April 26, 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 bi-weekly community 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 Tuesday call and sign up here be added to the distribution list for this weekly communication.
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.
Extension of Public Health Emergency
On April 16, 2022, the United States Department of Health and Human Services extended the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency for another 90 days. The renewal will expire on July 16, 2022.
Medicaid Easements and Application Updates
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 888-692-6116.
Medicaid easements have been extended through June 2022. This includes the automatic extension for cases with an authorization that ends in January through June 2022 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 June 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.
Excess income cases will be extended for six months, but will still be expected to meet their surplus to obtain coverage. (Note: Clients with active COVID or in the quarantine may request coverage until they can make a surplus payment.)
How to submit applications:
- Approved Client Representatives can fax Medicaid applications and Medicare Savings applications on behalf of consumers to 917-639-0731
- Medicaid applications and Medicare Savings Program (MSP) 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.
Temporary Expansion of SNAP Eligibility for College Students
With the extension of the public health emergency through July 16, 2022, the amended SNAP federal eligibility qualifications for student now runs through August 16, 2022, or 30 days after the COVID–19 federal public health emergency is lifted.
Students granted eligibility under these amended federal qualifications will maintain student eligibility until the next recertification regardless of whether the emergency declaration is lifted at any time during the certification period.
As a reminder, the Federal Emergency Relief Act temporarily expands the SNAP student eligibility rules by amending the allowable exemptions to the rule in two additional ways:
- A student is eligible if they are eligible to participate in state or federal work-study, regardless of whether the student is actively employed or participating in work-study; and
- Any student that has an "expected family contribution" of $0 may participate in SNAP if otherwise eligible.
The expansion of SNAP eligibility for students applies to both undergraduate and graduate students.
This is a temporary further expansion of the student eligibility criteria for all students regardless of the program or school they are enrolled in. However, as we reported previously, student eligibility was also extended for CUNY students participating in career or technical programs. CUNY students are receiving their Student Verification of Enrollment forms directly through their student account. CUNY is reviewing current enrollment status for all students. Those students who satisfy all of the SNAP requirements for a career and technical education exception will receive the Verification form in their student account. The Student Verification of Enrollment form must be submitted as supporting documentation with a SNAP application.
Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) Promotional Materials
The Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) helps low-income households pay the cost of water and sewer services. The program can assist households who have past due bills (arrears) for water and/or sewer services.
New outreach materials are available to promote the Low-Income Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP), providing information on the types of assistance available and how to apply for the benefits. A brochure, flyer, palm card, and poster have been developed to provide information about the Low-Income Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP, which is administered by the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA).
Documents are available at the following links:
Fair Fares Assistance
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.
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 receiving SNAP benefits in April 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 here.
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.
Additional Resources and Information
ActionNYC! Immigrant Resources
As a part of Immigrant Heritage month, the Office of Refugee and Immigrant Affairs (ORIA) wanted to remind staff of a free NYC resource for our city’s immigrant community: ActionNYC! ActionNYC offers free, confidential immigration legal assistance to all New Yorkers. Services are linguistically and culturally responsive and delivered by a network of more than 30 trusted community-based organizations and legal service providers. Anyone can call the City-funded, free and safe ActionNYC Hotline at 800-354-0365, or call 311 and say "ActionNYC," between 9AM to 6PM, Monday to Friday, to get:
- Answers to immigration-related questions
- Information on immigration policy
- Connections to City-funded, free and safe immigration legal help including comprehensive immigration legal screenings and legal representation
- Referrals to other community-based resources and support services
Summer Boost NYC Charter School Program
Private and philanthropic partners have committed $50 million to help charter schools create or expand summer school programs that will provide a coverage of an average of five weeks of additional instruction in math and English. All charter schools serving students in grades K through 12 are eligible to receive funding for the program, which will target students who are most in need of extra help.
Schools can apply for funding and find a schedule of information sessions through the website, summerboostnyc.org
NY Safe Incubator: NYCHA Entrepreneur Training Program
Applications are now open for the NY Safe Incubator program, a free business training program offered by the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Progress Playbook. The program is a 6-month intensive training experience for entrepreneurs dedicated to improving community safety and well-being in NYC, and is open to MAP NYCHA residents 18 years and older who have a business or a business idea that focuses on neighborhood safety and well-being.
Participants can receive business training, mentorship, tools, support services, and startup capital to complete a series of business projects, including $4,500 in funding and a chance to win $15,000 in a Community Safety Pitch Competition.
Sign up for upcoming Information Session here.
Assistance with Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
The Social Security Administration is offering a new tool to provide assistance with applications for Social Security Income (SSI). The process takes 5 – 10 minutes and asks for basic information about the person who wants to apply for SSI. A Social Security representative will schedule an appointment and send the appointment information by mail (or email, if provided). In some cases, a Social Security representative may call to schedule the appointment.
Using this tool documents intent to file an application and establishes a protective filing date. The protective filing date determines when payments can begin if an application is approved.
