June 22, 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. Please note, as we announced on our most recent call, the community-wide briefing calls will be moving to a monthly schedule. Our next call will be held on June 28th at 4pm. We will share an invitation by email shortly.
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.
Infoline Extended Hours of Operation on Wednesdays
On June 8, 2022, the Infoline call center began a pilot that extends the hours of operation on Wednesdays to 7 PM until further notice. The Infoline hours of operation will remain 8 AM to 5 PM for all other weekdays.
Emergency SNAP 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 June 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. The public health emergency has been extended and is currently set to end on July 16, 2022.
On October 1, 2021, permanent changes to SNAP went into effect, resulting in a sizeable increase in the benefit issuance by household size. SNAP households have continued to receive emergency allotments on top of this permanent increase. Once the emergency allotments are no longer being issued, the permanent SNAP increase will remain in effect, but families and individuals will see a decrease in the total amount of SNAP received per month. Additional details will be shared as they become available.
SNAP On-Demand Interviews
SNAP On-Demand telephone eligibility interviews resumed on June 1, 2022. SNAP recertifications that are expiring in July and SNAP applications submitted after May 31 must now complete an interview or be rejected for failing to interview.
The availability of On-Demand interviews gives clients more flexibility as they do not have to wait for HRA to call them to complete their eligibility interview. Beginning June 1st, once they submit their application or recertification form via ACCESS HRA, at a PC Bank, in-person, or by mail, clients are able to call HRA at 718-SNAP-NOW (718-762-7669) anytime between 8:30am and 5:00pm, Monday to Friday, for an “on-demand” telephone interview. If an applicant has an emergency need for SNAP they should call right after they submit their application. Clients have up to 30 days from the time they submit their form to complete an interview either over the phone or in-person.
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) Designations for Sudan and Afghanistan
The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary has recently designated Sudan and Afghanistan for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). As a reminder, TPS can be extended to a country experiencing ongoing armed conflict, environmental disasters, or extraordinary and temporary conditions. Sudan’s designation, effective April 19, 2022, was made due to extraordinary and temporary conditions that prevent nationals and habitual residents from returning safely. Afghanistan’s designation, effective May 20, 2022, was made due to ongoing armed conflict and extraordinary and temporary conditions making it dangerous to return.
TPS is not automatically granted, individuals must apply for it through USCIS and provide the required proof that they meet the criteria to receive TPS. Therefore, individuals from Sudan or Afghanistan will not automatically be granted TPS. While Afghan nationals who arrived as part of the US evacuation effort were paroled into the United States on a case-by-case basis, for humanitarian reasons, for a period of two (2) years and received employment authorization, other Afghan nationals who were not a part of the evacuation but are present in the US may qualify for TPS. Similarly, those who were evacuated may qualify for TPS as well.
The Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) recognizes non-citizens with TPS as Permanently Residing Under Color of Law (PRUCOL) for the purposes of Safety Net Assistance (SNA) eligibility. Non-citizens with TPS can receive SNA, if otherwise eligible. Non-citizens granted TPS are ineligible for Cash Assistance (CA), the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), unless they are also in some other qualifying non-citizen status.
Child Care Request in ACCESS HRA
ACCESS HRA released the following functionality within the ACCESS HRA client portal in May 2022:
Cash Assistance (CA) clients with an active CA case can submit child care requests. The Case Change or Emergency Grants page has the option for a CA client to “Add or change child care.” This includes requests for removal or updates to existing child care, and a new grant for child care.
As a reminder, CA recipients who are participating in an approved education or training program outside of the home, or are employed, may be eligible for child care assistance. These needs are assessed at application and recertification. Clients who become employed or engaged outside of the home in between recertifications can submit a request for child care.
Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) Updates
As a reminder, tenant households that apply for ERAP will continue to receive ERAP tenant protections until an eligibility determination is made on the ERAP application. For additional information on these protections, please see the "Tenant Protections" section of the ERAP FAQ. This guidance states that once a tenant applies for ERAP they cannot be evicted for a lease expiration or for non-payment of rent during the COVID-19 Pandemic. The application number which will be provided to all applicants can be used in court if a landlord begins an eviction case in court for an expired lease, a holdover case or for non-payment of rent that would be eligible for coverage under ERAP.
There are no immigration status requirements to qualify for the program.
Applicants for One Shot Deal/Emergency Grants for rent arrears are no longer required to apply for ERAP to be eligible for a grant from HRA. This does not change with the re-opening of the ERAP portal.
Households eligible for rental arrears may also be eligible for help paying utility arrears at the same rental unit.
Please help our share clients prevent evictions by encouraging those at risk to apply for ERAP.
