September 20, 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. 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
- Indoor dining
- Includes restaurants, catering halls, event spaces, hotel banquet rooms, bars, nightclubs, cafeterias, grocery stores with indoor dining, coffee shops and fast food or quick service with indoor dining.
- Indoor fitness
- Includes gyms, fitness centers, fitness classes, pools, indoor studios and dance studios.
- Indoor entertainment
- Includes movie theaters, music and concert venues, museums, aquariums and zoos, professional sports arenas, indoor stadiums, convention centers, exhibition halls, performing arts theaters, bowling alleys, arcades, pool and billiard halls, recreational game centers, adult entertainment, and indoor play areas.
The NYC vaccine referral bonus program has been extended to small businesses, including restaurants. Civic organizations, including community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, and Parent-Teacher Associations, were already eligible. Under this expansion, small businesses are now eligible to receive a $100 vaccine referral bonus for each employee or customer that 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, small businesses 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.
NYC Mobile Vaccine Buses continue to provide vaccines in Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan, and Queens. The full schedule of mobile vaccine locations can be found online 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.
While walk-up vaccines are available at City-operated vaccination sites, appointments can still be made by using vaccinefinder.nyc.gov.
New York State Utility Shutoff Moratorium
New York State law provides temporary shutoff protections of essential utilities and municipal services during the COVID-19 pandemic. The moratorium is a grace period for customers to catch up on their bill and obtain financial assistance.
Those who have experienced a loss of income due to the COVID-19 pandemic and are in arrears for utility or municipal bills must self-certify to their utility provider or municipality to protect their account from shutoff. Utility companies and municipalities must also offer a deferred payment agreement with no money down, late fees, or interest to help pay arrears. These temporary protections will remain in effect through December 2021. For more information please visit: https://www3.dps.ny.gov/W/AskPSC.nsf/All/D3BB77AFE92D6FFF852585EE0051A13E?OpenDocument#_blank
Department of Education Health and Safety Guide for Families
This guide contains information on Medically Necessary Instruction which provides home instruction for students with certain chronic health conditions. Students with chronic health conditions listed in the guide will be provisionally approved for home instruction. In addition to those conditions listed for provisional approval, any family can apply for Medically Necessary Instruction. For more information please visit the DOE website here or contact Ailish Brady from the Chief Academic Officer team at abrady3@schools.nyc.gov.
Vaccination and Testing Requirements for City Contracted Service Providers
DSS and HRA contracted service providers have been informed of vaccination and testing requirements under the COVID Safety Mandate Program (COVID SMP). Under the COVID SMP, contractors must require their covered employees to either:
- Provide one-time verification that they are fully vaccinated; or
- Provide a weekly record of a negative PCR test as evidence that they are in compliance with the mandate under the COVID SMP.
Vaccination and Testing Apps
New Yorkers can meet vaccine and/or testing requirements by carrying their paper vaccination card with them or scanning and storing it in one of two authorized mobile apps - Excelsior Pass Wallet and NYC Covid Safe.
The Excelsior Pass Wallet, developed for New York State, allows an individual to find and store their proof of vaccination right on their phone with a QR code, or to print out their QR code instead. The app will only work for people who have been vaccinated in New York, as it confirms the vaccination information against city or state records. The app, called NYS Wallet, is available for download on iPhone and Android phones.
The NYC Covid Safe app doesn’t connect directly to vaccine records. The app allows a person to upload 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. The app is also available for download on iPhone and Android phones.
COVID-19 Testing
Free in-home COVID PCR testing is now 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.
In addition, please note that NYC Health + Hospitals COVID-19 testing will be at the two sites below on Monday, September 20 through Friday, September 24 from 8am-7pm:
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Clinton Hill: 495 Clermont Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238
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Staten Island: 201 Bay Street, Staten Island, NY 10301
NYS Eviction Protections for Tenants – Update
On September 3, 2021, the NYC Department of Investigation, the agency that oversees city marshals who are tasked with executing eviction warrants issued by Housing Court, published an advisement to marshals clarifying that following the recent changes to the law an eviction warrant that was issued prior to September 2, 2021 may not be executed by a marshal until the Housing Court has held a status conference with the parties. DOI’s advisement is available on their website here.
