July 12, 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. We will provide notification as soon as we have confirmed the date of our next monthly briefing call.
We continue to share important updates as well as an ongoing synopsis of the information shared in prior communications on our DSS COVID-19 Community Updates page. We encourage you to use and share this link to answer questions on the many topics we have covered during the pandemic.
HEAP Cooling Assistance Component (CAC)
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 July 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. The public health emergency has been extended and is currently set to end on July 16, 2022.
On October 1, 2021, permanent changes to SNAP went into effect, resulting in a sizeable increase in the benefit issuance by household size. SNAP households have continued to receive emergency allotments on top of this permanent increase. Once the emergency allotments are no longer being issued, the permanent SNAP increase will remain in effect, but families and individuals will see a decrease in the total amount of SNAP received per month. Additional details will be shared as they become available.
Fair Fares Updates and Outreach Materials
The Fair Fares NYC program continues to offer eligible New York City residents a 50% discount on eligible transportation. Fair Fares enrollment is simple and can be done completely online without coming in to an HRA office. To apply, please visit ACCESS HRA here.
In our ongoing efforts to get the word out about this valuable benefit, 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.
While there is no need to come in to an HRA office to apply for Fair Fares, the Fair Fares NYC (FFNYC) locations have reopened, if needed. Clients are able to go to offices for help with applications, renewal applications, document upload, and to report that a card was lost/stolen/damaged/not working/lost in MTA vending machine. To find a location please visit the Fair Fares website. Clients will also able to request an in-person appointment by calling 311.
Clients who need a replacement card or a refund must mail in their card to:
Fair Fares NYC
P.O. Box 7099
New York, NY 10008-7099
Clients must include their first and last name, date of birth, and Fair Fares Client ID number in the envelope with the card.
All new cards and replacement cards will be mailed to the client.
Second Round of Child Care Center Grants
The New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) is accepting applications for a second round of child care stabilization grants made available through federal funding relating to the COVID-19 pandemic. The first Child Care Stabilization grant (also known as Stabilization 1.0) was released on August 3, 2021 and applications were closed on November 30, 2021. Based on the success of the Child Care Stabilization 1.0 grants, OCFS will distribute another round of funds to child care providers to strengthen their infrastructure and support their workforce.
The Child Care Stabilization Grant 2.0 for Workforce Supports application period is 07/05/22- 11/30/22.
Funds will be rolled out in two phases.
Phase 1: The grant application portal will open on July 5, 2022, for recipients of Stabilization 1.0, except those that are School Age Child Care (SACC) programs.
Phase 2: The grant application portal will be available on August 22, 2022 to the following eligible child care providers:
• those eligible providers who did not receive Stabilization 1.0, and
• SACC programs who received Stabilization 1.0
Grant payments will be made directly to the child care provider. Eligible providers must be OCFS licensed or registered child care programs, NYC permitted group day cares, or enrolled legally exempt group child care programs (enrolled with an enrollment agency).
EBT Card Skimming Scam
There is a new scam in which thieves are using card-swiping machines to steal personal information from debit and credit cards. In some cases, skimmers have been used to steal EBT card information. The thieves clone client EBT cards and are able to access and steal the benefits.
HRA is actively investigating this fraud, and is working with the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to try to make clients whole.
People who experience this should call the EBT Helpline at 888.328.6399 immediately to get a new EBT card and change their PIN, then call the HRA Fraud Unit at 718.722.8001. If they know or suspect where their card was skimmed, they should call the NYPD Financial Crimes Unit at 718-330-1805.
The DSS Accountability Office also notes that the impacted population identified to-date is assumed to be a subset of the full scope of the issue. Our ability to identify this fact pattern through EBT transaction data is limited since we are only able to isolate the trend when benefits are being accessed simultaneously both locally and out-of-state. We are unable to identify clients who may have had their benefits skimmed, cloned, and fraudulently used at the local level, unless a client contacts us with an allegation.
Earned Income Disregard for Summer Youth Employment Program Participants
All earned income derived from participation in the SYEP or similar workforce development program by individuals not older than 24 at the time of enrollment is exempted from the determination of need for Temporary Assistance (TA). This policy applies to all Family Assistance (FA) and Safety Net Assistance (SNA) case types.
