December 13, 2022

 

 

Dear Community Partner:

                                          

Thank you for your partnership in our shared commitment to serve New Yorkers in need. We hope that this communication, as well as the community-wide conference calls, continues to serve as an important platform to share information and answer your questions. We will continue our work toward the shared goal of fighting poverty, income inequality, and addressing homelessness in our city with care and compassion for our clients, staff, and provider partners.  

 

As a reminder, please reach out to DSS Outreach at DSSoutreach@dss.nyc.gov to be added to the list of invitees for the community-wide call and sign up here be added to the distribution list for this weekly communication. The next community call will be held on December 13, 2022 at 4 pm. Invites with the Zoom link will be sent the week prior.

 

We continue to share important updates as well as an ongoing synopsis of the information shared in prior communications on our DSS 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. 

 

Monthly DSS Community Call

 

Please find link below to a recording of our last community call held on Tuesday, November 29, 2022. Links to all of the calls we’ve held since April 2020 can be found on our Community Updates webpage. If you are not on the list to receive invitations to the monthly call, please contact DSSoutreach@dss.nyc.gov.

 

Access the audio recording here

Password: Covid-19

 

2023 Standard Medicare Part B Premium Amount

 

On September 27, 2022, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the 2023 premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance amounts for the Medicare Part A and Part B programs, and the 2023 Medicare Part D income-related monthly adjustment amounts.

 

Medicare Part B covers physician services, outpatient hospital services, certain home health services, durable medical equipment, and certain other medical and health services not covered by Medicare Part A. 

 

Each year the Medicare Part B premium, deductible, and coinsurance rates are determined according to the Social Security Act. The standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B enrollees with modified adjusted gross income which is less than or equal to $97,00 for individuals, and less than or equal to $194,00 for couples will be $164.90 for 2023, a decrease of $5.20 from $170.10 in 2022. The annual deductible for all Medicare Part B beneficiaries is $226 in 2023, a decrease of $7 from the annual deductible of $233 in 2022.

 

DHS Code Blue

 

A Code Blue Weather Emergency notice is issued when the temperature drops to 32 degrees Fahrenheit or less between 4 p.m. and 8 a.m., including National Weather Service calculations for wind chill values. No one who is experiencing homelessness and seeking shelter in New York City during a Code Blue will be denied.

 

Code Blue Weather Emergencies include the following options for individuals experiencing homelessness:


  • Shelters: During a Code Blue, shelter is available system-wide to accommodate anyone who is experiencing homelessness homeless and is brought to a shelter by outreach teams. Accommodations are also available for walk-ins.
  • Drop-in centers: All drop-in centers are open 24-hours per day when Code Blue procedures are in effect and will assist as many people as possible for the duration of the emergency. Drop-in staff can also make arrangements for homeless individuals at other citywide facilities.
  • Street homeless outreach: Teams will contact vulnerable individuals on their Code Blue Priority Lists to ensure safety and bring them to shelter. DHS coordinates Code Blue efforts directly with agencies such as DSNY, and the Parks Department, at a borough level.

 

Waiver Extensions

 

As previously announced, OTDA has extended a waiver permitting New Yorkers to submit SNAP and Cash Assistance applications and recertifications by telephone with HRA staff. To submit an application by telephone, applicants should reach out to Infoline to be referred for assistance. The waiver is extended through close of business on February 28th, 2023. 

 

The following waivers are also extended through the same time frame:


  • Domestic violence waivers;
  • Enabling districts with local procedures or other processes that require frequent contact with individuals experiencing homelessness and residing in emergency housing to conduct these contacts via phone, with reduced frequency, as appropriate for the population; and,
  • Allowing temporary modifications to previously approved Case Supervisor Review (CSR) plans.


Notice of Public Hearing and Opportunity to Comment on Proposed Rule

 

HRA is proposing to increase eligibility and simplify the administrative process for the City Fighting Homelessness and Eviction Prevention Supplement (CityFHEPS) program.

 

The public hearing for the proposed rule will take place remotely via Zoom on Tuesday, January 10, 2023 at 10 am. Those who would like to attend the hearing may do so by:

 

Zoom (video and audio): https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86144791528?pwd=SEp0aFNmanhUd1Nab0J5Um1lUmdkdz09. Or at www.zoom.us, click on “join a meeting” and enter meeting ID 861 4479 1528. Passcode is DSS.