Tenants who are scheduled for appearance in eviction proceedings in Housing Court, including for hearings about Hardship Declarations, have access to free eviction defense legal services provided by HRA’s Office of Civil Justice (OCJ) under the City’s right-to-counsel law, regardless of ZIP code. Tenants with questions about their protections from eviction can get free legal advice and other assistance provided by OCJ. For more information on how to access free legal services for tenants in NYC, call 311 and ask for the Tenant Helpline, call nonprofit Housing Court Answers at (718) 557-1379, or visit HRA’s Office of Civil Justice online at www.nyc.gov/civiljustice.
State OTDA Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) Program Updates
Please continue to encourage everyone who may be eligible to apply for ERAP, and please remember that help is available for landlords and tenants across the city through a network of DSS contracted community-based organizations: https://nyc.gov/erap. Questions can also be answered via the State’s ERAP call center: 844-NY1RENT (844-691-7368) or the hearing-impaired TTY phone number: 1-833-843-8829.
Resources are available for download to help clients access this benefit:
All are available in additional languages here.
ERAP Denial/Partial Acceptance Information for One-Shot Deal Applicants
In accordance with OTDA’s directive, clients who have received a denial or partial acceptance of an ERAP application from the State may now apply for a One-Shot Deal/Special Grant. Confirmation of the ERAP application denial or partial acceptance from OTDA can be provided in hard copy or email format.
Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) Eligibility Update
New Yorkers who make 80–120% of area median income (up to $131,230 for a family of four, see all household sizes here) may now apply to ERAP.
Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) Applications for NYCHA Residents
State OTDA has now approved the joint request by NYCHA and DSS to enable NYCHA to apply for ERAP on behalf of residents so that residents no longer have to fill out the full online ERAP application. Residents who haven’t yet applied for ERAP can consent to NYCHA applying on their behalf via the Authority’s Self-Service Portal (a how-to guide can be found here). NYCHA residents who have already submitted an ERAP application should send their ERAP application number, first and last name, date of birth, development name, and nine-digit account number to erap.fin@nycha.nyc.gov so that NYCHA can complete the application with State OTDA.
CityFHEPS New Payment Standards
New payment standards for approved CityFHEPS clients went into effect on September 1, 2021. Please refer to the detailed charts at the end of this letter for more information.
CityFHEPS Renewals
The best way clients can return their completed and signed CityFHEPS Renewal Request form is to email it along with images of all supporting documents to RAPrenewals@hra.nyc.gov. Clients can also mail the completed and signed form, along with copies of all supporting documents, to Rental Assistance Program Unit, 109 E 16th Street, 10th Floor, New York, NY 10003. The Rental Assistance Unit remains closed to the public at this time.
SNAP Emergency Food Replacement Claims
Clients may be eligible for funds to replace food lost as a result of the impacts of Tropical Cyclone Ida. In order to file a claim, clients should complete the Request for Replacement of Food Purchased with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Benefits, LDSS-2291 form and return it to HRA for processing. Forms can be submitted as follows:
- Upload using the ACCESS HRA mobile app (visit nyc.gov/accesshramobile for information on how to download the app).
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Fax to 917-639-2544 .
- Mail to:
Centralized Recertification Mail Unit
PO Box 29008
Brooklyn, NY 11202
For clients residing in the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, or Staten Island no additional documentation is required at this time. Clients residing in Manhattan will need to provide a statement from a landlord, utility company, or the Red Cross confirming the damage at that location.
We have received approval of our waiver request to allow recipients of SNAP an extension to October 1, 2021 to request a grant to replace food purchased with SNAP benefits that was lost as a result of power outages. Click here for the request form, LDSS-2291. You can upload the completed form using the AHRA Mobile App.
Post-Tropical Cyclone Ida
New York City has compiled a list of resources for New Yorkers impacted by Tropical Cyclone Ida, including food and housing assistance, emotional and spiritual support, and more. Visit https://www1.nyc.gov/site/em/resources/ida.page for more information.
Post-Tropical Cyclone Ida Resource Centers
The City has opened five service centers to provide resources to New Yorkers impacted by the severe weather emergency. These locations are open daily from 8am to 8pm. Locations can be found at nyc.gov/Ida.
People who have no other transportation options to visit one of these service centers, especially individuals with disabilities or other access or functional needs, may request transportation assistance by contacting 311 (212-639-9675 for Video Relay Service, or TTY: 212-504-4115).