The ERAP call center operates Monday through Friday from 9 am – 7 pm. The call center can assist anyone who has questions about applying for ERAP. The numbers for the call center are listed below:
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1-844-NY1-RENT (1-844-691-7368)
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Individuals with a hearing impairment can call 1-833-843-8829 (TTY phone number)
IDNYC Renewals
IDNYC has made renewals easy and fast with the NEW and Improved Online Portal. For those who have no changes to make, renewing online takes 5 minutes or less. Even a renewal with a change of address this can be done online, saving a trip to an enrollment center.
For those that need to make a change that requires an appointment, we have 15 convenient locations around the city open to the public. These locations require an appointment. New Yorkers can visit https://a069-idnyconlineportal.nyc.gov/IOPWeb/IOPWeb/#/EN/Dashboard or call 311 and say “IDNYC” to learn about the amazing benefits of the card, and for more information on how to enroll or renew.
Fair Fares Updates and Outreach Materials
The Fair Fares NYC program continues to offer eligible New York City residents a 50% discount on eligible transportation. In our ongoing efforts to get the word out about this valuable benefit, 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.
Fair Fares borough offices are open to assist customers with application submissions and document uploads. To find a location please visit the Fair Fares website.
Clients will be able to request an in-person appointment by calling 311.
Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) Food Benefits Updates
New York State continues to distribute Pandemic EBT food benefits to all households with eligible children who receive free school lunch under the National School Lunch Act.
Nearly all eligible children throughout the state, who had their in-person attendance reduced during the 2020-21 school year due to the pandemic will receive P-EBT food benefits. Each eligible student will receive $375 in food benefits. Individuals can check their family's P-EBT food benefit transaction history by visiting www.connectebt.com or by calling 1-888-328-6399.
Recipient households should receive a text message alert when their food benefits are distributed. Families can check www.connectebt.com to see if the summer benefit was deposited. For all families with active SNAP or CA cases, benefits should be distributed in June.
Qualifying households do not apply for the P-EBT program, the NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) administers the program and automatically issues benefits on an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card.
For assistance with general questions or to request a replacement Medicaid CBIC that was issued for P-EBT food benefits:
Affordable Connectivity Program for Broadband Internet
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) gives a discount on a household's monthly broadband internet service. If eligible, participating broadband providers will apply this discount to the household's broadband plan.
The City has created ACP flyers in 30 languages to download and use at events, programs, and more: ACP Flyers.
If eligible for the ACP, the household can receive:
- Up to a $30/month discount on internet service
- A one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer (recipient will need to pay a copay between $10 and $50)
- Only one monthly service discount and one device discount is allowed per household
A household may be eligible if someone in the household falls under just one of these criteria:
- If a household income is 200% or less than the federal poverty guideline (ex: at or less than $35,775 for a household of 4)
- If an individual or their child or dependent participate in certain government assistance programs such as SNAP, Medicaid, WIC, or other programs
- If an individual or their child or dependent already receives a Lifeline benefit
- If a child in the household attend an NYC public school that participates in the free or reduced lunch program (all NYC public schools do!)
- Note: An individual do not need to be a U.S. citizen to be eligible. If they do not have a Social Security Number (SSN), they can provide other documents.
- Note: Additionally, customers are not required to submit to a credit check.
How to Enroll
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Go to acpbenefit.org to submit an application or print out a mail-in application.
- Contact the preferred participating provider to select an eligible plan and have the discount applied to the household bill.
- Some providers may have an alternative application to complete. Eligible households must both apply for the program and contact a participating provider to select a service plan.
Resources from the FCC
NYC Care Health Care Access Program
NYC Care is a health care access program that guarantees low-cost and no-cost services to New Yorkers who do not qualify for or cannot afford health insurance. All NYC Care services are provided through NYC Health + Hospitals .
NYC Care is the nation’s largest and most comprehensive initiative to guarantee health care for New Yorkers, regardless of immigration status or ability to pay.
Eligibility
- You must live in the five boroughs of New York City
- Must not qualify for any health insurance plan available in New York State
- Not be able to afford health insurance based on government guidelines
To enroll: 646-NYC-CARE
Housing Our Neighbors: A Blueprint for Housing and Homelessness
The blueprint rests on five key pillars:
- Transforming NYCHA,
- Addressing Homelessness and Housing Instability,
- Creating and Preserving Affordable Housing,
- Improving the Health and Safety of New Yorkers, and
- Reducing Administrative Burden.
NYC HOPE Count 2022 Results
The Department of Social Services and Homeless Services (DSS) announced that the annual Homeless Outreach Population Estimate (HOPE) Survey of unsheltered homelessness in New York City, conducted annually since 2005, found 3,439 individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness in New York City on the night of January 25th, 2022.
