January 27, 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, 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 March 14, 2023 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. 

End of COVID-19 Emergency Allotments to SNAP Households

Under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023, the SNAP Emergency Allotments are scheduled to end after the February 2023 issuance. The continuation of the SNAP Emergency Allotments is no longer tied to the continuation of the Public Health Emergency.  

As such, households currently receiving SNAP benefits will only receive one SNAP deposit in the first half of the month with the end of these emergency allotments.

Bureau of Eligibility Verification (BEV) – Resuming Operations

Starting in February 2023, The DSS Bureau of Eligibility Verification (BEV) will resume operations. Similar to pre-COVID operations, DSS will make any necessary BEV referrals during the Cash Assistance eligibility interview. Unlike pre-COVID, however, BEV investigative interviews will be conducted over the phone. Cash Assistance applicants who are referred to the BEV for investigation will receive verbal notice of the date and time (two-hour window) when to expect the BEV investigator’s call. DSS will also mail the client a BEV referral with the date and time of the telephone interview. BEV will make a second outreach call if the first call is not answered. 

Medicaid Easements

Under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023, the continuation of Medicaid easements are no longer tied to the Public Health Emergency (PHE). As such, as of April 1, 2023, the easements will begin to be lifted. At that time, continuous coverage will no longer be required. This means that all cases with authorization dates ending June 30, 2023 will undergo 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. All Federal matches will also be back in use.

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) Designation for Ethiopia

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary has recently designated Ethiopia for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). As a reminder, TPS can be extended to a country experiencing ongoing armed conflict, environmental disasters, or extraordinary and temporary conditions. Ethiopia’s designation, effective December 12, 2022, was made due to ongoing armed conflict and extraordinary and temporary conditions that prevent nationals and habitual residents from returning 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 Ethiopia will not automatically be granted TPS.

The Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) recognizes non-citizens with TPS as Permanently Residing Under Color of Law (PRUCOL) for the purposes of Safety Net Assistance (SNA) eligibility. Non-citizens with TPS can receive SNA, if otherwise eligible. Non-citizens granted TPS are ineligible for Cash Assistance (CA), the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), unless they are also in some other qualifying non-citizen status.

President Biden recently signed the Consolidated Continuing Appropriations Act, 2023 into law. This law extends the period of parole under which certain individuals from Afghanistan may be eligible for certain benefits to September 30, 2023 (see: Division M, Title V, Sec. 1501 of H.R. 2617: Consolidated Continuing Appropriations Act, 2023).

Program Implications

Temporary Assistance, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Home Energy Assistance Program, Refugee Cash Assistance

Afghan Humanitarian Parolees – Extension of Parolee Status

Effective September 30, 2021, the federal government began providing evacuees from Afghanistan who entered the U.S. on humanitarian parole access to federal benefits and services through the Afghanistan Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2022. The date through which Afghan citizens or nationals habitually lived in Afghanistan has now been extended from September 2022 to September 30, 2023. 

The Afghanistan Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2022 allows these individuals to receive benefits for a limited period of time. Benefits may include resettlement assistance, entitlement programs (including TA and SNAP), and other benefits available to refugees admitted under section 207 of the Immigration and Nationality Act through March 31, 2023, or until the end of their parole term, whichever is later. These individuals are not subject to a waiting period and are immediately eligible for benefits as long as they meet all other TA/SNAP financial and non-financial eligibility requirements.

State Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) Updates

On January 11, 2023, the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) announced that New York State ERAP applications will not be accepted after January 20, 2023, at 9:00 pm Eastern Standard Time. Individuals will not be able to submit applications, or complete applications that have been started but not submitted, after January 20, 2023 at 9:00 pm.

Applications submitted before the application portal closes on January 20, 2023 will continue to be processed in the order received, consistent with State law and program rules.

OTDA is actively reviewing and processing eligible ERAP applications submitted through October 31, 2022. Additional applications are expected to be reviewed and processed in the future as funds become available. After the portal closes to new applications, tenants and landlords may continue to upload required documentation for pending submitted applications.

Tenant households that apply for ERAP will continue to receive ERAP tenant protections until an eligibility determination is made on the ERAP application. For additional information on these protections, please see the “Tenant Protections” section of the ERAP FAQs located here.

As a reminder, applications from subsidized housing tenants whose rent is limited to a certain percentage of income (including public housing, Section 8, CityFHEPS 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. If these households have arrears, and have applied for ERAP, they will not need to wait for a determination on their ERAP application in order to get help from HRA, if otherwise eligible.