 

Phone (audio only): +1 646 876 9923 Meeting ID: 861 4479 1528 Call-in passcode: 844918 


The proposed rule is available on our website, can be viewed at the NYC Rules website http://rules.cityofnewyork.us, and has been published in the city record.

 

Anyone can comment on the proposed rule by: 


  • Website. Comments can be submitted to HRA through the NYC Rules website at rules.cityofnework.us.
  • Email.  comments can be emailed to NYCRules@HRA.nyc.gov. Please include “CityFHEPSAmendments” in the subject line. 
  • Mail. Comments can be mailed to: HRA Rules, c/o Office of Legal Affairs, 150 Greenwich Street, 38th Floor, New York, NY 10007 
  • By speaking at the hearing. Individuals can sign up to speak at the hearing by calling 919-221-7220, or by emailing NYCRules@hra.nyc.gov on or before Thursday, January 5 at 5 pm. Speakers will be called in the order that they signed up and will be able to speak for up to two minutes.

 

The deadline to submit comments is midnight on Tuesday, January 10, 2023. Comments, including those sent by mail must be received by HRA on or before Tuesday, January 10, 2023. 

 

Those that require assistance must inform DSS in advance if language interpretation services or a reasonable accommodation to participate in the hearing is required. Please submit requests on or before Thursday, January 5, 2023 at 5 pm by email at NYCRules@HRA.nyc.gov or by phone at 929-221-7220. 

 

Mayor Adams Announces Plan to Provide Care for Individuals Suffering From Untreated Severe Mental Illness Across NYC

 

On November 29th, 2022, New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced a series of initiatives aimed at addressing the ongoing crisis of unsheltered individuals experiencing severe mental illnesses across New York City and throughout the subway system. The proposed initiatives include:


  • a mayoral directive which, in accordance with state law and court precedence, clarifies the responsibility of city agencies and contractors to provide care when severe mental illness prevents an individual from meeting their basic needs;
  • an 11-point mental health legislative agenda that takes aim at gaps in New York State’s Mental Hygiene Law that intensify the city’s challenges in meeting the needs of its most vulnerable residents with severe mental illness and;
  • the launching of a tele-consult phone line to provide first responders in the field with direct access to clinicians.

 

Measures outlined in the legislative agenda include:


  • making the law explicit that a person requires care when their mental illness prevents them from meeting their own basic needs;
  • mandating that hospital clinicians consider a range of factors when assessing a patient’s need for involuntary admission or retention, including known treatment history and current ability to adhere to outpatient treatment;
  • requiring hospitals to screen all psychiatric patients prior to discharge for their need to receive “assisted outpatient treatment” (court-order care under “Kendra’s Law”);
  • allowing a broader range of trained mental health professionals to perform evaluations and community removals of individuals in crisis and;
  • requiring hospitals to notify known community providers when their clients are admitted or released and collaborate with community providers in preparing patients for discharge.

 

Currently, in advance of the winter months, the Adams administration has begun deploying subway clinical co-response teams—made up of joint patrols of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) and the New York City Police Department (NYPD) to patrol high traffic subway stations and respond with a clinician-led approach to those appearing to have serious mental health issues.

 

Finally, in partnership with New York State, the city will also provide comprehensive training to all clinicians, outreach workers, and first responders to ensure compassionate care that could potentially include involuntary removals when interacting with individuals in distress suffering from severe mental illness

 

State Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP)

 

The 2022-2023 New York State budget includes additional funding for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP). As a result of the additional funding, the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) is actively reviewing and processing eligible ERAP applications submitted through September 30, 2022.

Applications from subsidized housing tenants whose rent is limited to a certain percentage of income (including public housing, section 8, and FHEPS) are not currently able to be paid. State law requires that these applications be paid after all other eligible applicants have been reviewed and paid. Therefore, at this time, none of the subsidized housing applications can be paid regardless of the date their application was submitted. Residents of public housing are urged to contact their public housing authority to determine if their rent can be adjusted retroactively based on a previous change in circumstances, including a reduction in income.


The following applications submitted to the ERAP portal will be denied:


  • Households that have income over 80 percent of the area median income
  • Households that have already received 12 months of ERAP assistance for rental arrears

 

SNAP Emergency 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 December 2022. The emergency allotment will be the difference between their budgeted allotment and the maximum allotment for their household size or $95, whichever is greater. Further information is available here. As a reminder, these benefits are not on a regular schedule. If clients want to know when their emergency SNAP allotments are available, they can check their available SNAP balance at https://otda.ny.gov/workingfamilies/ebt/.

