August 11, 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.

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 September 19, 2023, at 4:30 pm. Invites with the Zoom link are sent the week prior to the calls.

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.

Using ConnectEBT and EBT Customer Service To Help Keep EBT Cards Secure

Did you know that HRA clients can monitor their recent EBT transactions and review transaction history through the ConnectEBT website, mobile application, or by calling EBT Customer Service? 

Conducting regular reviews of EBT transactions can help clients manage benefits, keep their cards secure, and prevent fraudulent activity. There are several ways for a client to review their EBT transaction history: 

• Checking EBT transaction history at the ConnectEBT website or by downloading the ConnectEBT mobile app (available for download in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store); or
• Calling the toll-free EBT Customer Service line at 888-328-6399. 
• Through the Customer Service line, clients can access an automated menu that allows them to hear their ten most recent transactions. Clients can also use this feature to request a two-month statement of their account history. 
• Additionally, clients can also review transactions with and request a two-month statement of their account activity from a live Customer Service representative. For transactions that were more than 15 months ago, clients will need to speak to a Customer Service Representative. 

Please see the LDSS-5066 Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Cardholder On-line EBT Account User Guide for detailed instructions on account creation and how to view/obtain transaction history: English, Spanish, Italian, Korean, Russian, Haitian Creole, Chinese, and Arabic. 

EBT transaction history will include mostly transactions that clients remember making purchases that they’re familiar with, from stores that they frequent. However, there is also the possibility that they may see transactions that look strange—from stores they’ve never shopped at, maybe even in states that they’ve never visited. These kinds of transactions may indicate potential fraudulent activity known as electronic benefit theft or “skimming,” “phishing,” or “card cloning.”

Should a client believe they’ve been a victim of electronic benefit theft, they should immediately report their card as stolen. To file a report, request a new card, and change the PIN associated with their account, clients should call EBT Customer Services at 888-328-6399 or go to the ConnectEBT website or mobile application. 

Fair Fares Bronx and Queens Borough Office Relocations

Bronx Office

As of July 31, 2023, the Bronx office has been relocated to 888 Garrison Avenue, 3rd Floor. Office operations at 555 East Tremont Avenue closed on July 28, 2023.

Queens Office

Effective August 28, 2023, the Queens office will be relocated to 165-08 88th Avenue, 3rd floor. The current location at 32-20 Northern Boulevard will close on Friday, August 25, 2023, as of 5:00 PM. Subsequently, office operations will resume at the new location on Monday, August 28, 2023, at 9:00 AM.

FFNYC borough office locations in Brooklyn, Manhattan and Staten Island will remain the same. Currently, FFNYC borough office locations are co-located in CA and SNAP locations, one in each borough of New York City. Click here to see an updated listing of all FFNYC office locations.

As a reminder, clients can avoid unnecessary trips to our offices by using our remote or online services through ACCESS HRA to complete and submit Fair Fares applications and renewals, submit supporting documentation, report a Fair Fares NYC MetroCard lost or stolen, and other issues.

Contact DSSoutreach@dss.nyc.gov with any questions about the relocation in relation to client services.

Free Head Start and Early Head Start Programs for SNAP Households

Head Start and Early Head Start programs are designed to provide free, comprehensive services for children age birth through five years and their families. Core services focus on early learning, health, nutrition, and family well-being. Early Head Start programs are for infants, toddlers, and pregnant women, and provide up to 10 hours of care. Head Start preschool programs primarily serve three and four-year-old children, which include up to 6 to 8 hours of care. All services are free for those eligible and all meals are included.

Congress established eligibility criteria in the Head Start Act to include families with incomes at or below the federal poverty level and families eligible for public assistance. Prior to this change in Head Start policy, SNAP participation and eligibility was excluded from the term “public assistance”, requiring SNAP households to verify their income. Previous policy only considered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) as “public assistance” in determining categorical eligibility for Head Start programs.

Now SNAP households are allowed to demonstrate their Head Start eligibility through providing verification of their SNAP receipt or eligibility and are no longer required to verify their income twice for programs with similar requirements. To be deemed categorically eligible for Head Start services, SNAP households must provide acceptable verification such as a copy of a SNAP notice of approval, other documentation of eligibility or benefits from a local district office, or proof of an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card with a SNAP case number.

