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March 10, 2023
Dear Community Partner:
Thank you for your partnership in our shared commitment to serve New Yorkers in need. I am honored to step into the role of Acting Commissioner of the Department of Social Services. In my time as DHS First Deputy Commissioner the dedication of our community partners never failed to impress me, and I look forward to working with all the partners to DSS moving forward. I hope that this communication, as well as the community-wide conference calls, continue to serve as an important platform to share information and answer your questions. We all will continue our work toward the shared goal of fighting poverty, income inequality, and addressing homelessness in our city with care and compassion for our clients, staff, and provider partners.
As a reminder, sign up here to be added to the list of invitees for our quarterly community call and sign up here be added to our distribution list to receive this weekly communication. The next community call will be held on March 14, 2023 at 4 pm. Invites with the Zoom link will be sent the week prior.
Important updates as well as an ongoing synopsis of the information shared in prior communications are on our DSS Community Updates page. I encourage you to use and share this link to answer questions on the many topics we have covered.
FHEPS Updates
The FHEPS A and FHEPS B payment standards and utility allowance amounts have increased. A revised table of allowance levels can be found here.
The following temporary changes to the FHEPS A program have been extended until December 31, 2023:
- Waiver of the court action requirement and acceptance of a rent demand letter.
- Increase in the rent arrears amount without documentation of extenuating circumstances to $20,000.
Updated Storage Fee Schedule
The new HRA storage limits can be found at the bottom of this email.
End of COVID-19 Emergency Allotments to SNAP Households
As a reminder, SNAP Emergency Allotments (EA) were issued to all Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipient households for the month of February 2023. This was the last distribution of SNAP Emergency Allotments.
Households currently receiving SNAP benefits will now see a reduction in the monthly benefits they receive with the end of these emergency allotments in the March payment.
To inform SNAP households of this reduction in benefits, the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance conducted a targeted outreach campaign which includes the following:
The Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for Emergency Allotment (EA) SNAP Benefits page on the OTDA website has been updated to reflect important information on the discontinuation of supplemental EA benefits.
The FAQ page includes links to and/or information on:
A letter titled, SNAP Emergency Allotments are Ending, was mailed to all SNAP households in February, informing them that February would be the last month they are eligible to receive EA and advising those who have experienced a loss of income and/or an increase in expenses which may result in an increase in their normal monthly SNAP benefit amount, to report changes to their local department of social services.
- This correspondence is generic and not personalized to a household’s specific case or budget.
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The letter includes the Connect EBT hyperlink and phone number (1-888-328-6399) to check card balances.
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The letter also includes the OTDA hotline number: 1-800-342-3009. Note: the hotline IVRS and operators will not be able to provide more specific information beyond what will be included in the household letter and the EA FAQ webpage.
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The letter is available in English, Spanish, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, French, Haitian-Creole, Italian, Korean, Polish, Russian, Yiddish and Urdu.
OTDA is also deploying at least three text blasts during the first three months of 2023 to SNAP households to increase awareness that EA benefit issuances are ending and allow as much time as possible to prepare. The text messages will be sent from 1-877-902-0684. Clients can be informed that these text messages are legitimate and are not spam or a scam. The texts have used the following language:
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January Message: NY OTDA: SNAP Emergency Allotments (EA) end in February. Learn more: otda.ny.gov/EA-SNAP
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February Message: NY OTDA: This is the last month for SNAP Emergency Allotments (EA). Learn more: otda.ny.gov/EA-SNAP
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March message: NY OTDA: SNAP EA benefits have ended. Only regular SNAP will be issued in March: otda.ny.gov/EA-SNAP
Additionally, to help ensure clients are appropriately notified of this change HRA/DSS has:
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Posted a statement regarding the change on the agency and ACCESSHRA websites, which will also link to OTDA’s website and flyer.
- Issued an email notification to SNAP households with email addresses on file.
2022-23 Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) Second Emergency Benefit
Clients are now able to submit an application for HEAP Regular Assistance on ACCESS HRA
As of February 27, 2023, a second HEAP Emergency benefit for heat and heat-related emergencies is available to eligible households until March 15, 2023, when the Emergency component closes.
The eligibility criteria for the Second Emergency benefit is the same as the First Emergency benefit, which began January 3, 2023, and is slated to end March 5, 2023, but will continue until funding allocated to this component is exhausted. Applicants must have exhausted, or have unavailable to them, both the Regular benefit and the First Emergency benefit to be eligible for the Second Emergency benefit. First and Second Emergency benefits cannot be issued concurrently.
All applicants for the Emergency benefit component may apply via telephone and in person.
More information, including 2022-23 benefit amounts and eligibility requirements, can be found here.
Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) Plans and Issuance Schedule – SY 2021-22 & Summer 2022
The NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) announced Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) plans for School Age Children and Children in Child Care for the 2021-22 school year and Summer 2022.
The planned issuance schedule for the 2021-22 school year is as follows:
March 2023: Payments issued to SNAP-enrolled children in childcare. The State’s plan for SNAP-enrolled children in childcare covers the months of September 2021 through June 2022.
April 2023:
- Payments issued to eligible public and charter school children with five consecutive days of reduced attendance/absences. Summer 2022 payments will be included for eligible children enrolled in June 2022.
- Summer 2022 payments issued to all public and charter school children enrolled in June 2022 but who did not have five consecutive days of reduced attendance/absences.
May 2023: the State opens the reconsideration request portal allowing parents to submit a Reconsideration Request Application requesting payment for COVID-related absences.
Children in private schools (non-public, non-charter) will also be issued benefits for the entire school year on a rolling basis entirely established by the availability of non-public attendance data beginning April 2023. However, the State Education Department (SED) has communicated that the data will likely not be made available and transmitted to Information Technology Services (OITS) and OTDA until late Spring/early Summer 2023.
As a reminder, qualifying households do not apply for the P-EBT program; OTDA administers the program and automatically issue benefits to all eligible children.
Individuals can check their family's P-EBT food benefit transaction history by visiting www.connectebt.com or calling 1-888-328-6399.
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.
Medicaid Easements Ending – March 31, 2023
Under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023, the continuous coverage requirement (CCR) and continuation of Medicaid easements are no longer tied to the federal COVID-19 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. States have been issued guidance detailing requirements for readying Medicaid eligibility systems and processes for restarting Medicaid redeterminations and returning to pre-pandemic regular Medicaid program rules and operations.
Renewals with authorization end date through May 31, 2023, will be extended. However, renewals with authorization end dates in June 2023 must be fully processed (i.e., clients must return their renewal and provide relevant documentation to continue their coverage).
All cases with authorization dates ending June 30, 2023, will undergo a full review with no easements applied. Clients will be required to provide all documentation for application and renewal as was required pre-pandemic. Beginning on July 1, 2023, all new applications will return to full eligibility review, including full documentation.
The following conditions of eligibility will be required for new applications and requests for increases in coverage received on or after July 1, 2023:
- Individuals turning 65 must apply for other benefits as a condition of eligibility, including, but not limited to, Medicare, Social Security, and Veteran's benefits.
- Districts must resume application of the requirement to pursue all available income and resources as a condition of Medicaid eligibility. This includes the requirement to pursue maximum periodic payments from a retirement account. If a consumer who is eligible to receive periodic payments without incurring a penalty does not show proof of filing for such payments, the consumer is ineligible for Medicaid; the retirement fund cannot be treated as a countable resource if a consumer fails to pursue periodic payments.
- Referrals to comply with absent parent requirements will resume effective July 1, 2023.
- Individuals with third-party health insurance (TPHI) will again be required to provide information concerning available insurance, and local districts are required to make new cost-effective determinations for possible reimbursement. Information provided regarding terminated or changed TPHI will require verification with the carrier or written documentation to substantiate the termination or changes. Districts should request necessary information whenever they become aware of a possible change or during any renewal process.
NYC Free Tax Prep: Tax Season 2023
The Department of Social Services/Human Resources Administration (DSS/HRA) is partnering with the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) for the City’s Annual Tax Season Initiative to help working individuals and families learn about and claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) in order to reach more eligible New Yorkers. New Yorkers who earned $80,000 or less in 2022 can use NYC Free Tax Prep to file for free with the help of an IRS certified Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)/Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) volunteer preparer. NYC Free Tax Prep volunteer preparers can help New Yorkers claim valuable tax credits, including a bigger NYC EITC (Earned Income Tax Credit).
Help spread awareness so that New Yorkers don’t miss out on valuable tax credits or spend their hard-earned money on tax prep fees. Below are some tools to help amplify NYC Free Tax Prep:
Digital Toolkit:
Print materials:
Note: Additional translations will be available on the Tax Campaign page in the coming weeks.
City Services for Asylum Seekers Arriving in NYC
As of March 8, 2023, over 50,700 asylum seekers have gone through the system and been offered a place to rest at night since last spring. Over 31,100 asylum seekers are currently in the City's care. The City has opened 94 emergency shelters and 7 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!
Many Cash Assistance and SNAP household members can ride for half price. Each non-elderly adult should log into Access HRA or create an account if they are not the head of the case and click “Enroll Now” button.
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. Many of the Department of Homeland Security documents provided to asylees are accepted as proof of identity.
Fair Fares enrollment is simple and can be completed online: Apply for Fair Fares on ACCESS HRA! Share the “How to Enroll” videos in English and Spanish.