The HOPE 2022 survey results are available for download here.
Additional Resources and Information
New York Primary Elections
Early voting began on 6/18 for the 6/28 primaries, which will nominate candidates for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, State Assembly, Judges, and District Leader to run in the November General election.
Another set of primaries will be held 8/23 for Congress and State Senate.
Use findmypollsite.vote.nyc/. Early voting hours vary, because they’re designed to encompass a variety of working situations:
SearchandCare.org offers a bilingual voter hotline for older adults, accessible by calling (212) 289-6209.
Free Summer Meals Starts June 28
Breakfast and lunch will continue beyond the instructional school year, beginning on June 28th. The NYC Summer Meals Program is available throughout New York City to anyone ages 18 years old and under. Designated public schools, community pool centers, parks, and food trucks will be open for service. No registration, documentation, or ID is necessary to receive a free breakfast or lunch meal. Additional information will be provided in the coming weeks. Learn more about Summer Meals here.
How To Find Locations
- Find A Location Search (available mid-June)
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Website: www.schools.nyc.gov/summermeals
- Text: NYC Food to 304-304 (standard text messaging rates may apply)
- Call: 311
Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program
Once a year, the Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) gives eligible, low-income older adults 20 dollars in coupons to buy locally-grown fresh fruits and vegetables at participating farmers' markets in New York State. Booklets are available in July and may be used through November. They are given out on a first-come, first-served basis.
There is no cost for the coupon booklet. Farmers markets may accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP) benefits, and many markets accept the Electronic Benefits Card (EBT).
Eligibility
SFMNP checks are provided to individuals 60 years or older, who are, or affirm that they are, low-income based on income standards.
NYC Free Swimming Pools
NYC pools will open for the season on June 28th for general swim. Pool hours are 11: 00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Please visit the NYC Outdoor Pools page to find public pool locations, including wheelchair-accessible pools.
Due to the current national lifeguard shortage, all swim programs, including adult lap swim, have been cancelled for summer 2022.
Indoor pools are accessible through recreation centers across the five boroughs. Learn more and find a location at the NYC recreation center locations page.
Bystander Intervention Training
On Saturday, 6/25, 2 – 3 pm, Right To Be is offering a free virtual Bystander Intervention Training addressing anti-LGTBQ+ harassment, and trainings to address Trans equality.
Participants will be presented with the histories and spectrum of disrespect against LGBTQ+ community members, and discuss the impacts of inaction when we face or witness harassment. From there, participants will learn Right To Be’s 5Ds of bystander intervention, roleplaying each one to gain familiarity and knowledge so that they’re prepared to act.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Waiver
For a limited time, Federal student loan borrowers may receive credit for past periods of repayment that would otherwise not qualify for PSLF.
Last year, the U.S. Department of Education announced a temporary period during which borrowers may receive credit for payments that previously did not qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) or Temporary Expanded PSLF (TEPSLF). This waiver makes it easier for public service employees to receive credit for more payments. All waiver forms must be submitted by October 31, 2022.
SUNY/CUNY Excelsior Scholarship
Excelsior Scholarships are open to first-time students entering college in the Fall 2022 term and current students who have never received the Excelsior Scholarship.
Applications are open now until 8/31/2022. To qualify:
- Students must plan to attend a SUNY or CUNY two or four-year college
- Complete 30 credits per year towards their program of study
- Be on track to graduate on time with a two-year Associate’s Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree in four years
- Students’ families must have made $125,000 or less in the 2020 tax year.
NYS Department of Labor (DOL) Virtual Workshops
Each month, the NYS DOL offers dozens of virtual workshops for job seekers on everything from resume writing and networking to salary negotiation and the Civil Service system. The courses are free and provide valuable job search information and satisfy work search requirements. Visit the Career Center Event Calendar page to view workshops in June and to register for workshops.
SAHMSA Behavioral Health Recovery Innovation Challenge
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), announced its first-ever behavioral health Recovery Innovation Challenge. The goal of this challenge is to identify innovations developed by peer-run or community-based organizations, and entities that may partner with them—such as local or state governments, health systems, hospitals, or health plans—that advance recovery.
As part of this challenge, participants are encouraged to share details about the practices they are using to advance recovery and demonstrate how these practices have: 1) expanded upon SAMHSA’s definition of recovery, or 2) helped them overcome challenges in incorporating recovery into their behavioral health services or systems.
The deadline for submission is July 15, 2022. The purse prize is up to $400,000. The competition will offer up to 10 awards, depending on the judges’ overall scores. All submission materials must be submitted through the SAMHSA Recovery Innovation Challenge page on the challenge.gov website.
