA!


The discount is available to everyone who is eligible. NYC residency requirement does not include a minimum timeframe.

 

To find a location please visit the Fair Fares website. Fair Fares enrollment assistance is also available at the NYC Asylum Seeker Resource Navigation Center. 


Clients who need a replacement card or a refund can visit an office or mail in their damaged or expired card to: 

 

Fair Fares NYC

P.O. Box 7099

New York, NY 10008-7099

 

Clients who mail their card must include their first and last name, date of birth, and Fair Fares Client ID number in the envelope with the card.

 

All new cards and replacement cards will be mailed to the client.  

 

Fair Fares Updates and Outreach Materials

 

The City has created Fair Fares outreach materials - including palm cards, brochures, and posters that can be ordered by community organizations and others. Please use the Design and Print Ordering System (DPOS) website, after registering on the login page.

 

We encourage our partners to help get the word out about Fair Fares with our Social Media Fair Fares toolkit and short video. Please share and amplify!

 

Additional Resources and Information

 

Rent Guidelines Board Increases for Rend Stabilized Apartments

 

The increases for rent stabilized apartments in New York City were voted on by the NYC Rent Guidelines Board in June. These increases will apply to leases that go into effect between October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2023. All rent-stabilized apartments can only be increased in compliance with these rent increases For questions and more information Call 311 and ask for the "Tenant Helpline".

 

High School Admissions Details and Timeline


High school applications are open as of October 12. All applications are due on December 1. Applicants can include up to 12 high schools on their application, in addition to Specialized High Schools which require a separate application and testing process. Below are links to the 3 pathways to high school admissions:


  • Submit a high school application.
  • Optional: Apply to the eight testing Specialized High Schools
  • Registration to take the Specialized High Schools Admissions Test (SHSAT) will open on October 6 and close at 11:59pm on November 4.
  • SHSAT testing will take place for most DOE eighth graders on November 17 at their school during the school day. Ninth graders, and eighth graders at non-DOE schools (charter, private, and parochial schools), students will test at central sites on a weekend date. Date and time will be listed on all SHSAT tickets. 
  • Optional: Apply to LaGuardia High School.
  • Auditions for this school will be conducted virtually. To learn more about audition requirements, visit schools.nyc.gov/HSAuditions
  • Start exploring high school options using the public MySchools.nyc high school directory.
  • Read more about each pathway and watch the video series on the DOE website: schools.nyc.gov/High and schools.nyc.gov/SHS.

 

Questions? email HSEnrollment@schools.nyc.gov


Those who were unable to join the live event on October 18 can visit schools.nyc.gov/High. A captioned recording will be available on the website later this fall.

 

The New York City Racial Justice Commission – Ballot Initiatives this November

 

This November there are 3 ballot initiatives about racial justice on the back of the ballot. The NYC Racial Justice Commission has proposed three changes to the New York City Charter – our City’s constitution.

 

Questions to look for on the back of your ballot:


  • Add a Statement of Values to Guide Government: This preamble would embed a vision of a “just and equitable city” for all New Yorkers in the foundation of the City’s laws and require City officials to be guided by those values in carrying out their governmental functions. It would also acknowledge past harms and the need to remedy them.
  • Establish a Racial Equity Office, Plan, and Commission: This would create a Mayoral Office that must work with every City agency to create Racial Equity Plans and report data measuring disparities. It would also create an independent Commission to bring community perspectives and accountability into the process.
  • Measure the True Cost of Living: This would require the City government to track and report on the actual cost in New York City of meeting our essential needs, including housing, food, childcare, transportation, and other necessary costs. The True Cost of Living would be a new measurement focused not on poverty, but on how much it actually costs New Yorkers to live and thrive in the City with dignity.


