COMMUNITY PARTNERS: DSS Weekly Update

April 28, 2023

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, sign up here to be added to the list of invitees for our quarterly community call and sign up here be added to our distribution list to receive this weekly communication. The next community call will be held on June 6, 2023, at 4 pm. Invites with the Zoom link will be sent the week prior.

Important updates as well as an ongoing synopsis of the information shared in prior communications are on our DSS Community Updates page. I encourage you to use and share this link to answer questions on the many topics we have covered.

Cash Assistance Application Interviews On-Demand

HRA is rolling out a new on-demand system for Cash Assistance applications. Applicants as well as recipients of Cash Assistance who submit a new application or a recertification will be able to complete the Cash Assistance interview by calling for an interview rather than waiting for a call from HRA. This new on-demand interview model launched on April 17, 2023, and will be rolling out to serve all new and existing clients. During this phase in period, clients who should be using the on-demand interview system will be provided detailed instructions on how to do so. In order to optimize roll-out, only those clients and applicants who receive instructions with a phone number to call should be utilizing this option. We look forward to the completion of this implementation period when we can welcome all clients and applicants to utilize this new service. We will continue to provide updates here.

ACCESS HRA Updates

ACCESS HRA is now offering the following new features:

Medicaid Renewals – most Medicaid only clients with authorizations ending June 30, 2023 or later will now be able to submit their renewal online by logging in to ACCESS HRA. This provides an online alternative to completing the MAP-206F or MAP-909E
Submit Medicaid renewal documents through the ACCESS HRA mobile app – after submitting their Medicaid renewal questions, clients will see a list of required documents to complete their renewal in the mobile app and client portal. These required documents can now be uploaded using the mobile app.
View Medicaid Notices electronically on the ACCESS HRA client portal and ACCESS HRA mobile app

The ACCESS HRA client portal can be found at www.nyc.gov/accesshra. For the ACCESS HRA User Guide, click here.

Trainings on ACCESS HRA are available for community organizations! Sign up here.

Cooling Assistance Benefit

The application period for the 2023 Cooling Assistance benefit opens on May 1, 2023 and will end close of business on August 31, 2023 or until funds are no longer available (whichever comes first).

Eligible households receive a cooling benefit of up to $800 for the purchase and installation of an air conditioner. If one cannot be installed safely, a fan will be provided.

Benefits are provided on a first come first served basis to eligible applicants. Applicants are only eligible for a Cooling Assistance Benefit once every five years.

Visit Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) | OTDA (ny.gov) for more information on the Cooling benefit.

HRA Guide to Services

As a reminder, HRA provides a comprehensive guide to benefits and services offered. The Guide to Services can be found here, and can be ordered for distribution and use on our website.

Municipal agencies should use this link to order, and community partner organizations should use this link for ordering.

NYC Continuum of Care (CoC) Local Competition – Request for Qualifications and Proposals (RFQ+P)

As of April 3, 2023, the NYC Continuum of Care (CoC) released its Local Competition Request for Qualifications and Proposals (RFQ+P) and is now accepting submissions for new projects.

Applicants can apply for new and expansion funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for Rapid Rehousing and Permanent Supportive Housing projects.

Submissions for new project qualifications and proposals will be accepted until 11:59PM on Monday, May 15, 2023.

Early submissions will be accepted until 11:59PM on Monday, May 1, 2023. RFQ+P submissions made before the May 1 early submission deadline can be revised and/or resubmitted by May 15 based on feedback from the NYC CoC team.

Application materials include:

The NYC CoC is holding the following office hour sessions to support new and expansion projects participating in this year’s local competition:

May 5, 2023 1pm – 2pm Click here to register
May 12, 2023 1pm – 2pm Click here to register

Projects will be reviewed from May 15 to May 30. Projects conditionally selected for inclusion in the NYC CoC submission to HUD will be notified on or around June 1.