Certain third parties, such as parents of minor children, family members, representatives, or members of advocacy groups, can also use the tool to express interest about applying for SSI on behalf of someone they are helping.
If you have any questions, please email your Public Affairs Specialist, or regional contacts at ny.rpa@ssa.gov.
DOE - Family and Caretaker Zoom Series
- May 11 - “Responding to Increased Community Violence”
- June 8 - “Tips on how to Advocate for your Student's Needs in School”
DOE - Gifted and Talented Program Expansion
Mayor Adams and Chancellor Banks announced the expansion of Gifted and Talented programs citywide. There will be an additional 100 kindergarten seats and 1,000 third-grade seats, expanding both entry points to all districts. Through this expansion and updates to the admission process, the city’s Gifted and Talented program will serve every community citywide for the first time. Applications for both programs open on May 31st.
CUNY College Now
For the 2022 summer semester, CUNY College Now will be offering a mix of online, hybrid, and in-person courses open to NYC public high school students entering grades 11 or 12 in September 2022. Participation is free. For more information, click here.
Summer Rising 2022: Kindergarten Through Grade 8
Summer Rising is a partnership between the New York City Department of Education (DOE) and the Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD), and will connect elementary and middle school students to fun, culturally relevant, hands-on experiences to strengthen their academic, social, and emotional skills. Summer Rising is free and open to any NYC student currently in kindergarten through grade 8. Seats are limited, so families should apply early to secure a seat at their preferred location. Students who are required by their school to attend over the summer are guaranteed a spot.
The program will begin July 5, and will run Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. during the months of July and August. Students will be provided with free breakfast and lunch, with snacks available in the afternoon on request. Learn more at nyc.gov/SummerRising. Beginning on April 25, applications will start being accepted for the program on a first come first served basis. For questions or support with the application, contact summer@schools.nyc.gov.
CUNY Citizenship Application Event
COVID-19 Related Updates
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.
COVID-19 Vaccine Pop-up Sites for Children ages 5-11
Due to rising concerns over the BA-2 variant, NYC Health and Hospitals is partnering with NYC DOE to offer 100 pop up sites for children 5-11. These sites are only offering the pediatric dose of the vaccine. Get more information in multiple languages here and find a location here. Sites operate each day from 8:00am to 5:00pm.
- Proof of immigration status or a social security number is not needed to get vaccinated. Identification is only required for proof of age.
- Health insurance is not needed to get vaccinated.
- Students aged 5 to 11 must be accompanied to the vaccination site by a parent or guardian, or another adult caregiver designated by the parent or guardian. Consent must be provided.
NYC Test & Trace Updates
COVID-19 Quarantine and Isolation Guidance Tool
The NYC Test & Trace Corps has expanded its COVID-19 Quarantine and Isolation Guidance Tool to offer personalized guidance to New Yorkers who were exposed to or test positive for COVID-19. The COVID-19 Quarantine and Isolation Guidance Tool will provide a mechanism for New Yorkers to navigate complex COVID-19 guidance based on their history of infection, date of exposure or positive test, symptoms and vaccination status. After answering a few short questions, users will receive quarantine or isolation guidance specific to their circumstances. In addition, they will be directed to appropriate resources on the Test & Trace Corps COVID-19 Resources page to connect them to whatever support they may need, including testing, a free hotel room or meal delivery to safely separate from others, medical treatment and assistance taking leave from work to quarantine or isolate. Learn more here and access the tool here.
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.
Second Round of At-Home COVID Tests Delivery
At this time every home in the U.S. is eligible to order 4 free at-home COVID-19 tests. Since March 7, every home in the U.S. is able to order an additional set of 4 tests. Order Free At-Home Tests. For help placing an order for at-home tests, individuals can call 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489).
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.
COVID-19 Testing
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.
As a reminder, each household in the U.S. can access four free COVID-19 at-home tests shipped directly to their home at no cost. Visit COVIDtests.gov to order tests or learn more about testing.
Call 800-MEDICARE to report suspected fraud.
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
Testing in NYC
Through NYC Test & Trace Corps, 14 landmark City cultural sites and 27 branches of The New York Public Library, Queens Public Library and Brooklyn Public Library will receive at-home COVID-19 test kits to give to New Yorkers free of charge. Weekly walk-up distributions began Monday, February 14. Tests will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis and limited to one per person while supplies last. Test & Trace will update its testing website daily with the hours and pick up locations of cultural sites and library branches with tests available. The distribution of tests will not impact other aspects of cultural site or library branch operations. A list of participating cultural sites and their hours is available here.
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.
Community-wide Conference Call
We look forward to your continued participation on our bi-weekly briefing calls and your ongoing work to help make sure that the critical information shared here and in our bi-weekly calls is being communicated to our shared clients.
The information contained in this communication is a synopsis of what was shared on our bi-weekly call 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 bi-weekly 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