NYCHA Residents CUNY Scholarships
NYCHA’s Office of Resident Economic Empowerment & Sustainability announced that applications for college scholarships are now open. One-time $1,000 grants are awarded to eligible NYCHA residents who are pursuing undergraduate degrees at a City University of New York (CUNY) college.
All applications must be submitted online by July 14, 2022.
To apply, please use the NYCHA self-service portal and select NYCHA-CUNY Scholarship on the left hand navigation pane. If an applicant does not already have access, they must create a username and password.
COVID-19 Related Updates
On May 17, the COVID-19 alert Level in NYC was raised to “High” risk.
Mask Updates
Children under the age of 5 will no longer be required to wear masks in schools and day care settings starting Monday, June 13.
Nevertheless, New Yorkers of all ages are encouraged to electively wear masks indoors. Masks will continue to be available for children or school workers.
Vaccine 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
Third round of home tests
The Biden administration is opening CovidTests.gov for a third round of orders of at-home COVID tests. US households are now able to order "an additional eight free at-home tests at COVIDTests.gov—bringing the total number of free tests available to each household since the start of the program to 16.
Individuals who need help placing an order for at-home tests can call 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489).
Testing in NYC
Test & Trace makes weekly deliveries of at-home tests to participating cultural sites and libraries, where they are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Additionally, over 850 community and faith-based organizations — including 243 houses of worship — have signed up to regularly distribute at-home tests. Any New York City-based community organization that would like to participate as an at-home test distribution partner is encouraged to sign up online.
Free testing continues to be available at City-run sites throughout the five boroughs. The NYC Health and Hospitals COVID-19 Testing Sites page includes detailed information about all City-run mobile, brick-and-mortar, and micro testing sites across the five boroughs, including location, schedule, and types of testing offered. 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.
COVID-19 testing at most City-run sites is walk-in only. All New Yorkers are tested on a first-come, first-served basis. Some sites allow pre-registration through this link, which will streamline check-in upon arrival.
To search for all nearby testing sites, including those not affiliated with the City, please visit the NYC Testing Locations site. NYC Test & Trace recommends calling these testing sites before visiting. Please note that some sites that are not City-run may charge for testing.
At-home COVID Testing for Immunocompromised Individuals
Free, at-home testing for COVID-19 is now available to all immunocompromised New Yorkers and those ages 65 and older. To schedule an in-home appointment, call (929) 298-9400 between 9:00 AM and 7:00 p.m. (7 days a week). For more information visit the NYC COVID-19 Testing Locations site
COVID-19 Test Scams
There have been reports of scams which claim to provide at-home COVID-19 test kits in exchange for personal or medical information. Individuals should not give out Medicare Numbers for COVID-19 test kits.
Call 800-MEDICARE to report suspected fraud.
“Test-to-Treat” Pharmacy Program
A new federal Test to Treat program gives people a fast and easy way to get lifesaving treatment for COVID-19. In this program, people can get tested at Test to Treat sites. If they test positive and treatments are appropriate for them, they can get a prescription from a healthcare provider and have the prescription filled all in one location. People can also bring test results obtained from a home testing kit to Test to Treat sites and get evaluated by a healthcare provider for treatment.
People can use the COVID-19 Test to Treat Locator to find Test to Treat sites near them. A call center is also available at 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489) to get help in English, Spanish, and more than 150 other languages – 8:00 am to midnight ET, 7 days a week. The Disability Information and Access Line (DIAL) is also available to specifically help people with disabilities access services. To get help, call 1-888-677-1199, Monday-Friday from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm ET or email DIAL@usaginganddisability.org.
Learn more about the program and download fact sheets in numerous languages here.
Home Delivered COVID Antiviral Medication
The City is providing free home delivery -- as long as there is a prescription-- of oral antiviral pills Paxlovid (made by Pfizer), and Molnupiravir (by Merck), via Alto Pharmacy, a medication provider which has partnered with the City. Since supplies of the new drugs are extremely limited, deliveries will be prioritized to those who test positive and considered to be at higher risk for COVID.
Those who have tested positive and are otherwise qualified can visit Virtual ExpressCare for a phone or video visit or call 212-COVID19 (212-268-4319) and press 9.
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 & Trace 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.
Community-wide Conference Call
We look forward to your continued participation on our briefing calls which will now be moving to a monthly schedule, 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, please do not hesitate to reach out to the Office of Advocacy and Outreach at DSSoutreach@dss.nyc.gov.
In partnership,
Gary P. Jenkins
DSS Commissioner