Special consideration will be given to:

Permanent Supportive Housing projects that:
bolster existing services
serve medically frail or older adults who meet the HUD Chronic Homelessness definition*
leverage other housing funding
Rapid Rehousing projects that:
serve families with children, especially young children
serve young adults formerly in foster care
serve persons with criminal justice involvement
leverage other housing funding

*All participants served by Permanent Supportive Housing projects must meet the HUD Chronic Homelessness Definition.

Please contact the NYC CoC Team at nyc.coc@dss.nyc.gov if you have questions and/or need additional information.

Medicaid Renewals

As a reminder, Medicaid easements were lifted as of April 1, 2023. At this time, the continuous coverage requirement (CCR) and continuation of Medicaid easements are no longer tied to the federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE).

Renewals with authorization end dates through May 31, 2023, will be extended. However, renewals with authorization end dates in June 2023 and beyond must be fully processed (i.e., clients must return their renewal and provide relevant documentation to continue their coverage).

All cases with authorization dates ending June 30, 2023, will undergo a full review with no easements applied. Clients will be required to provide all documentation for application and renewal as was required pre-pandemic.

Beginning on July 1, 2023, all new applications will return to full eligibility review, including full documentation. The following conditions of eligibility will be required for new applications and requests for increases in coverage received on or after July 1, 2023:

Individuals turning 65 must apply for other benefits as a condition of eligibility, including, but not limited to, Medicare, Social Security, and Veteran's benefits.
Districts must resume application of the requirement to pursue all available income and resources as a condition of Medicaid eligibility. This includes the requirement to pursue maximum periodic payments from a retirement account. If a consumer who is eligible to receive periodic payments without incurring a penalty does not show proof of filing for such payments, the consumer is ineligible for Medicaid; the retirement fund cannot be treated as a countable resource if a consumer fails to pursue periodic payments.
Referrals to comply with absent parent requirements will resume effective July 1, 2023.
Individuals with third-party health insurance (TPHI) will again be required to provide information concerning available insurance, and local districts are required to make new cost-effective determinations for possible reimbursement. Information provided regarding terminated or changed TPHI will require verification with the carrier or written documentation to substantiate the termination or changes. Districts should request necessary information whenever they become aware of a possible change or during any renewal process.

Availability of Two Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Cards to Certain SNAP Households

Effective immediately, certain SNAP households are now permitted to have two EBT cards with access to their SNAP benefits. For a SNAP household to be eligible for a second EBT card, the SNAP household must include two parent(s)/guardian(s) who:

Are both on the SNAP case,
Live in the household full-time, and
Are over the age of 18 or, regardless of age, are a parent/guardian of a minor child.

Households that meet the above criteria may request an additional EBT card by:

Calling Infoline at 718-557-1399
Going into a Benefits Access Center or SNAP Center
Going to the Over-the-Counter site at 227 Schermerhorn Street in Brooklyn

The second card does not entitle a SNAP household to any additional SNAP benefits. Both EBT cards are associated with the household’s SNAP case and transactions made using either card will draw down from the same SNAP account. The second EBT card will contain the payee/head of household’s name and the name of the second parent/guardian in the household. Each card will have its own card number.

Extension and Redesignation of Somalia for Temporary Protected Status (TPS)

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced the extension and redesignation of Somalia for Temporary Protected Status (TPS).

The TPS extension and redesignation for Somalia went into effect on March 18, 2023, due to ongoing armed conflict and extraordinary and temporary conditions in Somalia that prevent Somali nationals, and those of no nationality who last habitually resided in Somalia, from returning to Somalia safely.

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 Somalia will not automatically be granted TPS. USCIS is responsible for making the TPS eligibility determination. For information from USCIS regarding TPS, click here or call the USCIS TPS Hotline at 202- 272-1533.

OMNY

OMNY is the MTA’s new contactless fare payment system for public transportation in the New York region. OMNY gives commuters more ways to pay their fares with contactless cards, phones, smart devices and OMNY cards.