For SNAP eligibility determinations, the earned income is excluded if the earner is a household member who is under age 18, attends elementary/high school or classes to obtain a High School Equivalency diploma, and lives with a parent or another household member who has parental control over the individual.
Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) Event by Media Justice
This July, MediaJustice Network and the National Consumer Law Center are hosting “ACP Summer” to learn all about the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The event will focus on the ACP’s enhanced consumer protections, what local practitioners are seeing in their community, what the ACP complaint process is and how to get an FCC speaker for community events.
Thursday July 14th from 4-5pm ET.
Full call description is here on the registration page: bit.ly/ACPSummer. The call is public, so please feel free (and encouraged) to share. A flyer for the event is available here.
Electric and Gas Utility Bill Credit Program for Low-Income Families
A one-time, low-income utility bill credit is now available to help low-income electric and gas utility customers pay off past utility bills. This credit, which will be applied to affected customers' bills by the utilities, requires no action by existing low-income customers enrolled in the EAP to receive the benefit. The bill credit is expected to be applied to customers' accounts by August 1, 2022. Any eligible low-income customer that enrolls in EAP before December 31, 2022 will be included in the bill credit program.
Learn more about the program here.
Temporary Assistance Implication
Temporary Assistance (TA) funding may continue to be utilized to pay utility arrears when the applicant presents with an emergency or immediate need, after first exploring the availability of HEAP. A payment can be made to prevent termination if it is determined that an immediate threat of shut off is present and the applicant/recipient (A/R) is otherwise eligible.
Waiver Extensions
OTDA has extended a waiver permitting New Yorkers to submit SNAP and Cash Assistance applications and recertifications by telephone with HRA staff. In order 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 September 30, or the end of the month subsequent to the month in which the public health emergency declaration is lifted. The public health emergency is currently set to expire on July 16, 2022.
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.
Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) Food Benefits Updates
P-EBT Scam Text Messages
OTDA has been sending texts to households of children that are being issued their summer 2021 P-EBT benefits. It has come to the attention of HRA and OTDA that clients and some SNAP workers are receiving messages about P-EBT that appear to be suspicious.
Official texts about P-EBT will come from the phone number 877-902-0684 and include the following text:
Recipients should not respond to any messages from a different number, especially those including the following information:
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Message is from: 21125686 @ access (dot) nyc (dot) gov
- Message instructs the person to call 1(888) 984-1165
- Message also contains the following: #MSGID 2096589 P-EBT Blocked
Summer P-EBT Benefits
Nearly all eligible children throughout the state, who had their in-person attendance reduced during the 2020-21 school year due to the pandemic will receive P-EBT food benefits. Each eligible student will receive $375 in food benefits.
Recipient households should receive a text message alert when their food benefits are distributed. Families can check www.connectebt.com to see if the summer benefit was deposited. Learn more here.
Qualifying households do not apply for the P-EBT program, the NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) administers the program and automatically issues benefits on an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card.
For assistance with general questions or to request a replacement Medicaid CBIC that was issued for P-EBT food benefits:
Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) Inquiries
As a reminder, all P-EBT related inquiries should be directed to the State's P-EBT Food Benefits Helpline at 833-452-0096 or to the P-EBT Information Form at otda.ny.gov/PEBT-Info to submit questions in writing. OTDA's SNAP COVID-19 webpage also provides a wealth of information about P-EBT and links to further and more detailed information about P-EBT.
Infoline Extended Hours of Operation on Wednesdays
On June 8, 2022, the Infoline call center began a pilot that extends the hours of operation on Wednesdays to 7 PM until further notice. The Infoline hours of operation will remain 8 AM to 5 PM for all other weekdays.
SNAP On-Demand Interviews
SNAP On-Demand telephone eligibility interviews resumed on June 1, 2022. SNAP recertifications that are expiring in July and SNAP applications submitted after May 31 must now complete an interview or be rejected for failing to interview.
The availability of On-Demand interviews gives clients more flexibility as they do not have to wait for HRA to call them to complete their eligibility interview. Beginning June 1st, once they submit their application or recertification form via ACCESS HRA, at a PC Bank, in-person, or by mail, clients are able to call HRA at 718-SNAP-NOW (718-762-7669) anytime between 8:30am and 5:00pm, Monday to Friday, for an “on-demand” telephone interview. If an applicant has an emergency need for SNAP they should call right after they submit their application. Clients have up to 30 days from the time they submit their form to complete an interview either over the phone or in-person.