 

These emergency allotments are scheduled to continue for one month beyond the end of the federal public health emergency, currently scheduled to expire January 13, 2023.

 

Multi-Generational Family Pandemic Payment/Pandemic Emergency Assistance Program (PEAF) Benefit Issuance

 

As we reported previously, the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) made an additional payment of the Pandemic Emergency Assistance Fund (PEAF) on September 29, 2022. These payments were issued directly to the Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cash account of the household.

 

These payments expire after 90 days from the date of issuance. As such, these funds will expire at the end of December if they are not used. 

 

As a reminder, the following households received a payment of $1,060 per eligible older individual for this PEAF disbursement:

 

  • The older adult is 55 years-old or older during the month of August 2022
  • The older adult is active on an open temporary assistance case, which also includes at least one active child 17 or under at any time during the month of August 2022, and
  • The temporary assistance case remains open on the date of issuance.


Households eligible for these one-time, non-assistance payments received a letter from OTDA informing them of the payment and of their rights to an OTDA administrative review.


Health Insurance: Facilitated Enrollment for Older Adults and People with Disabilities

 

Free enrollment assistance is available to help New Yorkers apply for Medicaid and the Medicare Savings Program, which helps cover Medicare costs if you are:


  • 65 or older
  • Living with a disability899
  • Visually impaired


To schedule a telephone enrollment appointment, please call 347-396-4705. Help is available in many languages, regardless of immigration status.

 

Medicaid Income Eligibility Expansion for Older Adults and People with Disabilities

 

In January 2023, Medicaid income eligibility will expand for people who are 65 and older or living with a disability. Currently, a single person and a married couple are eligible for Medicaid at $934/month and $1,367/month, respectively. In January 2023, a single person will be eligible at $1,563/month and a married couple at $2,106/month.


Income eligibility will also expand for Medicare Savings Programs helping more people to pay for Medicare costs.


Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) Disbursement

 

State OTDA has issued an additional P-EBT benefit to 98,000 cases with 121,000 kids on approximately November 15, 2022. These P-EBT benefits are for any child under the age of 6 and on a SNAP case that is not attending school (did not receive P-EBT benefits previously because they were not on a school roster). These payments are visible to clients via the EBTFresh or EBTconnect sites.

 

Those who have received these payments should direct questions to the OTDA P-EBT Food Benefits Helpline at 1-833-452-0096.


Winter Electricity and Gas Bill Increases – Con Edison & National Grid


The NYC Mayor’s Office of Climate & Environmental Justice is anticipating higher prices for gas and electric services this coming winter. Con Edison & National Grid utility bills are increasing because of geopolitical events, supply constraints, and dynamic market forces which have resulted in an increase to the commodity price of fuel. 


There are financial assistance and payment assistance programs available to help income-eligible customers manage their utility bills:


  • Con Edison’s Energy Affordability Program – apply online or on paper (EnglishSpanishChineseRussian, or Korean)
  • National Grid’s Energy Affordability Program – sign up online or on paper. National Grid offers help through their consumer advocates. Call (718) 643-4050 or email ConsumerAdvocatesNYC@nationalgrid.com.
  • The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) – administered by the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA). Visit the OTDA website or call (800) 342-3009.
  • Emergency Temporary Assistance – may be available for income-eligible customers. Payment of past-due bills may be available if the customer’s utilities are shut off, are about to be shut off, or a 72-hour disconnect notice has been received. Visit OTDANYS myBenefits, or HRA.


Housing Reforms

 

On November 14th, the New York City Mayor’s Office announced a package of new housing reforms intended to help New Yorkers experiencing homelessness exit the shelter system – or avoid it entirely-- and move more quickly into permanent affordable housing.


The reforms include significant improvements to the City Family Homelessness and Eviction Prevention Supplement (CityFHEPS) housing voucher program, the creation of the “Street to Housing” pilot program—that will place New Yorkers experiencing unsheltered homelessness directly into supportive housing, and an expansion of the city’s housing mobility program which helps families with federal housing vouchers access apartments in neighborhoods throughout New York City.