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

For those non-subsidized households who applied for ERAP prior to 11/14/2021, the date of the initial program closure, and who still have an ERAP application pending, the TA eligibility policy communicated in GIS_21TA/DC039 and GIS_22TA/DC004 still applies requiring a decision on the ERAP application before issuance of TA to address rent arrears.

For assistance, please contact the State OTDA ERAP call center at 800-691-7368. Webchat is also available from the OTDA ERAP website at https://otda.ny.gov/program/emergency-rental-assistance/help/applying/

EBT Scams Currently Impacting Recipient Households

In response to increasing incidents of temporary assistance and SNAP benefits theft via several scams, including phishing and card skimming, the State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) has created a public service announcement (PSA): Act Fast: Protect Your EBT Benefits Against Skimming Thieves

Phishing scams have employed deceptive tactics ranging from “smart tablet giveaways”, in which recipients are asked to submit personal case information to participate. OTDA will never send correspondence prompting a recipient to provide their account information. Households can help safeguard their benefits going forward by:

• Frequently changing the EBT account PIN. It is recommended that cardholders avoid selecting a PIN that is easy to guess such as a repeated or consecutive numbers.
• Clients should NEVER give their PIN to anyone, not even to an HRA employee. HRA employees will never ask a client for their EBT card PIN. Clients also shouldn’t give their PIN to a person if they are told that their case will close.
• Reviewing the account and transactions on a regular basis. Households should regularly review their account transactions and balances and immediately report their card lost or stolen should they notice any suspicious or questionable activity or transactions.
• Reporting suspicious devices and activity. If they notice any sign that a skimmer may be in use, it’s recommended that they alert the retailer and refrain from using the possible compromised machine.

Households may report their card lost or stolen at the EBT Customer Service Helpline (1-888-328-6399), or on the web here, or on the ConnectEBT mobile app. For additional information about what steps can be taken to safeguard information and benefits, please click here. A flyer with useful information about fraud prevention and protection can be found here.

Emergency Food Grant for EBT Card Scams

Clients who have their benefits stolen because of skimming (EBT card scam) and who have a food emergency (they have no food or money to buy food) may be eligible for a food emergency grant. However, these grants may be subject to repayment.

• CA participants should submit a request for an emergency/additional allowance. If found eligible, the grant is subject to recoupment. No interview is required.
• SNAP participants can apply for a One Shot Deal (OSD) for the emergency food allowance.

Federal law prohibits the replacement of stolen benefits. The “EBT How to Use Your Benefit Card to Get SNAP and/or Cash Benefits” states “If someone else uses your card or card number and PIN, your BENEFITS WILL NOT BE REPLACED.” This includes both Cash Assistance and SNAP benefits.

Office of Child Support Services – Customer Service Hours

As a means to ensure services continued during COVID, OCSS’ Customer Services Walk-in Center located at 151 W. Broadway, 4^th floor, NY, NY 10013. offered telephone interviews for customers seeking assistance with their child support case. Now that customers can get their child support questions answered by telephone or by visiting a child support worker located in a Family Court, there has been a significant drop in the number of visitors during the 6:00-and 7:00 pm time slot. Therefore effective January 17^th, the office hours will change from 8am – 7pm to 8am – 6pm.  , OCSS changed its hours of operation at its 151 West Broadway location.

Clients with questions or who need to schedule an interview can email or send mail. They must include their name, Child Support case number, a description of their issue/concern(s), phone number and the best time to be reached.

Online: www.nyc.gov/hra/ocss

NYS Call Center: 888-208-4485

Email: dcse.cseweb@dfa.state.ny.us

Mail: OCSS, PO Box 830, Canal Street Station, New York, NY 10013

As a reminder, the OCSS website at www.nyc.gov/hra/ocss includes links to specific topics relevant to custodial and non-custodial parents.

The ACCESS HRA Child Support Mobile app is also available for assistance and can be used by both HRA and non-HRA clients.

City Services for Asylum Seekers Arriving in NYC

As of January 25, 2023, 42,400 asylum seekers have come to New York City seeking services, over 27,800 of whom remain in the City’s care. The City has opened 79 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.