NYC Care Health Care Access Program
NYC Care is a health care access program that guarantees low-cost and no-cost services to New Yorkers who do not qualify for or cannot afford health insurance. All NYC Care services are provided through NYC Health + Hospitals .
NYC Care is the nation’s largest and most comprehensive initiative to guarantee health care for New Yorkers, regardless of immigration status or ability to pay.
Eligibility
- You must live in the five boroughs of New York City
- Must not qualify for any health insurance plan available in New York State
- Not be able to afford health insurance based on government guidelines
To enroll: 646-NYC-CARE
Additional Resources and Information
Reproductive Rights Resources
Abortion is legal and protected in New York. Abortion services are still available to all patients seeking care. Patients seeking a medication abortion may be able to receive their medicine by mail without visiting their doctor's office. To learn more, access resources, and for help getting services, visit https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/health/health-topics/abortion.page.
In New York, information and resources are also available here.
HHS has launched a new website, ReproductiveRights.gov, to provide accurate, up-to-date information about access to and coverage of reproductive health care and resources.
Additionally, New York Attorney General Letitia James, 24 national law firms, and eight reproductive rights organizations announced the launch of a legal hotline that will provide legal guidance and resources to patients, healthcare providers, and supporters seeking information about their legal rights to access and provide abortions. The legal hotline, which is part of Attorney General James’ new Pro Bono Task Force on Reproductive Health, will be available to anyone who is seeking legal information and legal advice about abortions in New York, patients seeking to travel to New York to obtain an abortion, healthcare providers, and people and organizations providing material support. The hotline is free and will be available in the 12 most common languages spoken in New York.
Hotline Number: (212) 899-5567
Learn more about the hotline and other NY resources here.
Administration for Children and Families – Black Experience Community Roundtable Invitation
The Biden administration is continuing to advance equity and support for underserved communities, including Black people who have historically been treated poorly by human services programs over many generations. In order to facilitate this work, HHS is looking to meaningfully engage with Black individuals who have participated in various federally-funded human services programs (child care, Head Start, TANF, refugee programs, runaway and homeless youth services, foster care, adoption, child support) via virtual community roundtables to provide feedback.
The virtual 90-minute community roundtables will be held on August 3rd and 4th. HHS is interested in diverse representation from Black communities including, but not limited to those that are:
- Adults, young adults (18-24 years old), parents, and caregivers
- Members of the LGBTQ+ community
- Persons with disabilities
- Members of the refugee and immigrant community
- Individuals who may not have engaged in discussions with federal agencies in the past
New York Primary Elections
This year’s primary elections are occurring across two days: Tuesday, June 28, for all planned offices except Congressional and State Senate offices, and Tuesday, August 23, for Congressional and State Senate offices. The June 28 primary has already occurred.
Friday, July 29 is the voter registration deadline for the August Primary Election in New York.
Wednesday, August 3 is the deadline for voters to update their address if they have moved since the last election. Voters must notify the NYC Board of Elections as soon as possible by re-registering to vote: Re-register to vote here.
Buildings After Hours
Have a construction project to start or complete? A violation to resolve? Want to learn more about a property’s zoning? “Buildings After Hours” from 4 pm to 7 pm every Tuesday offers the public the chance to ask any question of Dept. of Buildings staff at each borough office of the DOB (Manhattan’s office is at 280 Broadway). Whether you’re a homeowner, small business owner, tenant, or building manager, this program offers the chance to ask questions of building inspectors, examiners, and DOB staff. No appointment needed. Learn more at the link.
NYPD Police Officer Exam
NYPD is recruiting, too. Registration for the NYPD Police Officer exam is now open until 7/15. Visit the link for more details and to register.
Free Summer Meals
The NYC Summer Meals Program is available throughout New York City to anyone ages 18 years old and under. Designated public schools, community pool centers, parks, and food trucks will be open for service. No registration, documentation, or ID is necessary to receive a free breakfast or lunch meal. Learn more about Summer Meals here.
