January 10, 2022
Dear Community Partner:
Thank you for your partnership in our shared commitment to serve New Yorkers in need . It is my pleasure to continue this weekly communication as the Department of Social Services Commissioner. This communication, as well as the weekly community calls, have served an important function throughout the pandemic, one that I plan to continue moving forward as means of providing regular updates and answering 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.
These calls will resume at the same time they were being held previously, Tuesdays at 4 pm beginning on January 11, 2021. As a reminder, please reach out to DSS Outreach at DSSoutreach@dss.nyc.gov to be added to the list of invitees for the Tuesday call and/or to be added to the distribution list for this weekly communication.
Following the standing weekly calls, we have continued 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 distribution list for this weekly update, please send an email request to dssoutreach@dss.nyc.gov.
COVID-19 Vaccination Information
- Expand the use of a single booster dose to include use in individuals 12 through 15 years of age.
- Shorten the time between the completion of primary vaccination of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine and a booster dose to at least five months.
- Allow for a third primary series dose for certain immunocompromised children 5 through 11 years of age.
Previously, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration amended the emergency use authorization (EUA) for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, authorizing the use of a single booster dose for administration to children 16 and 17 years of age at least six months after receiving their second dose of vaccination with the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine.
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.
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.
Vaccine Referral Bonus Program
An additional $3M has been allotted to extend the NYC vaccine referral bonus program through January 2022. This referral bonus 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 this form.
More Information
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
- 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.
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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.
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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.
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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 the NYC DOHMH Vaccine Records site.
COVID-19 Testing
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 the link above, which will streamline check-in upon arrival.
DOHMH currently operates eight COVID Express Testing sites. Appointments are required at these express locations and can be reserved through the COVID Express Testing site. COVID Express site test results are available within 24 hours or less, with most patients receiving same-day results. All tests performed at these sites are PCR-based laboratory diagnostic tests, which are the most accurate type of test available. COVID Express site testing is free to all New Yorkers, regardless of immigration status.
Beginning January 3, the NYC in-school testing program expanded, doubling the number of students tested at each school and including both vaccinated and unvaccinated students. Families with students in first grade and up can choose to participate in the program by completing the online form in their NYC Schools Account or returning a signed paper form to school. Additionally, schools will begin distributing free, take-home COVID-19 rapid test kits to any students or staff who exhibit COVID-like symptoms or have been in a classroom where a positive case has been identified.
Free walk-in COVID-19 PCR testing is currently available at seven subway stations through a state-funded testing initiative, with the following schedule:
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Times Square-42nd St (Manhattan) Mon – Sun, 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
- Grand Central Terminal (Manhattan) Mon – Sun, 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Penn Station (Manhattan) Mon – Sun, 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Broadway Junction (Brooklyn) Mon – Fri, 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
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E. 180th St. (Bronx) Mon – Fri, 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
- Roosevelt Ave. (Queens) Mon – Fri, 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
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Jamaica-179th St. (Queens) Mon – Fri, 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM
The testing sites at Times Square-42nd St. and Grand Central Terminal are also pop-up COVID-19 vaccination sites and offer COVID-19 vaccine booster shots.
Free at-home COVID-19 testing is now available to all immunocompromised New Yorkers and those ages 65 and older. Call 929-298-9400 between 9:00 AM and 7:00 PM (7 days a week) to schedule an appointment. More information can also be found here.
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.
Health and Hospitals – Suspension of Patient Visitation
The New York City Health + Hospitals temporarily suspended patient visitations systemwide to protect its public hospital workers and patients from the variant. There are exceptions, including when a visit is medically necessary, if a patient is in an end-of-life situation or in labor, a pediatric patient or an infant in the neonatal ICU. In those cases, visitors must show proof of vaccination or a negative test within 48 hours. More information can be found here. Please visit the NYC Health + Hospitals website for the latest information.
Emergency Rental Assistance Program Re-opening
The State Office of Temporary and Disability Services (OTDA) has been ordered to re-open the ERAP portal as a result of a preliminary injunction order issued by Judge Lynn R. Kotler. We will provide additional information on the re-opening of the ERAP portal as it becomes available.
SNAP Periodic Report – Delayed Mailing
The State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) has indicated that there may be a delay in the mailing of the SNAP Periodic Report (LDSS-4310) forms that are due by January 10, 2022. As a result, clients are being given an extension on submission of the Periodic Report until close of business on January 18, 2022 to return completed forms. As a reminder, the Periodic Report can be submitted through ACCESSHRA.
State Waiver Extensions
OTDA has extended the following waivers through March 31, 2022, or the end of the month after which the public health emergency declaration ends, whichever is earlier:
- Permission to submit SNAP and Cash Assistance applications and recertifications by telephone with HRA staff.