Strengthening CityFHEPS


This package of reforms to the CityFHEPS program will make vouchers more widely accessible and easier to use more quickly. Additional information will be shared as the reforms are implemented:


  • An expansion of CityFHEPS eligibility to include single adults working full-time on minimum wage, even if the income is slightly higher than 200 percent of the federal poverty level,
  • Reducing the monthly contribution by CityFHEPS tenants who move into single-room occupancy units from 30 percent of their income to a maximum of $50 per month,
  • Reducing the number of hours families are required to work to become eligible for CityFHEPS from 30 to 14 hours per week,
  • Covering the cost of apartment application fees for New Yorkers living in New York City Department of Homeless Services shelters,
  • Allowing CityFHEPS voucher-holders who choose to secure an apartment that rents above the CityFHEPS maximum to supplement their voucher by contributing up to 40 percent of their income,
  • Expanding Supplemental Security Income (SSI) eligibility for CityFHEPS families from an adult in the household in receipt of SSI to any household member in receipt of SSI, such as a child,
  • Piloting a limited bonus equal to one month’s rent for landlords renting to CityFHEPS voucher-holders in high-cost neighborhoods,
  • Significantly increasing staffing at the New York City Department of Social Services (DSS) to speed up voucher processing and increase placements,
  • Significantly increasing New York City Human Resources Administration staff presence in Housing Court to ensure that eligible clients receive quick access to financial assistance that will allow them to stay in their homes, and
  • Creating consistency across CityFHEPS, Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHV), and the Special One-Time Assistance (SOTA) program by providing a “unit hold” incentive payment equal to one month’s rent for landlords who agree to hold an apartment while an EHV holder or SOTA participant’s materials are processed.


Street to Housing Pilot


The Street to Housing Pilot program will create a direct pathway for New Yorkers experiencing homelessness to access permanent supportive housing without having to enter the shelter system. The initial pilot will connect up to 80 single adult clients with supportive housing. Once placed, these clients will be supported by experienced not-for-profit partner Volunteers of America of Greater New York (VOA-GNY) as they complete applications to ensure that their current supportive housing placement will become their permanent home.


These supportive housing units will be city-funded during the transitional period when VOA-GNY staff work closely with each client to connect them to vital housing supports, including rental assistance. VOA-GNY will work with participants to connect them to key housing supports, such as rental and cash assistance, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and referrals for health and mental supports. The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) will provide funding for additional social workers at each of the VOA-GNY supportive housing programs to provide dedicated mental health and other health supports.


Federal Housing Vouchers


Using $7 million in grants from Enterprise Community Partners and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) will expand its housing mobility efforts to reach 1,400 families through 2027. HPD’s housing mobility programs support families’ ability to move to new neighborhoods with:


  1. Pre-move counseling, which includes credit counseling, banking, budgeting, saving, and identifying and addressing barriers to accessing housing;
  2. Housing search support, which includes payment of brokers’ fees and assistance in identifying available apartments and attending viewings;
  3. Financial assistance for public transit and moving costs; and
  4. Higher rental assistance payments to reflect market conditions (available to all HPD Section 8 voucher holders in eligible neighborhoods).


Multi-Generational Family Pandemic Payment/Pandemic Emergency Assistance Program (PEAF) Benefit Issuance


The Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) made an additional payment using the pandemic emergency assistance fund (PEAF) allocation allotted to New York State through the American Rescue Plan of 2021. OTDA issued a one-time, non-assistance cash payment to help certain households containing an adult 55 years of age or older with a child under the age of 18 in the household to offset costs incurred during the pandemic. These payments, which were issued on September 29, 2022, were issued directly to the Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cash account of the household.


Households who meet the following eligibility criteria received a payment of $1,060 per eligible older individual:


  • The older adult is 55 years-old or older during the month of August 2022
  • The older adult is active on an open temporary assistance case, which also includes at least one active child 17 or under at any time during the month of August 2022, and
  • The temporary assistance case remains open on the date of issuance.
  • Households eligible for these one-time, non-assistance payments received a letter from OTDA informing them of the payment and of their rights to an OTDA administrative review.


SNAP Change Reporting


The following changes have been made to the SNAP income reporting requirements:


  • Addition of the change in reporting rules for Elderly Simplified Application Project (ESAP) – ESAP households are required to report the following changes within 10 days of the beginning of the month following the month in which such change occurs:
  • changes in household composition including if all adult (age 18 or older) members of the household are no longer age 60 or older or disabled
  • if anyone in the household begins receiving earned income
  • if any household member receives substantial lottery/gambling winnings of $4,250 or more won as a cash prize in a single game before taxes or other withholdings


  • Households subject to ten-day SNAP change reporting rules are now required to report changes in income of $125, up from the prior requirement of $100.