Meals are being offered from June 28 – September 2. Breakfast is provided from 8 am – 9:15 am and lunch from 11 am – 1:15 pm.
Grab and go meals are being offered. The City is also offering Halal meals.
Food service trucks offering Free Summer Meals are located at:
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Manhattan: Sara D. Roosevelt - Chrystie St & Forsythe St, NY, NY 10002
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Manhattan: Holcombe Rucker - 280 W. 155th Street, NY, NY 10039
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Queens: Rufus King Playground - 150-29 Jamaica Ave, Queens, NY 11435
How To Find Locations
FreshConnect Checks For Veterans And Families
In collaboration with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, Veterans Benefits Advisors with the New York State Division of Veterans’ Services are offering FreshConnect checks to Active Duty members, veterans and their immediate family members, as well as un-remarried surviving spouses of veterans.
New York State employees who are veterans and their immediate family members are now eligible to receive FreshConnect checks. Recipients can use FreshConnect checks for fresh produce and other food items at participating farmers markets throughout New York State.
Veterans Benefits Advisors distribute FreshConnect checks on a first-come, first-served basis throughout the state of New York, beginning in July.
Each recipient or household receives a booklet of FreshConnect checks worth a total of $20 at participating farmers’ markets and farm stands. For more information, regarding farmers markets and finding the one nearest you, click here.
To find a Veterans Benefits Advisor or learn more, call 1.888.838.7697 (VETSNYS) or click here.
There are no income restrictions, combat service requirements, or length of military service requirements for a Veteran, Servicemember, or eligible family member to receive an allotment of FreshConnect Checks.
NYC Neighborhood Food Resource Guides
The Hunter College NYC Food Policy Center has created 59 Neighborhood Food Resource Guides. Click HERE to find your neighborhood.
SAHMSA Behavioral Health Recovery Innovation Challenge
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), announced its first-ever behavioral health Recovery Innovation Challenge. The goal of this challenge is to identify innovations developed by peer-run or community-based organizations, and entities that may partner with them—such as local or state governments, health systems, hospitals, or health plans—that advance recovery.
As part of this challenge, participants are encouraged to share details about the practices they are using to advance recovery and demonstrate how these practices have: 1) expanded upon SAMHSA’s definition of recovery, or 2) helped them overcome challenges in incorporating recovery into their behavioral health services or systems.
The deadline for submission is July 15, 2022. The purse prize is up to $400,000. The competition will offer up to 10 awards, depending on the judges’ overall scores. All submission materials must be submitted through the SAMHSA Recovery Innovation Challenge page on the challenge.gov website.
NYCHA Residents CUNY Scholarships
NYCHA’s Office of Resident Economic Empowerment & Sustainability announced that applications for college scholarships are now open. One-time $1,000 grants are awarded to eligible NYCHA residents who are pursuing undergraduate degrees at a City University of New York (CUNY) college.
All applications must be submitted online by July 14, 2022.
To apply, please use the NYCHA self-service portal and select NYCHA-CUNY Scholarship on the left-hand navigation pane. If an applicant does not already have access, they must create a username and password.
Monkeypox Information
Palm Cards, information for providers, and other materials are available in multiple languages here.
Additional Resources
COVID-19 Related Updates
COVID-19 Mobile Response Initiative
New York City Mayor Eric Adams, joined by NYC Test & Trace Corps, NYC Health + Hospitals, and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) and White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator Dr. Ashish Jha launched a new COVID-19 mobile response initiative.
The mobile “Test and Treat” program, managed by the NYC Test & Trace Corps, will see participating mobile testing units include a clinician on board to provide instant access to COVID antiviral medication at no cost to eligible New Yorkers who test positive at these sites. The program, which was launched June 30, will be the first of its kind in the nation with three starting units and will expand to include over 30 units through July.
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.
Paxlovid from Pharmacists
On July 6th, The Food and Drug Administration added pharmacists to the list of health care professionals who are allowed to prescribe Paxlovid, a series of pills for treating Covid-19. The move, aimed at making it easier for patients to get the drug, will significantly increase the number of prescribers who can order the treatment.
Previously, only doctors, nurses and physician assistants were allowed to prescribe the treatment.