To find Head Start programs in your county, visit: https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/center-locator.

Click here for more information about Head Start and Early Head Start programs. For more information about SNAP eligibility for Head Start programs, visit: https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/ersea/article/snap-eligibility-head-start-services.

Name Change of Crotona Center

Effective Monday August 14th, 2023, the Crotona Center and the Grand Concourse Center, both HASA sites, located at 1790 Grand Concourse in the Bronx, will be consolidated and operate as one site under the name: Grand Concourse Center. The consolidated center will be located at 1790 Grand Concourse, 3rd floor, Bronx NY 10457, in the same building where both sites are currently located. All HASA Crotona Center cases will be serviced at the consolidated Grand Concourse Center. Please note that no action is required on the part of clients of this center and there will be no impact on benefits or services.

As a reminder, most non-emergency issues can be handled over the telephone or by using Access HRA. However, should clients need to visit the center in person, upon arriving at 1790 Grand Concourse go straight to the 3rd floor reception desk.

Name Change of Jerome and Kingsbridge Centers

Effective Monday, August 14^th, 2023, the Jerome Center and the Kingsbridge Center, both HASA sites, located at 888 Garrison Avenue in the Bronx, will be consolidated and operate as one center under the name: Garrison Center. The consolidated center will be located at 888 Garrison Avenue, 3^rd floor, Bronx NY 10474, in the same building where both sites are currently operating. All Jerome and Kingsbridge Center HASA cases will be serviced at the consolidated Garrison Center. Please note that no action is required on the part of clients of these centers and there will be no impact on benefits or services.

As a reminder, most non-emergency issues can be handled over the telephone or by using Access HRA. However, should you need to visit the center in person, upon arriving at 888 Garrison Avenue go straight to the 3^rd floor reception desk.

LIHWAP Application Acceptance Period Closing Date

The application acceptance period for Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) will close Thursday, August 31, 2023. Applications submitted or postmarked through Thursday, August 31, 2023, will be accepted and processed consistent with program rules. Applicants may continue to upload required documentation through https://waterassistance.otda.ny.gov/ for pending submitted applications.

For more information, please visit Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) | OTDA (ny.gov).

HEAP Cooling Assistance Component Closed

The 2022-23 HEAP Cooling Assistance Component (CAC) closed on Friday, July 14, 2023 due to funding depletion preventing the continuation of the program for this cooling season. All applications postmarked and received on or before the deadline are being processed.

CityFHEPS Landlord Incentive Bonus

The NYC Department of Housing and Preservation & Development (HPD) has designated certain zip codes in NYC as expanded housing opportunity areas. Because rents tend to be higher in these zip codes, CityFHEPS is now offering a landlord bonus of two month’s rent to landlords in these zip codes who accept a CityFHEPS voucher holder at their market rate rent. Stabilized rents already at or below the CityFHEPS maximum are not eligible for this bonus. This incentive will be available until at least December 31, 2023.

Previously, this incentive was only for one month’s rent and expired on June 30, 2023.

Waiver Extensions – SNAP and Cash Assistance Telephonic Signatures

The temporary adjustment to the requirements for recording telephonic signatures for SNAP applications filed over the telephone or submitted without a signature has been extended. The waiver will now expire June 30, 2024. While this SNAP adjustment is in effect, CA, or Medicaid case applications may also be accepted over the telephone.

To apply by telephone, applicants should reach out to DSS One Number (formerly Infoline) to be referred for assistance.

The telephonic signature waiver was previously set to expire on June 30, 2023, following the May 11, 2023, lifting of the federal PHE.

Employment Opportunities with the City of NY

Join the NYC Department of Social Services! Find out how rewarding it is to serve fellow New Yorkers with care and compassion.

Apply for the Senior Policy Advisor position at IDNYC.