 

Childcare Assistance

 

Families may now be eligible for childcare assistance with income up to 300% of the Federal Poverty Level with an approved reason for seeking child care ("reason for care"). As a reminder, the reason must include at least one of the following:


  • Adult works 10+ hours per week
  • Adult is in an educational or vocational training program
  • Adult has been looking for work
  • Adult lives in temporary housing (priority access)
  • Adult is attending services for domestic violence

 

Eligibility is based on family size, residency, income, and reason for care. Those who are unsure of their eligibility can take this short survey.

 

To apply:


  • Complete the Application for Child Care Assistance (CFWB-012), which can be found on the Administration for Children Services (ACS) Forms for Families page along with step-by-step instructions.
  • Gather the required documents listed on the Child Care Assistance New Application Submission Checklist, which is included in the application packet after the Application and instructions.
  • Mail the completed Application and all required documentation to: NYC Children - EDU, PO Box 40, Maplewood, NJ 07040

 

To receive assistance, applicants can call the ACS Call Center at 212-835-7610, Mon-Fri 8:30am-5:30pm.

 

Eligible applicants will receive a voucher which can be completed and returned to ACS.

 

For families experiencing homelessness, or living in shelter or temporary housing may be eligible for free child care assistance. This includes families who may be sharing the housing of others due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or similar reason.

 

These applicants can apply for a child care voucher, follow the directions on how to apply above, select "Homelessness" as the reason for care in Section 3, and submit the application with a housing questionnaire and all other required documentation to TemporaryHousingRA@acs.nyc.gov. Sending applications to this email address will help expedite processing..

 

The Early Care & Education Programs for Families Experiencing Homelessness Flyer has more information on all early care and education programs available for families in shelter or temporary housing. Translations of the flyer can be found here.

 

HOPE Count 2023

 

The City is actively recruiting volunteers for its annual Homeless Outreach Population Estimate (HOPE) count, which will be held on January 24, 2023 from 10pm – 4 am. This annual survey helps the City support unsheltered New Yorkers and encourage them to come in off the streets and subways. Thanks to the efforts of past volunteers along with the ongoing 24/7/365 efforts of our street outreach teams, we have referred more than 5,000 New Yorkers experiencing unsheltered homelessness to transitional and/or permanent housing in FY22 alone.

 

Volunteers will begin at a HOPE location of their choosing and will then canvass nearby streets and subways. Sign up to be a HOPE 2023 volunteer here.


ACCESS HRA Multi-Factor Authentication


To comply with City Cyber Command, ACCESS HRA's optional multi-factor authentication process will become mandatory when clients try to access their SNAP, Cash Assistance, Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), Fair Fares, or Medicaid case data online in 2023. Currently, clients can provide an email address to optionally set-up multi-factor authentication on ACCESS HRA. In December, this will be expanded so that clients can provide a phone number to receive a text message or phone call to set-up multi-factor authentication. DSS is exploring methods for clients without an email address or phone to access their benefit information online, such as via challenge questions, to be in place when multi-factor authentication becomes mandatory in 2023.


HEAP 2022-2023 Application Submissions

 

As we have reported previously, the regular HEAP season opened on November 1, 2022. More information including 2022-23 benefit amounts and eligibility requirements can be found here.


The Emergency HEAP Benefit opens on January 1, 2023. The Emergency HEAP Benefit assists those who are in a heat related emergency. More information including 2022-23 benefit amounts and eligibility requirements can be found here.


The opening date for the 2022-2023 Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement (HERR) and Heating Equipment Clean and Tune (C&T) was Monday, October 3rd. Applications are now being accepted. Benefits will be provided on a first come, first serve basis to eligible applicants through September 29, 2023, or until funding is exhausted.


Please find more information about HERR here. More information about C&T can be found here.

 

As a reminder, prospective applicants can use any of the following methods to apply for HEAP:


  • Fax: Regular fax number is temporarily offline. Please use 917-639-2901 in the interim to submit HEAP application by fax.
  • In-person: visit one of the six designated HRA Benefits Access Centers or four community assistance sites
  • By mail: send a completed LDSS-3421 application to: NYC DSS/HRA/HEAP, PO Box 1401, Church Street Station, New York, NY 10008
  • Drop off: leave a completed LDSS-3421 application with any HRA Benefits Access Center


Click here to download an LDSS-3421 application or call (212) 331-3126 to request one.