- Partial interview waiver for SNAP
State of the State Updates
During the first State of the State address by Governor Hochul, she highlighted her agenda for 2022 including a number of proposals related to housing, homelessness and social services:
- Statewide expansion of free legal services, which New York City established in 2017 along with a Right to Counsel
- Creation of Safe Options Support (SOS) teams which will deploy mental health practitioners to help transition individuals on the street to stable housing
- Increasing the amount Public Assistance recipients can earn and the amount they can save before losing eligibility
- Eliminating the 45-day waiting period for Safety Net Assistance benefits for individuals not eligible for Public Assistance
- Increasing housing funding and healthcare support for runaway and homeless youth
- Mental health telemedicine access for people experiencing homeless when interacting with law enforcement and outreach workers
The Governor proposed the creation and preservation of 100,000 affordable housing units and 10,000 supportive housing units. To achieve this, the Governor proposed:
- Easing restrictions on converting hotels and offices to residential uses,
- Legislation requiring municipalities to allow a minimum of one ADU on owner-occupied residentially zoned lots
- Repeal restrictions in New York City allowing for denser residential development.
The Governor also highlighted efforts to support those who have experienced incarceration including legislation to prevent housing discrimination based on conviction or credit status.
Medicaid Income Limits
The State has released the new 2022 income and resource limits for Non-MAGI clients. These new income limits went into effect as of January 1, 2022.
Medicaid Surplus Cases
In accordance with State DOH requirements, Medicaid surplus consumers must continue to meet their surplus requirement during the COVID-19 health emergency. Surplus consumers can continue to submit medical bills to cover their surplus by mail or fax.
HRA Medicaid Surplus Unit
785 Atlantic Avenue
Brooklyn NY 11238; or
Fax: 917-639-0645
Payment may also be submitted to the HRA Division of Accounts Receivable and Billing (DARB) at 150 Greenwich Street, 34th Floor, NY NY 10007. Those who submit payment to DARB must then call the Surplus Hotline at 929-221-0835 to report that a payment has been made and provide case information.
Medicaid consumers who cannot submit payment or bills because of health issues related to COVID-19 can call the Surplus Hotline at 929-221-0835 to attest that they have the money or the bills to satisfy their surplus but are unable to submit them.
For Medicaid consumers who have lost income, they should have their case re-budgeted, which may lower or eliminate their surplus in some instances. Proof of a change in income should be faxed to 917-639-0645.
Eviction and Utility Moratoriums
The utility moratorium (utility shut offs) enacted by NYS for COVID-19 ended on December 21, 2021.
The NYS eviction moratorium was extended until January 15, 2022, and has not been further extended at this time. Tenants who have submitted the Hardship Declaration should respond to any court notices they receive indicating that their case is scheduled for a Housing Court hearing.
Free legal advice and other assistance continues to be available to all New York City residential renters through HRA’s Office of Civil Justice, which can be reached by calling 311 and asking for the Tenant Helpline.
Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) 2022
As a reminder, Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries will receive a 5.9 percent increase in benefits for 2022, amounting to an additional $92 per month for the average retired worker. The Social Security Administration (SSA) mailed COLA notices throughout December 2021 to retirement, survivors and disability beneficiaries, SSI recipients, and representative payees. The Social Security Administration has published a fact sheet with more information, accessible here.
State OTDA executed mass re-budgets for CA/SNAP and SNAP-only households impacted by the COLA increase along with a Notice of Mass Change to explain the impact of the COLA increase on their benefits.
Additionally, due to the annual Supplemental Security Income (SSI) cost of living adjustment (COLA) that is effective January 1, 2022, OTDA has announced changes in the New York State Nutrition Improvement Project (NYSNIP) standardized benefit levels and in the shelter cost threshold to be considered a high shelter cost. More information is available here.
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 January 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/.
HEAP Emergency Benefit
As of January 3, 2022, applications for HEAP Emergency benefits can be submitted to OTDA. Emergency benefits are available to assist eligible households with a heating emergency or a heat-related domestic emergency. Below are additional details on the program.
All applicants for the HEAP Emergency benefit component may apply via telephone as well as in person at their local Job Center. Applications may not be submitted online.
- Only one Emergency benefit of each type is available per HEAP household for the 2021-2022 season.
- Regular component benefits, if available, must be utilized first to resolve heating emergencies for eligible households.
- Temporary relocation for housing emergencies and propane tank deposits to obtain new propane vendors are also available under the Emergency benefit component.