Service center locations:
Bronx
P.S./M.S. 194: 2365 Waterbury Avenue
Bronx, NY 10462
Brooklyn (Red Hook)
P.S. 15: 71 Sullivan Street
Brooklyn, NY 11231
Manhattan (lower Central Harlem)
I.S. 88: 215 West 114th Street
New York, NY 10026
Queens
M.S. 125: 4602 47th Avenue
Woodside, NY 11377
Staten Island
I.S. 51: 80 Willowbrook Road
Staten Island, NY 10302
FEMA Disaster Assistance
The federal government has approved an expedited Major Disaster Declaration that will help provide federal financial relief for New Yorkers recovering from the flooding damage caused by the remnants of Tropical Cyclone Ida. The counties covered by the declaration include: Bronx, Queens, Kings (Brooklyn), and Richmond (Staten Island).
between 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. ET, 7 days a week.
New York State Department of Financial Services – Recovery Assistance
The New York State Department of Financial Services can provide residents and business owners impacted by the storm with insurance information regarding policy coverage for losses and suggestions on how to document their losses and safeguard their property.
New Yorkers can call the New York State Department of Financial Services' (NYS DFS) Disaster Hotline at 800-339-1759, daily, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, or contact the Department by accessing the website at www.dfs.ny.gov.
Additional in-person services are available on a daily basis at the following locations:
- Brooklyn: Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation, Main Lobby, 1368 Fulton Street (9am-5pm)
- Brooklyn: P.S. 15, 71 Sullivan Street (8am-8pm)
- Manhattan: Assemblywoman Carmen De La Rosa's Office, 210 Sherman Avenue, Suite A & C (9am-5pm)
- Manhattan: I.S. 88, 215 West 114th Street (8am-8pm)
- Queens: Mobile unit, 24-01 87th Street, East Elmhurst (9am-5pm)
- Queens: M.S. 125, 4602 47th Avenue (8am-8pm)
- Queens: 79-01 Broadway (9am-5pm)
- Queens: Assemblywoman Catalina Cruz's Office, 41-40 Junction Boulevard (9am-5pm)
- Queens: Senator Leroy Comrie's Office, 113-43 Farmers Boulevard (9:30am-5:30pm)
- Bronx: Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernández’s Office, 2018 Williamsbridge Road (9am-5pm)
- Bronx: P.S./M.S. 194, 2365 Waterbury Avenue (8am-8pm)
- Bronx: Assemblyman Carl Heastie's Office, 1446 East Gun Hill Road (9am-5pm)
- Staten Island: Assemblyman Michael Cusick's Office, 1911 Richmond Avenue, #110 (9am-5pm)
- Staten Island: Assemblyman Charles Fall’s Office, 853 Forest Avenue (9am-5pm)
- Staten Island: I.S. 51, 80 Willowbrook Road (8am-8pm)
Request for Extension of Current Waivers
HRA has requested an extension of the following waivers from NYS OTDA. These waivers are currently set to expire on September 30, 2021:
- Permission to submit SNAP and Cash Assistance applications by telephone with HRA staff.
- SNAP partial interview waiver.
- Continue to suppress Income Savings Plan (ISP) notices, and allow DSS to apply good cause universally for clients who do not contribute to the savings plan.
SNAP Emergency Allotment
As it has in previous months, the State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) is issuing an emergency SNAP supplement to households who were issued SNAP benefits for September 2021. The emergency allotment will be the maximum allotment for the household size or $95, whichever is greater. Further information is available here. 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/.
Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Increase Details
We have been receiving a number of questions regarding the upcoming Federal SNAP increase (effective October 1, 2021) and the simultaneous end of the COVID SNAP maximum benefit increase of 15% as well as the upcoming end of the emergency SNAP allotments. In response to those questions, please see the below information on the Federal SNAP changes.
Emergency Allotments:
In March 2020, SNAP benefits began being 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 it. 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. These emergency allotments – with the minimum amount of $95 – will continue for one month beyond the end of the federal public health emergency. The public health emergency is currently set to end in October 2021, with emergency allotments ending in November 2021.