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  

Additional Resources and Information

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#) Below is a small selection of jobs currently available: 

Department of Social Services:

• Job Opportunity Specialist – Salary $42,389 (annual) – Job ID#552883
• Eligibility Specialist – Salary $37,748 (annual) – Job ID#553797
• Administration for Children’s Services
• Youth Development Specialist (50 positions) – Salary $47,393 (annual) - Job ID# 554430
• Child Protective Specialist (125 positions) - Salary $50,757 (annual) -Job ID# 556821
• RA (Reasonable Accommodations) Specialist – Salary $71,423.00 - $ 82,137.00 (Annual) - Job ID# 557385 

Office of Management and Budget Office of Management and Budget

• Unit Head for Sanitation Unit – Salary $103,307.00 (annual) – Job ID# 563683
• Budget Analyst for the Labor Contracts Analysis Unit - Salary $51,550.00 – $73,806.00 - (annual) – Job ID# 554394

Office of Technology and Innovation 

• Director, Agency Solutions – Salary: $80,931 - $140,000 (Annual) – Job ID# 535255 
• Associate Data Engineer – Salary: $54,281 - $77,250 (Annual) – Job ID# 520079 
• Chief Engineer, Mayor’s Office of Media & Entertainment – Salary: $58,700 - $100,000 (Annual) – Job ID# 538050 

New York City Council Fiscal Year 2024 Discretionary Funding Application Filing Period

Each year the New York City Council allocates discretionary funds to not-for-profit organizations to meet local needs and fill gaps in City agency services. Awarded discretionary funds contracts are for a single fiscal year. Discretionary funding is allocated only to not-for-profit; community-based social services providers. For-profit entities may not receive discretionary funds, except when the primary not-for-profit contractor subcontracts or consults with a for-profit entity as part of the delivery of services. Such subcontracts and consultants must be only an ancillary part of the funded program funded, not the primary basis for the discretionary award.

There are several categories of discretionary funding used by the City Council, each serving different purposes. The following categories have developed through Council practice over the years, and are subject to change in the future:

Member Local Initiatives: Each Member of the Council receives an amount each year to meet local needs in the Member’s district, known as “local initiatives”. Borough Delegations also allocate funding. Various factors including local needs, the Member’s request, and other considerations determine the amount. Uses of local initiative funding are not limited to any particular purpose or agency, except as otherwise restricted by Council policy, PPB rules, and applicable law.

City Council Local Initiatives: Organizations may apply for funding directly to the Speaker, or Members may request that the Speaker fund an organization whose scope of services exceeds their individual ability to fund, or which serves a larger geographical area. This is often referred to as the “Speaker’s list.”

Member Aging Discretionary Funds: Each Member receives an annual amount to fund senior services in his or her district through the Department for the Aging.

Member Youth Discretionary Funds: Each Member receives an annual amount for the provision of services for youth or community development through the Department of Youth and Community Development.

Anti-Poverty Initiative: Council Members receive additional discretionary funding based on the number of people in their districts below the Federal Poverty Line; compiled by the American Community Survey (ACS). ACS is a continuous survey that individuals respond to throughout the year. Poverty statistics presented in ACS reports and tables adhere to the standards specified by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Based on these figures, Council Members will receive additional funds ranging from $25,000 (Lowest Poverty Figures) to $100,000 (Highest Poverty Figures) in $25,000 increments.

Citywide Initiatives: The Council may also initiate programs for addressing community needs that it feels are lacking by existing agency programming. To extend the reach of agency programs to underserved communities or populations. In most cases, the Council will provide funding to specific not-for-profit providers. Initiatives are usually citywide in scope, although they may focus on high-need communities or populations.

Eligibility criteria include an organization being incorporated as a not-for-profit current registration with the New York State Attorney General’s Charities Bureau (unless exempt) and having a valid Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN). All organizations wishing to receive any one of the six types of discretionary funding directly from the Council must submit a Council Discretionary Funding Application. The application solicits information about an organization’s experience, qualifications, and integrity, and the project or service for which the organization is requesting support.

All not-for-profit community-based organizations that wish to apply for discretionary funding for FY 2024 must submit an application by the submission deadline of Tuesday, February 21, 2023. More information can be found here and the application can be found here. For any issues or questions regarding the FY 2024 application, please contact discretionary@council.nyc.gov. 

The NYC Public Engagement Unit GetCoveredNYC Event Round-Up

Enrolling in health insurance can be confusing and hard to navigate. A GetCoveredNYC Specialist from the NYC Public Engagement Unit (PEU) is here to help. New Yorkers can now check out where GetCoveredNYC Specialists are going to be so they can get 1-on-1 support in person. Click here to see where we'll be this week and join us for health care resources.

NYC Dept. of Finance Annual Notice of Property Value (NOPV)

The NYC Dept. of Finance has mailed its annual Notice of Property Value (NOPV), which allows property owners to review the Department of Finance’s assessment of their properties, challenge the market or assessed value, update their property information, and apply for a property tax exemption if eligible. The Department of Finance is conducting in-person NOPV outreach events, which include a presentation followed by breakout sessions for constituents to meet one-on-one with staff from the Department of Finance, including assessors, exemptions and property staff, and the Office of the Taxpayer Advocate, as well as the New York City Tax Commission, a separate City agency. For questions contact Kieran Mahoney, at outreach@finance.nyc.gov.  