Home Delivered COVID Antiviral Medication
The City is providing free home delivery -- as long as there is a prescription-- of oral antiviral pills Paxlovid (made by Pfizer), and Molnupiravir (by Merck), via Alto Pharmacy, a medication provider which has partnered with the City. Since supplies of the new drugs are extremely limited, deliveries will be prioritized to those who test positive and considered to be at higher risk for COVID.
Those who have tested positive and are otherwise qualified can visit Virtual ExpressCare for a phone or video visit or call 212-COVID19 (212-268-4319) and press 9.
Vaccines for Children
On June 22, NYC opened 10 dedicated Moderna vaccine hubs exclusively for children ages 6 months up to and including 5 years old. These City-run sites are accessible either by appointment or walk-in. For appointments call 877-VAX-4NYC or visit vax4nyc.nyc.gov.
Parents and guardians can use New York City’s COVID-19 Vaccine Finder to find convenient locations across the five boroughs to vaccinate young children, including the 10 city Vaccine Hubs where the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine will be available for children aged six-months through, and including, five years of age. NYC's Vaccine Finder website (vaccinefinder.nyc.gov) is also updated with info on non-City sites – such as pharmacies – offering vaccination to children under 5.
Many pediatrician offices have ordered a supply of vaccines for children under 5. It's recommended that New Yorkers reach out to their child's pediatrician to see if they will be offering the vaccine.
Free At-home COVID-19 Tests for People Who Are Blind or Have Low Vision
The Biden-Harris Administration has launched a new initiative to expand the availability of at-home tests that are more accessible for people who are blind or have low vision. The tests work with a Bluetooth-enabled smartphone/tablet app to provide users with audible instructions, and audible test results. Read more about the tests.
How to get the tests:
Order online or by calling 1-800-232-0233.
- Each order will include two rapid-antigen tests that are more accessible for people who are blind or have low vision.
- Orders will ship free, while supplies last.
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.
Vaccine Booster Updates
CDC has expanded eligibility of COVID-19 vaccine booster doses to everyone 5 years of age and older, recommending that children ages 5 through 11 years should receive a booster shot 5 months after their initial Pfizer-BioNTech vaccination series.
COVID-19 Testing
“Test-to-Treat” Pharmacy Program
A new federal Test to Treat program gives people a fast and easy way to get lifesaving treatment for COVID-19. In this program, people can get tested at Test to Treat sites. If they test positive and treatments are appropriate for them, they can get a prescription from a healthcare provider and have the prescription filled all in one location. People can also bring test results obtained from a home testing kit to Test to Treat sites and get evaluated by a healthcare provider for treatment.
People can use the COVID-19 Test to Treat Locator to find Test to Treat sites near them. A call center is also available at 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489) to get help in English, Spanish, and more than 150 other languages – 8:00 am to midnight ET, 7 days a week. The Disability Information and Access Line (DIAL) is also available to specifically help people with disabilities access services. To get help, call 1-888-677-1199, Monday-Friday from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm ET or email DIAL@usaginganddisability.org.
Learn more about the program and download fact sheets in numerous languages here.
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 & Trace Corps AfterCare program has launched a hotline for New Yorkers seeking information and resources to recover from Long COVID. New Yorkers who are suffering from or suspect they may have Long COVID can now call AfterCare Navigators directly. AfterCare Navigators are health outreach specialists with experience supporting people during their COVID infection and will assess patients for their specific health and social needs and connect them to Long COVID resources. AfterCare Navigators connect patients to holistic resources – including physical and mental health referrals, community support, and financial assistance – to address the various physical symptoms, as well as the social and economic impacts, that New Yorkers with Long COVID may experience.
New Yorkers can call 212-COVID19 (212-268-4319), select their preferred language, and press 4 to speak directly to an AfterCare navigator. Learn more on the AfterCare website and through AfterCare’s Long COVID recovery guide.
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 COVID-19 Community Updates webpage.
Thank you for your partnership in serving our fellow New Yorkers in need of our services. If you have any questions or concerns about the issues covered in this communication or on our community-wide conference calls, please do not hesitate to reach out to the Office of Advocacy and Outreach at DSSoutreach@dss.nyc.gov.
In partnership,
Gary P. Jenkins
DSS Commissioner