The MTA plans to roll out OMNY for Paratransit/Access-A-Ride (AAR), students, Fair Fares, and systemwide across the MTA.

Customers in the MTA’s Reduced-Fare MetroCard program can now make the switch to OMNY and get the same half fare benefit with the contactless credit/debit card or smart device of their choice. Use the digital assistant in the bottom-right of the OMNY website and follow the prompts to switch from Reduced-Fare MetroCard to OMNY. Click here for Reduced-Fare

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

The OMNY website is omny.info and customers can get live help through the Digital Assistant feature. The OMNY customer service team can be reached 7 days a week between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at 877-789-6669.

The website allows customers to register for a free, optional, and secure OMNY account with a personalized dashboard, where they can:

View up to 12 months of their trips and charges
See how close they are to free rides
Refill (and set up auto-refill for) their OMNY cards
Transfer OMNY card balance to a new card if they lose the old one; and
Send a question to OMNY Customer Service, 24/7.

Click here to learn about fares and discounts.

Child Support Pay It Off Program Opens in June

The DSS Office of Child Support Services will be offering its Pay It Off program again for the month of June 2023 (June 1-30th). This program matches dollar for dollar when Noncustodial parents make a minimum payment of $500 towards their permanently assigned debt to the DSS, up to the total DSS debt owed. For those who pay off the principle of a money judgment, will have their DSS interest removed.

Those who sign-up to participate in our Arrears Credit Program will receive a $2,500 sign-on bonus that will be applied to DSS debt that is permanently assigned. More details will be made available soon.

OCSS will be hosting a conference titled, Confronting Structural Racism in the Child Support Program: Listening, Understanding, and Taking Action. It will take place on October 26th, please save the date. More details will be forthcoming.

Employment Opportunities with the City of NY

The City Dept. of Administrative Services (DCAS) manages job recruitment for city government, including examinations for Civil Service. Start at this page, or search for jobs here (to search by agency or area of interest) or here (to search by job ID# or agency). Please find a helpful flyer with more information about applying for HRA open positions which can be shared widely here.

City Services for Asylum Seekers Arriving in NYC

As of April 26, 2023, over 58,300 asylum seekers have gone through the system and been offered a place to rest at night since last spring. Over 36,100 asylum seekers are currently in the City's care. The City has opened 112 emergency shelters and 8 HERRCs to meet this unprecedented need. This does not reflect the total number of asylum seekers in New York City, it does not include those who are staying with family, friends, and networks here after being connected.

Additional information on the City’s efforts to support asylum seekers can be found here.

Ride for Half Price – Fair Fares

Fair Fares NYC is a City program that offers eligible New Yorkers, regardless of immigration status, a 50% discount on subway and eligible bus fares or Access-A-Ride paratransit trips.

Fair Fares is open to all eligible New Yorkers aged 18-64 at or below the Federal Poverty Level without discounted transportation from the MTA or the City. The program’s NYC residency requirement does not include a minimum timeframe. Many of the Department of Homeland Security documents provided to asylees are accepted as proof of identity.

Many Cash Assistance and SNAP recipients can ride for half price. Each non-elderly adult should log into Access HRA or create an account if they are not the head of their case and click “Enroll Now”.

Encourage everyone to ride for half price with Fair Fares by sharing our Social Media Fair Fares toolkit and short video. Share and amplify!

Fair Fares enrollment is simple and can be completed online: Apply for Fair Fares on ACCESS HRA! View the “How to Enroll” videos in English and Spanish

If you need assistance applying or have questions, please visit the Fair Fares website to find a location near you. Fair Fares enrollment assistance is also available at the NYC Asylum Seeker Resource Navigation Center.

Clients who need a replacement card or refund can visit any Fair Fares office or mail their damaged or expired card to:

Fair Fares NYC

P.O. Box 7099

New York, NY 10008-7099

Clients who mail their card must include the following information in the envelope along with the card:

First and last name
Date of Birth
Fair Fares Client ID number

All new and replacement cards are mailed to the address provided by the client.