Manhattan NOPV event: Wednesday, 2/15, 5 – 8 pm, in person at the David Dinkins Municipal Building Mezzanine (1 Centre St. North Entrance). 

RFP For Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Centers (HERRCs)

The NYC Economic Development Corporation has released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a license agreement or lease or other agreement to operate one or more Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Centers (HERRCs) with at least 60,000 usable sq ft. The RFP and Q&As are available to download at this link. Responses are due Friday, 1/27. 

Open Streets Applications Open

The 2023 Open Streets application is due 1/31/23 for open streets launching before 6-30-23. For those planning to launch on or after 7/1/23, or for a school applying for next fall’s 2023-24 academic year, applications are due by 4/14/23. Visit www.nyc.gov/openstreets#apply to access the application and to learn more about the program.

Asphalt Art Activations Open Call for Applicants

The City Dept. of Transportation has issued an Open Call (PDF) for applicants to paint public artwork on DOT property throughout New York City under their Asphalt Art Activations program; selected artists may receive up to $20,000. Apply at the link by 2/1. 

Sanitation Foundation Rat Academy

The following Rat Academy sessions are being offered publicly for building owners, maintenance staff and tenant:

Tuesday, 1/31 5-7 pm

Thursday, 2/9 5-7 pm

NYCHA Resident Training Academy

Applications are open for NYCHA’s Resident Training Academy (NRTA) which provides employment linked training opportunities for NYCHA residents on 3 tracks: Construction, janitorial and pest control. A collaboration between NYCHA, the Robin Hood Foundation, and employment training providers across the city, the NRTA provides residents with technical training. Click here to learn more about the entrance exam, prescreening appointment, and interview process. Applicants must have valid working documentation, be able to lift 50 lbs or more, and 100% available during the work week to participate.

DOE Information Sessions for 3-K, Pre-K, Kindergarten, and Gifted and Talented Programs

Below are the remaining info sessions for NYC admissions for 3-K, Pre-K, kindergarten, and gifted and talented programs:

• 2/1/23 from 2-3 pm. Interpretation services will be available in Arabic, Haitian Creole, Russian
• 2/15/23 from 6-7 pm. Interpretation services will be available in Bangla, Korean, Spanish

Each event will be hosted live online; visit schools.nyc.gov/ESEvents the day before the event to find the password and any other information needed to join, as well as how to receive interpretation. Log onto Zoom at the event’s start time here.

Reimagining Special Education

The Department of Education is “Boldly Reimagining Special Education” by creating an Advisory Council. Applications are open, to be considered for the Council, please complete this form. Applicants will be selected on a rolling basis. 

Education Council

Applications are open to run for a community or citywide education council; applications are due and are due by 2/13.

Homeowner Tax Exemption and Rent Freeze Application Assistance for Older New Yorkers

The Mayor’s Public Engagement Unit (PEU) started tabling on a limited basis at the Queens Borough President's Office to offer enrollment and renewal support for Homeowner Tax Exemption and Rent Freeze programs. , in collaboration with their partners at the NYC Department of Finance (DOF) and NYC Department for the Aging (NYC Aging), launched a week of action to enroll eligible residents to housing benefit programs, like Homeowner Tax Exemption and Rent Freeze programs, that help New Yorkers save money on housing costs. To kick off the week of action, PEU, DOF, and NYC Aging held a press conference Tuesday, December 13th at YM & YWHA of Washington Heights and Inwood. The press conference highlighted the importance of enrolling in both rent freeze and homeowner tax exemption programs as soon as possible before its March 15th deadline. Staff from PEU, DOF, and NYC Aging were onsite canvassing with information about the programs and helping people enroll. 

Homeowner Tax Exemption Deadline: Wednesday March 15th, 2023  

Learn about eligibility requirements for these programs by visiting PEU’s Tenant Support Unit website or by calling PEU’s Rent Freeze Hotline at 929-252-7242 to connect with a PEU Specialist for assistance.

Health-Related Updates

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.

Free at-home COVID-19 rapid tests are available to order online and by phone from the Federal Government. These rapid tests give results within 30 minutes. Lab drop-off is not required.

Every home in the United States is eligible to order 4 free at-⁠home tests per residential address. Tests were shipped out starting the week of December 19, 2022.

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.

If you provide an email address, you will receive email notifications with shipping updates. Once your order is shipped, you will receive an email with an estimated delivery date and a tracking number. You can track the status of your delivery on USPS.com.

Online

Learn more and order free at-home COVID-19 rapid tests at covidtests.gov.

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

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 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 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 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