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.
Fair Fares Updates and Outreach Materials
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.
To learn more about the income eligibility levels for the Fair Fares discount, check out the quick guide to the 2023 Federal Poverty Guidelines here.
Additional Resources and Information
Department of Sanitation Updated Trash Set-Out Times
Starting 4/1, new DSNY trash set-out times will take effect for both businesses and residences. If using a trash can or container with a secure lid:
- Residences can place waste at the curb starting at 6 pm.
- Businesses may set out trash 1 hour before closing in a secure container. If using trash bags, residences and businesses should place waste out after 8 pm (and no later than midnight).
NYC Civic Corps and City Service Corps Host Site Applications Open
Host site applications for NYC Civic Corps and City Service Corps are being accepted until 3/10. Learn more at the link. NYC Civic Corps recruits and places AmeriCorps members to serve full time at select community-based organization host sites. City Service Corps recruits individuals to serve full time at select City agencies for 10 months.
NYC Unity Grants
The NYC Unity Project, the City’s LGBTQ+ interagency coordinating body, executes LGBTQ+ policy, programs, communication, internal engagement, strategic advising, and outreach at the Mayor’s Office.
The NYC Unity Project, in partnership with the Office to Prevent Hate Crimes (OPHC), the Mayor’s Office of Equity (MOE), and Destination Tomorrow, is pleased to announce for the first time the availability of Capacity Building Innovation Grants (“NYC Unity Grants”) for Transgender, Gender Non-Conforming, Non-Binary (TGNCNB) - serving organizations demonstrating strong TGNCNB leadership to serve their communities now and in the years ahead.
The purpose of this grant opportunity is to invest in the sustainability of TGNCNB- serving organizations by centering community identified needs, as well as equitable, effective, and efficient delivery of services.
All submissions must be submitted electronically by March 17, 2023. Applications will be reviewed, and grantees announced in March. All projects must be concluded by June 30, 2023.
For additional information on the funding criteria, qualifications, and requirements for the NYC Unity Grants, visit Unity Project TGNCNB Capacity Building Grants (“Unity Grants”) - Generation NYC (cityofnewyork.us)
Statistical Summary of NYC Data
The Partnership for New York City publishes a regular statistical summary of NYC data; here's a link to the current “Signs of Progress.”
Sadie Nash Summer Institute Summer Program for Girls
Applications for the Sadie Nash Summer Institute are open, funded in part by discretionary funds from the City Council through the STARS Citywide Girls Initiative. Their Summer Institute is an award-winning six-week program for participants to explore their leadership skills and build a strong community. Participate in workshops about identity and social justice; meet accomplished women and gender-expansive elected officials, business owners, and artists. More information and application at the link; priority given to applications received before 4/3 (final deadline 4/17).
First Tech Program – Virtual Fellowship Program for High School Students
First Tech Fund is recruiting low-income high school students for their virtual fellowship program. Fellows will participate in weekly virtual workshops on careers and foundational digital skills, are eligible to receive free laptop and/or WiFi hotspot, and can opt into mentorship with a young professional. Learn more and apply here (Spanish translation available here) by 4/1.
Employment Opportunities with the City of NY
The City Dept. of Administrative Services (DCAS) manages job recruitment for city government, including examinations for Civil Service. Start at this page, or search for jobs here (to search by agency or area of interest) or here (to search by job ID# or agency)
Composting Expansion Schedule
The City has announced an expansion of the curbside composting program, scheduled to provide curbside composing to all boroughs by October 2024. For more information on the announcement visit: https://www.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/news/084-23/mayor-adams-roadmap-nation-s-largest-compost-collection-program-including-achieving#/0
Expansion schedule below:
- March 27, 2023: Service restarts in Queens following a brief winter pause and becomes year-round. There will be no further seasonal breaks in any borough.
- October 2, 2023: Service begins in Brooklyn.
- March 25, 2024: Service begins in Staten Island and the Bronx.
- October 7, 2024: Service comes to Manhattan, marking the first citywide curbside composting program ever.
Drop off composting sites continue to be available here.
New Digital Resources to Support NYC Outreach
The City’s Public Engagement Unit is proud to partner with many of you to support New Yorkers and get them the benefits they deserve. We’re grateful for our collaborations to serve New Yorkers. So, we’re excited to announce a new collection of digital resources, toolkits, and flyers available for your use! This content helps connect New Yorkers to housing benefits, tenants' rights, health coverage, and more.
We hope that you can share this with your teams to help us support New York City residents. We have posting text, translations, and graphics in many sizes. Find all resources on our website at nyc.gov/PEURESOURCES.