Fair Fares Updates and Outreach Materials

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

Additional Resources and Information

Information for Federal Student Loan Borrowers

One-time Payment Account Adjustment

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) is providing a “one-time” payment count adjustment to eligible borrowers toward Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) forgiveness plans and Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. This adjustment is in addition to the current payment pause, during which each month counts as a qualifying payment for the IDR and PSLF programs.

ED will count the following past time toward IDR and PSLF forgiveness:

Any months spent in a repayment status, regardless of the payments made, loan type, or repayment plan;
12 or more consecutive months in forbearance or 36 or more cumulative months in forbearance;
months spent in any deferment (with the exception of in-school deferment) prior to 2013;
months spent in economic hardship or military deferments after 2013; and
any time in repayment on earlier loans prior to consolidation of those loans into a consolidation loan.

Borrowers that have accumulated at least 20 or 25 years’ worth of payments or have accumulated 10 years of repayment under PSLF employment and have already certified that employment with ED, will see automatic forgiveness in Spring 2023. All other borrowers will see their accounts updated in 2024. To receive PSLF, a borrower must certify all eligible employment, which can be done at any point, even after the account adjustment.

If you have commercially held FFEL, Perkins, or Health Education Assistance Loans (HEAL) loans, you should apply for a Direct Consolidation loan by December 31, 2023 to benefit from this program.

Fresh Start for Student Loan Borrowers Who Were in Default Before the COVID-19 Pandemic

The ED “Fresh Start” initiative helps eligible defaulted borrowers get their loans in good standing. Fresh Start will continue for one year after the end of the COVID-19 payment pause.

Protecting Borrowers from Scams!

Scammers are contacting New Yorkers promising they will help them get loan discharge, forgiveness, cancellation, or debt relief for a fee. Student loan borrowers never have to pay for help with federal student aid. Learn how to avoid scams.

NYC Financial Empowerment Centers

New Yorkers can get FREE one-on-one professional financial counseling, including assistance with student loans. Income and immigration status do not matter. Learn more and book an appointment today at nyc.gov/TalkMoney.

Year Up Career Series Sessions

Year Up is hosting 90 minute drop-in Career Series Sessions for young people from high school to 18-29 years old to help redefine success, understand the market and their skills, as well as develop a tangible, personalized, and flexible path to achieve their goals:

5/1 and 5/3: Identify skills and understand what stepping stone careers are—and connect the dots between the type of skills they can learn in any opportunity.

Click here to register.

The Isaacs Center – GED Program

The Isaacs Center is currently accepting applicants for their evening GED program. The Issacs Center will be covering 100% of the tuition needed to be a part of these programs. See below for the steps and links needed to move forward with the application process.

GED Program

Must be at least 18 years old
Complete a GED Program Interest Form for more information
After completing an interest form, The Isaacs Center will schedule you for a TABE exam and send you their official application.

Note: there are no required documentation needed for this program.

Summer Rising 2023

Applications for the Summer Rising 2023 program are available as of April 17th. Students in Summer Rising will have access to both academic and enrichment programming over the course of the day, including field trips, arts activities, and outdoor recreation. It is free and available to all NYC students in grades K-8, pending seat availability. For more information and to apply visit:

https://www.schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/summer/grades-k-8

Future Leaders in Public Service Internship Program

The Partnership for Public Service sponsors the Future Leaders in Public Service Internship Program which helps bring diverse young talent to government and offers students the opportunity to apply their educational training to their work at a federal agency.

The program is actively recruiting its fall 2023 cohort to join the National Science Foundation and the Small Business Administration as paid interns—and this year includes a public interest technology track. Undergraduate, graduate and professional students from across all academic disciplines are welcome to apply. Fully remote and in-person opportunities are available.

Applications are due by 6/2.