 

City Services for Asylum Seekers Arriving in NYC

 

As of December 11, over 30,300 asylum seekers have come to New York City seeking services, over 20,900 asylum seekers of whom remain in the City’s care. The City has opened 57 emergency shelters and 4 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

 

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

 

The Fair Fares NYC program offers eligible New Yorkers regardless of immigration status a 50% discount on NYC subway and eligible buses and Access-A-Ride paratransit fares. NYC residency requirement does not include a minimum timeframe.

 

Fair Fares enrollment is simple and can be completed online: Apply for Fair Fares on ACCESS HRA!

 

If you need assistance to apply 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 a refund can visit an office or mail in 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 their Fair Fares Client ID number, first and last name, date of birth, in the envelope with the card.

 

All new cards and replacement cards will be mailed to the client.  

 

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

 

Additional Resources and Information

 

Department of Education Admissions Changes for Gifted and Talented and Kindergarten


The Department of Education (DOE) has made some changes to Kindergarten and Gifted and Talented admissions that aim to make the process more accessible. 

 

The application will now be the same for both regular and G&T programs, beginning with the 2023-2024 admissions process. Any family that lists a Gifted and Talented program anywhere on their application will be considered for eligibility. Waitlisting will also become available at the same time for both Kindergarten and G&T. Families will only be able to accept one offer at a time—but the G&T offers will be provided sooner.

 

Applications are open through the MYSchools account. The 3-K and pre-K applications will be available in late January.

 

More changes, according to the DOE:

 

Central Open House Calendar – Parents can use the new events calendar in MySchools to find all admissions events and school open houses and tour information in one place. Families will be able to add events to their personal calendar and RSVP to events directly from MySchools.  

 

Clearer Admissions Information – Additional information will be displayed about a student’s chance of getting an offer to various programs.

 

Information Sessions and Admissions Events – Parents are encouraged to sign up for an information session for help with this application year’s process. The DOE will be hosting elementary school admissions events for families applying to Kindergarten and 3k/pre-K, with more information on both opportunities available at schools.nyc.gov/ESEvents. If families have any additional questions they can email ESenrollment@schools.nyc.gov.  

 

Opportunities to Connect with GetCoveredNYC to Enroll in Health Insurance

 

The Public Engagement Unit's GetCoveredNYC team is partnering with the Yemeni American Merchants Association (YAMA) to provide free 1-on-1 assistance with health coverage in Arabic from a GetCoveredNYC Specialist. Ongoing office hours will be held on the first and third Fridays of each month from 1 to 5 p.m. in Brooklyn (6740 5th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11220) to discuss the health insurance enrollment services that GetCoveredNYC offers. The next office hour will be held on Friday, December 16th, when GetCoveredNYC Specialists will go over the health insurance enrollment services that GetCovered provides.


Additionally, tune in live to GetCoveredNYC's virtual information session in collaboration with NYCDOHMH, NYSDOH, OCHIA on Thursday, December 8th at 12:30pm via the PEU Facebook page to learn more about enrolling in health insurance with coverage starting January 1 at http://on.nyc.gov/GCInfoSession

 

Assistance Connecting Veterans with Health Coverage

 

The Mayor’s Public Engagement Unit (PEU) and the Department of Veterans’ Services (DVS) announced a new partnership to connect more New York City Veterans with health coverage. Through this partnership, New York City Veterans will have new pathways to get enrolled in the health insurance plans that are right for them. Veterans who text “CoveredNYCVet” ("SeguroNYCVet" en Español) to 877877 will receive a call from a GetCoveredNYC specialist who will help connect them to an appropriate healthcare coverage option, including for VA healthcare, if they are eligible. This partnership will ensure that no Veterans are left behind. 

Learn more about the partnership from our community and ethnic media partners in English, Spanish, and Russian


Department of Transportation Alternate Side Calendar


The City DOT has released the 2023 Alternate Side Parking calendar at this link (PDF).

 

Property Tax Rebate Application Deadline Extended

 

The deadline to apply for a $150 NYC property tax rebate has been extended to 3/15/23 for homeowners who couldn’t apply by the 11/15 deadline due to an extenuating circumstance. The rebate may be available for a primary residence where the owner has an adjusted gross income of $250,000 or less. To apply visit: www.nyc.gov/propertytaxrebate

 

Department of Consumer and Worker Protection Free Tax Prep – Brochures Available

 

The External Affairs division of the New York City Department of Consumer & Worker Protection (DCWP) is working on the distribution of Free Tax Prep brochures for the 2023 tax season. If your agency would like to order these brochures in order to help get the word out about this important resource, please do so by completing the Google form: 2023 Tax Season Literature request form. Please submit orders as soon as possible, before December 10th, 2022


Federal Student Loan Repayments - Extended


As a result of the federal student loan debt cancellation litigation, the student loan payment pause has now been extended again until the U.S. Department of Education is permitted to implement the debt relief program or the litigation is resolved. Payments will restart 60 days later. If the debt relief program has not been implemented and the litigation has not been resolved by June 30, 2023 – payments will resume 60 days after that. Borrowers will be notified before payments resume. Information about contacting loan servicers can be found here.