SNAP benefit increases:
Beginning in January 2021, the maximum SNAP benefit amount was increased temporarily by 15%, and this temporary increase will expire on September 30, 2021. However, effective October 1, 2021, permanent changes to the Thrifty Food Plan (that the US Department of Agriculture uses to calculate SNAP benefits) will go into effect, resulting in a sizeable increase in the maximum benefit amounts by household size.
Through the end of September 2021, both emergency allotments and the 15% benefit increase will be in effect. For the months of October and November 2021, both emergency allotments and the permanent SNAP increase will be in effect. Beginning in December, emergency allotments will no longer be issued (unless the public health emergency is extended), but the permanent SNAP increase will remain in effect.
Please refer to this chart for additional details about the federal changes.
DOE Grab-and-Go Meals Update
The last day of Community Meal Service at New York City Schools was September 10, 2021 to coincide with the opening of schools on September 13, 2021. Universal breakfast and lunch programs are available to all NYC school children. Updated information on public access to food services will be forthcoming.
HRA Center Reopenings and Medicaid/SNAP Information
The Chinatown Medicaid Office, located at 115 Chrystie Street in the Manhattan, is open as of September 20, 2021.
HRA’s Medicaid clients who have questions about their case or their Medicaid card or who wish to report case changes, such as change of address, can call the HRA Medicaid Helpline at 1-888-692-6116. Pursuant to a federal waiver, Medicaid easements allowing for applicant attestation of all elements of eligibility except identity and immigration status are in place until the end of the year and Medicaid renewals due between now and December 31, 2021 will automatically be renewed.
The Coney Island SNAP Office, located at 2857 West 8th Street in Brooklyn, opened to clients on September 20, 2021. With this center opening all SNAP centers have now reopened.
SNAP clients who are unable to transact with the agency using our remote online options such as ACCESS HRA can utilize the Centers that are currently open to serve clients in person or call Infoline at (718) 557-1339 to find other ways they can apply, including a telephone submission.
HRA locations will continue to follow best practices for preventing the spread of COVID-19, and we will continue to encourage clients to avoid unnecessary trips to our offices by using our remote or online services through ACCESS HRA. Masks will be required in all locations, and self-service drop boxes for completed Cash Assistance (CA), SNAP and HEAP applications will be available at all CA and SNAP sites, in addition to the self-service PC banks and scanners available at the majority of HRA SNAP and Job Centers. Medicaid applications from individuals age 65 and older or who have a disability can be dropped off in marked drop boxes at Medical Assistance Program “MAP” (formerly known as Medical Insurance and Community Services Administration or MICSA) locations and may also be faxed to 917-639-0732.
Lifeline Telephone Discount
Lifeline is a federal program that offers a monthly discount on telephone service to qualified low-income customers. Consumers qualify for Lifeline by participating in certain federal or state assistance programs or by having income at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines. The Lifeline discount can be applied to either home telephone service (landline or cable) or wireless service and is available for only one line per household. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), in conjunction with two national utilities associations, is working to share information about this program with low-income New Yorkers who may be eligible for this program for the first time. Information about Lifeline that is specific to New York can be found here.
Beginning in March 2020, the Federal Communications Commission temporarily eased the documentation requirements for those who seek to qualify for the federal Lifeline program based on their income. Currently, many of these changes are set to expire on September 30. More information about COVID-19-related changes to the Lifeline program can be found here.
Service providers and consumer advocates can learn more about the program at usac.org/lifeline.
NYC Parks Department Recreation Center Re-Openings and Free Membership
As of September 13, recreation centers across the five boroughs have reopened to all New Yorkers — members and non-members — for free.
The Parks Department is offering free membership to New Yorkers who sign up between September 7 - December 31, 2021 ($150 value for adult membership). The membership term will last for one year from the date the individual signs up. Membership grants access to citywide Parks Department facilities.
Select centers will remain closed for public use to continue serving as vaccination and testing sites:
- Vaccination Site: Kwame Ture (Bronx)
- Testing Sites: St. James (Bronx); and Sorrentino (Queens)
Two centers sustained damage from Hurricane Ida and will remain closed until further notice:
- St. Mary’s (Bronx)
- Red Hook (Brooklyn)
Indoor pools remain closed to the public at this time.
Comptroller Service Window Re-opened
As of September 7, 2021, the service window for the New York City Office of the Comptroller located at 1 Centre Street, New York, New York 10007, will be open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 10 AM to 1 PM.
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