Parking Tickets Payment Plans

The New York City Department of Finance is now offering online payment plans for parking tickets that have not been paid and are in default – known as judgment debt. Those with $350 and more in parking ticket judgment debt can now enter an online payment plan with DOF to make payments over time instead of paying all at once, which can prevent enforcement actions such as having a vehicle booted or towed.

Entering into an online payment plan with DOF and making payments in installments can prevent future enforcement actions.

Enrollment and eligibility details can be found at: https://www.nyc.gov/site/finance/vehicles/services-payment-plans.page

Lincoln Center – Summer for the City

Lincoln Center is having their second annual Summer for the City festival featuring hundreds of events and thousands of artists in celebration of the vibrant cultural communities of NYC. A majority of “Summer for the City” events are free, but there are also Choose-What-You-Pay ticketed events.

Click here to view their calendar of events and learn more.

NYC Department of Environmental Protection Internships

NYC Dept. of Environmental Protection offers paid and unpaid undergraduate and graduate internships. See the variety of positions and apply at the link; applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

For answers to commonly asked questions about their internships, visit Internship Opportunities FAQs.

Affordable Connectivity Program

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) gives a discount on your household's monthly broadband internet service if you are eligible. Participating broadband providers will apply this discount to your broadband plan.

If eligible, your household can receive:

Up to a $30/month discount on your internet service
A one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer (you will need to pay a copay between $10 and $50)
Only one monthly service discount and one device discount is allowed per household

Your 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 you or your child or dependent participate in certain government assistance programs such as SNAP, Medicaid, WIC, or other programs
If you or your child or dependent already receives a Lifeline benefit
If a child in your household attends an NYC public school that participates in the free or reduced lunch program (all NYC public schools do!)
Note: You do not need to be a U.S. citizen to be eligible. If you do not have a Social Security Number (SSN), you can provide other documents.
Note: Additionally, customers are not required to submit to a credit check.

Find out if you qualify and enroll at getinternet.gov

NYC CERT

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) members receive intensive training in emergency preparedness, fire safety, light search and rescue, disaster medical operations, and more.

If you are 18 or older and want to join NYC CERT, please follow the link below and complete the online application.

The next NYC CERT Basic training cycle is due to begin in late May 2023, so APPLY NOW!

ANHD/Morgan Stanley Community Development Graduate Fellowships

Applications are open until 5/15 for The Association for Neighborhood & Housing Development (ANHD)/Morgan Stanley Community Development Graduate Fellowships.

Nine graduate students in urban planning, public administration, or a related field will be selected and paired with a neighborhood-based ANHD-member community development organization for the school year starting in September. Working on a unique, affordable housing, economic development, or community planning project, the Fellow will gain hands-on experience, skill-building, and build a network of support in the field. Apply now!

Phil for All: NY Philharmonic Ticket Access Program

The NY Philharmonic offers a limited quantity of $10 seats for their 2022–23 concerts, 4-8 weeks in advance, as part of their “Phil for All” program. Those who qualify for $10 seats include:

Current or former US Military
Medicare / Medicaid recipient
SNAP or WIC recipient
Public housing resident
Undocumented New Yorkers

Click here to learn more and apply. Contact their Customer Relations team at (212) 875-5656 or TAP@nyphil.org if you have any questions.

The NYC Public Engagement Unit GetCoveredNYC Event Round-Up

GetCoveredNYC continues to connect New Yorkers to health coverage and health information. Our weekly social media roundup of GetCoveredNYC events helps people find free health care support in-person. This week’s round-up is posted here. Please share widely.

SUNY Queens Educational Opportunity Center (Queens EOC) College Preparation Workshops

The SUNY Queens Educational Opportunity Center (Queens EOC) College Connections Initiative (CCI) is currently providing Online College Preparation workshops to the greater New York Community for residents to enrich their personal awareness, exploration, and preparation to enroll in post-secondary educational institutions as a realistic path to improve their economic conditions while building professional networks to enhance their lives and career opportunities:

How to Access and Complete the College Application

Thursday, May 4, 2023 - 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM / 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Federal/State Financial Aid Application: Getting Started

Thursday, May 18, 2023 - 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM / 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Click here to register. For a list of available trainings and classes, visit their website.