Individuals may be eligible for an Emergency HEAP benefit if:
- Electricity is necessary for the heating system or thermostat to work and is either shut-off or scheduled to be shut off; or
- Electric or natural gas heat is off or scheduled to be shut-off; or
- An individual is out of fuel or, has less than one quarter tank of fuel oil, kerosene or propane or has less than a ten (10) day supply of wood, wood pellets, corn, or other deliverable heat source.
and
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Income is at or below the current income guidelines as outlined here or an applicant receives Family Assistance, Safety Net Assistance, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP) or Code A Supplemental Security Income.
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The heating and/or electric bill is in the applicants name; and
- The applicant’s household available resources are:
- less than $2,000 if no member of the household is age 60 or older; or
- less than $3,000 if any member of the household is age 60 or older.
Student Loan Payment Pause Extended through May 1, 2022
On December 22, 2021, the U.S. Department of Education extended the student loan payment pause through May 1, 2022.
- a suspension of loan payments
- a 0% interest rate
- stopped collections on defaulted loans
Borrowers are advised not to accept unexpected offers of financial aid or help (such as “pandemic grant” or “Biden loan forgiveness”) Learn how to avoid scams.
NYS Private Health Insurance Application Deadline for 2022
The open enrollment period for New Yorkers to enroll in private health insurance coverage for 2022 is January 31, 2022. Callers can visit www.nystateofhealth.ny.gov for more information.
Childcare Payment Waivers Extended
The Office of Children and Family Services has extended two ACS childcare waivers, allowing HRA to provide payment for an unlimited number of absences and program closures. The waivers, which were were due to end December 31, are now extended through January 2022. The waivers apply to both contract and voucher programs including Day Care Centers, Group Family Day Care, Family Day Care, Legally-Exempt Group Programs, and School Age Child Care. Legally-exempt family child care and in-home child care providers are not eligible to receive payment for program closures, but are eligible for payment for absences.
New York State Homeowners Assistance Fund
New York State has launched the Homeowners Assistance Fund to provide up to $539 million to help eligible homeowners prevent mortgage delinquency, default, foreclosure, and displacement. Applications are being accepted as of Monday, January 3, 2022.
Designed and administered by New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR), the NYS Homeowners Assistance Fund (HAF) will target low- to moderate-income homeowners who are behind on mortgage payments, property taxes, water or sewer bills, as well as owners of cooperative or condo units behind on maintenance fees, and manufactured homeowners behind on chattel loans or retail installment contracts.
Eligible applicants may receive financial assistance to catch up on missed housing payments, to reduce mortgage debt to make monthly mortgage payments more affordable, and for homeowners who are unemployed, assistance with up to six months of future housing payments. Eligible applicants must have household incomes at or below 100 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI) and must be at least 30 days delinquent on monthly housing payments for their primary residence. Awards will be capped at $50,000 per household. Assistance will be structured as a five-year, non-interest, non-amortizing forgivable loan. If the homeowner remains in the home for a period of five years, the loan will be fully forgiven.
Reduced Fair Metrocards for Seniors and People with Disabilities – Online Application
Seniors and people with disabilities can now apply for a Reduced-Fare MetroCard online. Learn more here.
As a reminder, this program is separate from the Fair Fares program which can be accessed here.
Fair Fares NYC Updates
The Fair Fares NYC program offers eligible New York City residents a 50% discount on eligible transportation. Fair Fares NYC clients may now request an in-person appointment to:
- Submit an application or renewal,
- Upload documentation,
- Obtain a replacement Fair Fares card, or
- Disenroll from Fair Fares.
Clients will be able to request an in-person appointment by calling 311.
Providing Menstrual Products to New Yorkers in Temporary Shelter
In December 2021, Governor Hochul signed legislation requiring providers of temporary shelter that are reimbursed from state or state-administered grants or funds to provide menstrual products to residents who need such products, at no cost to the residents. Providers of temporary shelter who are subject to this requirement include, but are not limited to: family shelters, shelters for adults, emergency apartments, and safe houses for refugees. Additionally, hotels that are reimbursed from state or state-administered grants or funds are subject to this requirement. Providers of temporary shelter must make residents aware that menstrual products are available on site free of charge.
Community-wide Conference Call
We look forward to your continued participation on our weekly briefing calls and your ongoing work to help make sure that the critical information shared here and in our weekly calls is being communicated to our shared clients.
The information contained in this communication is a synopsis of what was shared on our weekly call as well as new developments. 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 page.
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 weekly calls, please do not hesitate to reach out to the Office of Advocacy and Outreach at DSSoutreach@dss.nyc.gov.
In partnership,
Gary Jenkins
DSS Commissioner
New York City Department of Social Services