Early voting begins October 29th and election day is November 8th. To learn more about these ballot questions and volunteer opportunities, visit the Racial Justice Commission website at nyc.gov/racialjustice


DYCD’s 2022 Community Needs Assessment (CNA)

 

The Community Needs Assessment (CNA) is a stakeholder engagement process through which the Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) collects feedback from community members in Neighborhood Development Areas (NDA) about the programs and services needed in their community. DYCD and Neighborhood Advisory Boards (NAB) use the feedback to develop program priorities and allocate federal Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) funds.

 

DYCD collects and uses data to inform program design and assess program success after CSBG funds are allocated as part of a continuous quality improvement process. NAB members, DYCD staff, and volunteers solicit feedback from community members through surveys, interviews, hearings, and other feedback collection methods.

 

The City has created a flyer and media tool kit to help raise awareness and increase involvement. The flyer can be found here, and the media toolkit can be found here.

 

The online survey can be found here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2022CNANYC.

 

Below is a list of upcoming public hearings:


Morningside Heights/Manhattanville

25 October 6-8 PM

Manhattanville Cornerstone Community Center

530 W. 133rd Street

New York, NY 10027


Central Harlem

26 October 6:30 – 8 PM

Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine

231 West 124th Street, 2nd Floor, Lecture Hall 2

New York, NY 10027


Sunset Park

3 November 6 – 8 PM

Brooklyn 7 Community Board Office

4201 4th Avenue

Brooklyn, NY 11232

(Entrance is on 43rd Street and 4th Avenue)

 

November 8 General Election

 

The general election is Tuesday, November 8, and early voting will take place from October 29 through November 6. The Absentee Portal is currently open. New Yorkers that need an absentee ballot for the election can request one online at https://nycabsentee.com/absentee, and then track the absentee ballot here

 

Health-Related Updates

 

Monkeypox Information

 

The City has opened second-dose Monkeypox vaccine appointments to anyone who received their first dose at least 28 days ago, and opened eligibility to people under 18 and who meet all other eligibility criteria (and whose parents consent).

 

Find everything about monkeypox at nyc.gov/monkeypox.  

 

New Yorkers can also text MONKEYPOX to 692692 for updates. For alerts in Spanish text MONKEYPOXESP to 692692.

 

To stay up to date on information regarding vaccination appointments, please check the NYC Health Department Monkeypox website, follow @NYCHealthy on Twitter, and sign up to receive text alerts from the City for updates on appointment availability.

 

More information about how you can prevent monkeypox is available here and Monkeypox 101 information is here

 

Palm Cards, information for providers, and other materials are available in multiple languages here.

 

Additional Resources

CDC: Monkeypox

 

Polio Information

 

In August 2022, health officials found poliovirus in NYC sewage samples. This followed a case of paralytic polio identified in Rockland County in July. Officials are investigating the positive case and potential ongoing spread of the virus in several upstate counties and the NYC area. There have not yet been any identified cases in the city.

 

The most important way for children and adults to protect themselves from polio is to get vaccinated right away, if they have not received all recommended polio vaccine doses. New Yorkers who have questions or need to be vaccinated should contact their health care provider or their child's Pediatrician. Those who do not have a primary care physician for them or their child can call 844-692-4692 for help finding one. Make an appointment for children age 4 and above here.

 

For additional information about polio and the polio vaccine, please visit the following websites:

 

 

New COVID Vaccines

 

The CDC has approved the use of updated Covid booster shots that specifically target the two prominent omicron subvariants, BA.4 and BA.5.

 

To be eligible for the new bivalent booster you must be at least two months out from completing your primary two-dose vaccination series or your last booster and be aged 12+ for the Pfizer shot and 18+ for Moderna. If you have recently had Covid, you must be fully recovered with negative tests to receive another vaccine.

Find a location to receive your booster shot here.

 

Vaccine Booster Updates

 

CDC has expanded eligibility of COVID-19 vaccine booster doses to everyone 5 years of age and older, recommending that children ages 5 through 11 years should receive a booster shot 5 months after their initial Pfizer-BioNTech vaccination series.