Health-Related Updates

COVID Vaccines

Coronavirus vaccines have been added to the list of routine immunizations recommended by the CDC for children, adolescents and adults.

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

Find a location to receive your booster shot here.

COVID-19 Testing

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

When the public health emergencies end on 5/11/23, Medicare recipients will no longer be eligible for free at-home COVID tests, but those with Part B will be covered for COVID tests done at labs.

Currently, free at-home COVID-19 rapid tests continue to be available to order online and by phone from the Federal Government. Every home in the United States is eligible to order 4 free at-⁠home tests per residential address.

The United States Postal Service will deliver tests to anyone who wants them. All orders in the continental United States will be sent through First Class Package Service.

By Phone

You can get assistance by phone if you are having difficulty accessing the internet or need additional support to place your order.

Agency: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Division: Test Kit Fulfillment Line
Phone Number: (800) 232-0233
Business Hours: Daily: 8 AM - Midnight
Staff is available during business hours. Most languages are available through a representative.

Test-and-Treat

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

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

Federal COVID-19 Resource Website

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

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

AfterCare Program for Long COVID

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

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

Disability Information and Access Line (DIAL)

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

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

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

Resources/Links

DSS Quarterly Community Call: Members of the Department of Social Services' (DSS/HRA/DHS) leadership team will provide important agency updates followed by time for Q&A.
ACCESS HRA Help Desk/Online Support: Resolves ACCESS HRA technical issues and answers benefit/site-related questions.
ACCESS HRA Trainings: The Office of Community Outreach offers trainings and presentations to community-based organizations, elected officials and their staff, and other municipal agencies. These trainings are conducted multiple times per month and allow for flexible scheduling. Click here to view our current offerings and register for an upcoming session.
ACCESS HRA Client Portal: New Yorkers can apply and recertify online for SNAP and Cash Assistance, view benefits, and more.
DSS OneNumber: 718-557-1399
Find a Partner Organization: Community-Based Organizations can help complete applications and screen applicants for eligibility to the various programs. Some locations also assist with submitting documents to DSS electronically. Contact the organization for more information.
DSS Disability Access: If you have a disability, HRA can help by providing supports or accommodations to make getting the services clients need easier. This type of help is called a reasonable accommodation.
Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) Guide to Resources: The Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) has crafted a guide to resources for immigrants, in over a dozen languages.
Action NYC: 1-800-354-0365
Food Help NYC: Free food locations, including food pantries & soup kitchens. Call 311 to find the nearest locations.
NYC Well: Free, confidential mental health support in more than 200 languages, 24/7/365. Call 888-NYC-WELL or text “WELL” to 65173.
Mental Health For All: A comprehensive hub with helplines and services that offer a range of free, direct support to meet the needs of all New Yorkers.
Buildings After Hours: Free in-person information session with DOB staff every Tuesday from 4 PM to 7 PM at your local borough office.
COVID-19 and Other Respiratory Illnesses: Resources, including test kits, treatment, vaccines, and masks available to New Yorkers as New York City experiences high levels of COVID-19, flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and other respiratory viruses.
Notify NYC: Enroll for free in New York City’s dedicated emergency public communications program.
NYC 311: Non-emergency municipal services are available online, by texting 311-692, or by calling 3-1-1 from within the City or 212-NEW-YORK outside the five boroughs. TTY service is also available by dialing 212-504-4115

Community-wide Conference Call

We look forward to your continued participation on our quarterly briefing calls and your ongoing work to help make sure that the critical information shared here and in our quarterly 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 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 calls, or if you would like to be added to our distribution or community call invitation list, please reach out to the Office of Community Outreach at DSSoutreach@dss.nyc.gov.

In partnership,

Molly Wasow Park

DSS Commissioner