• Search Job I.D. 583867 at nyc.gov/jobs or via this link: https://on.nyc.gov/423f2sM

To view jobs available with the City at any time, 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 August 6, 2023, over 98,500 asylum seekers have gone through the system and been offered a place to rest at night since last spring. Over 57,300 asylum seekers are currently in the City's care. The City has opened 198 emergency shelters, including 13 large scale humanitarian relief centers. 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

Big Apple Connect Program Expansion

More than 330,000 NYCHA residents in 150,000 households citywide now have access to free, fast, reliable, and safe broadband internet and cable through Big Apple Connect. As of August 1, 2023, the program was expanded to the 17 public housing developments listed below:

• 303 Vernon Avenue (Brooklyn)
• Atlantic Terminal Site 4B (Brooklyn)
• Baruch Houses (Manhattan)
• Baruch Houses Addition (Manhattan)
• De Hostos Apartments (Manhattan)
• Jefferson (Manhattan)
• Kingsborough Houses (Brooklyn)
• Kingsborough Extension (Brooklyn)
• Manhattanville Houses (Manhattan)
• Morrisania Air Rights (Bronx)
• Red Hook East (Brooklyn)
• Red Hook West (Brooklyn)
• Riis Houses (Manhattan)
• Riis Houses II (Manhattan)
• Saint Nicholas (Manhattan)
• Wald (Manhattan)
• Woodson (Brooklyn)

A full listing of Big Apple Connect eligible NYCHA developments are available here.

NYCHA residents without existing home internet are able to sign up for Big Apple Connect with either Optimum or Spectrum (service provider will depend on the location). Existing Optimum and Spectrum customers will have their bills reduced to as low as $0, as monthly internet and basic cable TV charges are eliminated.

NYCHA residents in eligible developments are eligible to receive a package which includes:

• FREE internet connections with download speeds of up to 300 Mbps
• FREE wireless router
• FREE modem
• FREE basic cable TV
• FREE cable box and remote control

Click here for more information and to check your eligibility.

The West Side Commons Job Opportunities

The West Side Commons, an educational equity nonprofit, has been awarded a VISTA AmeriCorps grant and is hiring for the following positions:

• Community Engagement Coordinator
• Student Success Coordinator
• Partnerships Coordinator
• Sustainability Coordinator

Click here to learn more about each position. Email resumes to specialprojects@westsidecommons.org.

Summer Streets 2023

Summer Streets is an annual celebration of New York City's streets.

Summer Streets takes place across the five boroughs on five Saturdays between 7 am and 1 pm. Miles of NYC’s streets are open for people to play, walk, and bike. Attendees are encouraged to take a break along the route at any of the rest stops to enjoy free activities.

Summer Streets provides space for healthy recreation and encourages New Yorkers to use more sustainable forms of transportation.

To view the Summer Streets schedule, rest stops, and sponsors, click here.

NYC Asylum Application Help Center Job Opportunities

The City’s Asylum Application Help Centers are hiring application assistants—who will work with applicants to answer questions—and experienced immigration lawyers to supervise application assistants and provide guidance. Individuals interested in temporary assignments as Asylum Application Assistants or Supervising Attorneys should click here learn more and apply.

Bilingual in Spanish and English is strongly preferred.

To apply, visit www.oncallcounsel.com/asylum.

There are also positions for non-attorneys, law students, and others.

Institute for Career Development Opportunities

The Institute for Career Development nonprofit offers free technology training and job placement for young adults with a disability seeking to start a career in technology. Their five-month training that prepares students with disabilities for a career in desktop support, in which students receive robust classroom instruction, work readiness training, a CompTIA A+ certification, and support in securing a career-track job in the technology sector. Learn more at the link above or apply here.

NYC Summer Meals Program

This year’s Summer Meals program started on June 28 and is available throughout New York City to serve free breakfast and lunch to all New Yorkers ages 18 years and under. Meals are available at select public schools, community pool centers, parks, and food trucks. No registration, documentation, or ID is necessary to receive a free breakfast or lunch meal.

Weekly lunch menus are available online. Click here to learn more.

GrowNYC Fresh Food Box

Half-priced Fresh Food Boxes are available for customers shopping with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. SNAP recipients can receive the same great bag of produce for just $7 when paying with an EBT card at every GrowNYC Fresh Food Box site.