 

COVID-19 Testing

 

Resources and information about COVID-19 Testing is available at the NYC Test and Treat home page, as well as our COVID-19 Community Updates page.

 

As of Friday, September 2nd, the federal government is no longer providing free COVID-19 at-home rapid testing kits.

 

Test-and-Treat

 

The New York City Test & Trace Corps, established during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, is rebranding as the Test & Treat Corps to reflect the priority to provide New Yorkers with life-saving COVID-19 treatments.

  

New Yorkers can visit nyc.gov/covidtest to find a city-run testing site most convenient and accessible to them. Multiple COVID-19 treatments are available for people ages 12 and older and can be delivered to New Yorkers’ homes for free. 

 

For more information on COVID-19 treatments, call 212-COVID19 and press 9 or visit nyc.gov/health/covidtreatments. Calling 212-COVID19 provides New Yorkers an immediate connection to a clinician who can refer them to monoclonal antibody treatment or prescribe antiviral medications, like Paxlovid, and arrange to have it delivered to their home that same day.

  

Federal COVID-19 Resource Website

 

The Biden administration has introduced covid.gov, a federal website meant to help Americans who are infected with the virus find the treatment they need quickly and at no cost. On the website, people can find locations to get tests and anti-viral pills, find the locations of vaccination sites and places to acquire high-quality masks; fill out a form to order eight free at-home coronavirus tests per household; view their community’s risk level according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; and get general information on Covid symptoms, treatment, testing and travel.

 

The website is available in English, Spanish and Chinese. The administration is also making all of these tools available over the phone through the national vaccine hotline at 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489), which supports over 150 languages.

  

AfterCare Program for Long COVID

 

The NYC Test & Treat Corps AfterCare program has launched a hotline for New Yorkers seeking information and resources to recover from Long COVID. New Yorkers who are suffering from or suspect they may have Long COVID can now call AfterCare Navigators directly. AfterCare Navigators are health outreach specialists with experience supporting people during their COVID infection and will assess patients for their specific health and social needs and connect them to Long COVID resources. AfterCare Navigators connect patients to holistic resources – including physical and mental health referrals, community support, and financial assistance – to address the various physical symptoms, as well as the social and economic impacts, that New Yorkers with Long COVID may experience.

 

New Yorkers can call 212-COVID19 (212-268-4319), select their preferred language, and press 4 to speak directly to an AfterCare navigator. Learn more on the AfterCare website and through AfterCare’s Long COVID recovery guide.

 

Disability Information and Access Line (DIAL)

 

The trained staff at the Disability Information and Access Line (DIAL) can provide assistance with:

 

  • Ordering tests.
  • Understanding instructions for test administration and test results.
  • Providing alternative instructions for traditional at-home tests for people who are unable to access, read, or understand the manufacturer’s version.
  • For those who cannot use an at-home test, DIAL operators can:
  • Assist with ordering “swab and send” kits to collect a sample and mail it back for results.
  • Connect callers to local organizations for assistance locating other testing options in their community, including in-home testing programs or transportation or companion support to visit a community-based testing site.

 

Call 888-677-1199 Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Eastern) or email DIAL@usaginganddisability.org.

 

Community-wide Conference Call

 

We look forward to your continued participation on our monthly briefing calls and your ongoing work to help make sure that the critical information shared here and in our monthly calls is being communicated to our shared clients.

 

The information contained in this communication is a synopsis of what is being shared on our community-wide conference calls as well as new developments and useful information regarding other City benefits and services. All of the information included in each of our prior communications, since March 2020, is available on our website on the COVID-19 Community Updates webpage.

 

Thank you for your partnership in serving our fellow New Yorkers in need of our services. If you have any questions or concerns about the issues covered in this communication or on our community-wide conference calls, or if you would like to be added to our distribution or community call invitation list, please reach out to the Office of Community Outreach at DSSoutreach@dss.nyc.gov.

 

In partnership,

 

Gary P. Jenkins

DSS Commissioner