Federal Student Loan Debt Cancellation Paused

 

On November 14, the federal U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit issued an injunction against the Biden Administration halting the student loan debt cancellation plan. As a result, the Federal Student Aid Office has paused acceptance of applications until further notice. More information can be found on the Federal Student Aid website here.

 

OMNY for Reduced Fare MetroCards

 

OMNY, the MTA’s contactless fare payment system, is now available for Reduced-Fare customers (this does not include Fair Fares at this time). There is no need to re-apply for Reduced-Fare program – if you have a Reduced-Fare MetroCard, you can make the switch to OMNY immediately.  

 

You can now put your Reduced-Fare benefit on a contactless credit or debit card or the digital wallet on your smart phone or wallet at any time, from anywhere, using the MTA’s online Digital Assistant. It is as easy as 1-2-3: go to omny.info to create an OMNY account, open the Assistant and enter your Reduced-Fare program info, and enter your payment info.  

 

In order to switch to the OMNY system, customers will need their Reduced-Fare MetroCard number along with the bank card number that will carry the Reduced-Fare benefit. Once the contactless debit/credit or digital wallet is linked to the Reduced-Fare MetroCard, users will receive a success message and can begin using the selected payment method immediately. Those using a physical credit or debit card can tap and go using the physical card at the turnstile. Those using a smart phone or watch need to make sure the card chosen for payment is uploaded into that digital wallet.

 

A video demonstration of how make the switch can be found here, or call users can call the OMMY call center at 877-789-6669 (8:00 AM-5:00 PM EST any day of the week) for assistance.  

 

Institute for Career Development – Job Training and Placement Program


The Institute for Career Development (ICD) is offering two free eight-week job training and placement programs in Facilities Management for young adults ages 18-24 in New York City.

 

ICD’s Building Repair Technician and Custodial Services training programs help young adults earn the industry-recognized skills and certifications needed to pursue a career in this rapidly growing field.

 

The Building Repair Technician Program is an eight-week training that prepares students to be maintenance handy people or superintendents.

 

The Custodial Services Program is an eight-week training that prepares students to be building cleaners, porters, or custodians/janitors.

 

These programs include accessible classroom instruction, hands-on activities, work readiness training, a pathway to OSHA and NYS Education Department BPSS certifications, and job placement.

 

Additional information and applications can be found here.


Homeowner Tax Exemption and Rent Freeze

 

The NYC Department of Finance (DOF) recently released their 2022 Annual Rent Freeze Report. New Yorkers who are 62 years or older or have a disability may qualify to freeze their rent. Assistance is available by contacting the Public Engagement Unit’s Rent Freeze support office at (929) 252-7242 or by visiting one of the DOF Business Centers weekly (more information is available here). 

 

Homeowner Tax Exemption (THE) season is also here. New Yorkers who are 62 years or older or have a disability may qualify for a tax exemption if they own a home. Contact the Public Engagement Unit’s Rent Freeze team for free one-on-one support in accessing this benefit at (929) 252-7242.

 

Affordable Connectivity Outreach Grant Program (ACP Outreach Grant Program)

 

On August 5, 2022, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) established the Affordable Connectivity Outreach Grant Program (ACP Outreach Grant Program) to raise awareness about the nation’s largest ever broadband affordability effort, the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The ACP is a $14.2 billion FCC benefit program that helps ensure that qualifying low-income households can afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare and more.

 

The ACP Outreach Grant Program provides new federal funding for the FCC to grant eligible governmental and non-governmental entities with the funding and resources needed to increase awareness of and participation in the ACP among those households most in need of affordable connectivity. The FCC will make up to $70 million of competitive funding available under this FY 2023 ACP Outreach Grant Program Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).