GrowNYC Fresh Food Box sites are part of a network of food access retail sites operated by GrowNYC, along with Greenmarkets and Farmstands. Through Fresh Food Box, customers pay one week in advance for a pre-assembled box of healthy, fresh fruits and vegetables grown primarily by regional farmers and sourced through GrowNYC Wholesale. The program allows customers to take advantage of the cost benefit of buying in a group and enjoy the flexibility of a weekly commitment while supporting farmers.

For more information visit https://www.grownyc.org/freshfoodbox.

New York Historical Society - Free Citizenship Classes

The New-York Historical Society (NYHS) is offering free citizenship classes to green card holders—using paintings, objects, and documents from the collections of NYHS—to teach U.S. history and the questions for the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services naturalization exam. Classes are online or virtual, for six or ten weeks.

Visit www.nyhistory.org/citizenship ,call (212) 873-3400 ext.511 or email thecitizenshipproject@nyhistory.org for more information.

The Mayor’s Public Engagement Unit Launches Live Operator Tenant Helpline 

PEU has launched an important new resource for New Yorkers: a live operator Tenant Helpline. In response to the ongoing challenges faced by tenants, the implementation of live calls ensures a constant and reliable channel of assistance. This dedicated helpline aims to provide critical aid to New York tenants confronting potential eviction, landlord harassment, or substandard living conditions. Read the press release here.

The Mayor’s Public Engagement Unit GetCoveredNYC Event Round-Up

GetCoveredNYC connects New Yorkers to health coverage and health information. We table at libraries, community centers, and HRA offices in every borough. Check out this week’s events on our website here. Please share widely.

Health Insurance Renewals with GetCoveredNYC

Since 2020, Medicaid, Essential Plan, and Child Health Plus health insurance plans have been automatically renewed. Now, automatic renewals have ended. Also, New York State is resuming eligibility reviews for these public health insurance plans.

Over the next year, New Yorkers with Medicaid, the Essential Plan, and Child Health Plus will have to renew their health insurance plans or find a new plan if they no longer qualify. When your turn comes, you'll have to renew or re-enroll to stay insured.

GetCoveredNYC is here to help you navigate every step of the way. Learn more at: on.nyc.gov/GreatRenewal

GetCoveredNYC and Health Literacy

Health insurance language can be confusing and difficult to understand. Our GetCoveredNYC Specialists are here to educate New Yorkers on all things health insurance, including definitions. To supplement our one-on-one outreach and case management, we’re excited to share our new health literacy campaign to help New Yorkers understand complex terms! Understanding the ins and outs of health insurance is critical to making informed decisions about your health. GetCoveredNYC offers New Yorkers the tools to take ownership of their health and we encourage everyone to learn more on our website: on.nyc.gov/HealthInsuranceVocab.

The Mayor’s Public Engagement Unit and NYC Aging

The NYC Cabinet for Older New Yorkers is committed to making New York City an age-inclusive community that promotes and supports the health of its older adults. Through a collaboration with Cabinet member agencies NYC Health + Hospitals, NYC Health, and Mayor’s Public Engagement Unit, the Health Subcommittee created a printable, double-sided Pocket Guide of NYC Aging Services that was used to train front-line professionals who engage with older adults. To help other professionals better serve older residents, please find a downloadable brochure on Cabinet’s website by clicking here.

Health Insurance and Mental Health Services

GetCoveredNYC Specialists are here to make sure that enrolling in health insurance is easy to navigate. Those applying are not alone and can access mental health support with health insurance and there are services available to help applicants navigate the process. For more information, visit on.nyc.gov/MentalHealthAwareness

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 (formerly Infoline): 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.
• Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): WIC gives milk, juice, formula, and other healthy foods to low-income mothers, pregnant women, and young children, regardless of immigration status. If you are a woman who is pregnant, has an infant or child younger than five, or is breastfeeding, you may be eligible for WIC. To learn more about WIC or apply, visit: https://www.health.ny.gov/prevention/nutrition/wic, call the Growing Up Healthy Hotline at (800) 522-5006 or click here to view a list of local WIC agencies.
• 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