The ACP Outreach Grant Program is comprised of four complementary grant programs:

 

National Competitive Outreach Program (NCOP) & Tribal Competitive Outreach Program (TCOP)

Through this ACP Outreach Grant Program, the FCC seeks to enlist and empower trusted community messengers to develop innovative outreach strategies to reach historically underserved and unserved communities. This includes providing those partners with the funding and resources needed to increase participation among eligible, low-income households in need an affordable internet connection

 

Your Home, Your Internet Pilot Program (YHYI) Outreach Grants

The Your Home, Your Internet Pilot Program is a one-year pilot program designed to increase awareness of the ACP, specifically among recipients of federal housing assistance, including: recipients of Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program (Section 8 Vouchers); Project-Based Rental Assistance (PBRA)/Section 202/Section 811; Public Housing; and Affordable Housing Programs for American Indians, Alaska Natives or Native Hawaiians. This pilot program will facilitate enrollment in the ACP by providing targeted assistance with completion of the program application.

 

ACP Navigator Pilot Program (NPP) Outreach Grants

The ACP Navigator Pilot Program is a one-year pilot that will provide a limited number of neutral, trusted third party entities, such as schools and school districts, or other local, Tribal or state government entities, access to the National Verifier for purposes of assisting consumers with completing and submitting an application for the Affordable Connectivity Program. 

 

Eligible Entities: For FY 2023, eligible entities may include the following governmental and nongovernmental organizations to serve as outreach partners to the FCC to conduct outreach to persons who live in low-income households:



  • State governments and subdivisions thereof (including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico);
  • U.S. Territory governments and subdivisions thereof such as the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands;
  • Local governments and subdivisions thereof (including county, borough, municipality, city, town, township, parish, local public authority, special district, intrastate district, council of governments, and agencies or instrumentalities of multi-regional or intra-state or local government);
  • Tribal governments and subdivisions thereof, as well as tribal organizations;
  • Public housing agencies;
  • Tribal designated housing entities;
  • Social service providers (e.g., food banks, community transportation, childcare);
  • Education organizations, such as schools and other institutions of higher education;
  • Workforce development training organizations;
  • Non-profit organizations;
  • Community-based organizations (including faith-based organizations and social service organizations);
  • Community anchor institutions;
  • Public service organizations; and
  • Consortia of the entities listed above


Complete applications must be received through https://www.grants.gov .grants.gov no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) on January 9, 2023. Late applications will not be accepted. FCC expects to complete its review, make selection of successful applicants, and process awards on or before March 10, 2023.

 

Health-Related Updates

 

Monkeypox Information

 

The City has opened second-dose Monkeypox vaccine appointments to anyone who received their first dose at least 28 days ago, and opened eligibility to people under 18 and who meet all other eligibility criteria (and whose parents consent).

 

Find everything about monkeypox at nyc.gov/monkeypox.  

 

New Yorkers can also text MONKEYPOX to 692692 for updates. For alerts in Spanish text MONKEYPOXESP to 692692.

 

To stay up to date on information regarding vaccination appointments, please check the NYC Health Department Monkeypox website, follow @NYCHealthy on Twitter, and sign up to receive text alerts from the City for updates on appointment availability.

 

More information about how you can prevent monkeypox is available here and Monkeypox 101 information is here

 

Palm Cards, information for providers, and other materials are available in multiple languages here.

 

Additional Resources

CDC: Monkeypox

 

COVID Vaccines

 

The CDC has approved the use of updated Covid booster shots that specifically target the two prominent omicron subvariants, BA.4 and BA.5.

 

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.

 

As of Friday, September 2nd, the federal government is no longer providing free COVID-19 at-home rapid testing kits.


Test-and-Treat

 

The New York City Test & Trace Corps, established during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, is rebranding as the Test & Treat Corps to reflect the priority to provide New Yorkers with life-saving COVID-19 treatments.

  

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 of these tools available over the phone through the national vaccine hotline at 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489), which supports over 150 languages.

  

AfterCare Program for Long COVID

 

The NYC Test & 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.

 

Community-wide Conference Call

 

We look forward to your continued participation on our monthly briefing calls and your ongoing work to help make sure that the critical information shared here and in our monthly calls is being communicated to our shared clients.

 

The information contained in this communication is a synopsis of what is being shared on our community-wide conference calls as well as new developments and useful information regarding other City benefits and services. All of the information included in each of our prior communications, since March 2020, is available on our website on the Community Updates webpage.

 

Thank you for your partnership in serving our fellow New Yorkers in need of our services. If you have any questions or concerns about the issues covered in this communication or on our community-wide conference calls, 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,

 

Gary P. Jenkins

DSS Commissioner