GetCoveredNYC Virtual Information Session in Spanish
PEU’s GetCoveredNYC team is partnering with NYSOH, NYC Care, OCHIA, and DOHMH, to bring a virtual Town Hall in Spanish on March 7th at 2 PM! Staff will be speaking about health insurance and answering questions! Join and share the link: on.nyc.gov/seguroNYC.
The NYC Public Engagement Unit GetCoveredNYC Event Round-Up
GetCoveredNYC has continued to connect New Yorkers to health coverage and health information during the New Year. We’ve partnered with our partners at the Office of Citywide Health Insurance Access and Queens Public Library on a series of Health Insurance 101 Workshops, presented during NYC Health + Hospitals’ Health Care Access digital info sessions and continued our routine tabling efforts at libraries, community centers, and HRA offices in every borough. Excitingly, we just launched our weekly social media roundup of GetCoveredNYC events, helping people find free health care support in-person. This week’s round-up is posted here. Please share widely!
Health-Related Updates
COVID Vaccines
Coronavirus vaccines have been added to the list of routine immunizations recommended by the CDC for children, adolescents and adults
To be eligible for the new bivalent booster you must be at least two months out from completing your primary two-dose vaccination series or your last booster and be aged 12+ for the Pfizer shot and 18+ for Moderna. If you have recently had Covid, you must be fully recovered with negative tests to receive another vaccine.
Find a location to receive your booster shot here.
COVID-19 Testing
Resources and information about COVID-19 Testing is available at the NYC Test and Treat home page, as well as our COVID-19 Community Updates page.
When the public health emergencies end on 5/11/23, Medicare recipients will no longer be eligible for free at-home COVID tests, but those with Part B will be covered for COVID tests done at labs.
Currently, free at-home COVID-19 rapid tests continue to be available to order online and by phone from the Federal Government. Every home in the United States is eligible to order 4 free at-home tests per residential address.
The United States Postal Service will deliver tests to anyone who wants them. All orders in the continental United States will be sent through First Class Package Service.
By Phone
You can get assistance by phone if you are having difficulty accessing the internet or need additional support to place your order.
- Agency: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Division: Test Kit Fulfillment Line
- Phone Number: (800) 232-0233
- Business Hours: Daily: 8 AM - Midnight
- Staff is available during business hours. Most languages are available through a representative.
Test-and-Treat
New Yorkers can visit nyc.gov/covidtest to find a city-run testing site most convenient and accessible to them. Multiple COVID-19 treatments are available for people ages 12 and older and can be delivered to New Yorkers’ homes for free.
For more information on COVID-19 treatments, call 212-COVID19 and press 9 or visit nyc.gov/health/covidtreatments. Calling 212-COVID19 provides New Yorkers an immediate connection to a clinician who can refer them to monoclonal antibody treatment or prescribe antiviral medications, like Paxlovid, and arrange to have it delivered to their home that same day.
Federal COVID-19 Resource Website
The Biden administration has introduced covid.gov, a federal website meant to help Americans who are infected with the virus find the treatment they need quickly and at no cost. On the website, people can find locations to get tests and anti-viral pills, find the locations of vaccination sites and places to acquire high-quality masks; fill out a form to order eight free at-home coronavirus tests per household; view their community’s risk level according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; and get general information on Covid symptoms, treatment, testing and travel.
The website is available in English, Spanish and Chinese. The administration is also making all these tools available over the phone through the national vaccine hotline at 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489), which supports over 150 languages.
AfterCare Program for Long COVID
The NYC Test & Treat Corps AfterCare program has launched a hotline for New Yorkers seeking information and resources to recover from Long COVID. New Yorkers who are suffering from or suspect they may have Long COVID can now call AfterCare Navigators directly. AfterCare Navigators are health outreach specialists with experience supporting people during their COVID infection and will assess patients for their specific health and social needs and connect them to Long COVID resources. AfterCare Navigators connect patients to holistic resources – including physical and mental health referrals, community support, and financial assistance – to address the various physical symptoms, as well as the social and economic impacts, that New Yorkers with Long COVID may experience.
New Yorkers can call 212-COVID19 (212-268-4319), select their preferred language, and press 4 to speak directly to an AfterCare navigator. Learn more on the AfterCare website and through AfterCare’s Long COVID recovery guide.
Disability Information and Access Line (DIAL)
The trained staff at the Disability Information and Access Line (DIAL) can provide assistance with:
- Ordering tests.
- Understanding instructions for test administration and test results.
- Providing alternative instructions for traditional at-home tests for people who are unable to access, read, or understand the manufacturer’s version.
- For those who cannot use an at-home test, DIAL operators can:
- Assist with ordering “swab and send” kits to collect a sample and mail it back for results.
- Connect callers to local organizations for assistance locating other testing options in their community, including in-home testing programs or transportation or companion support to visit a community-based testing site.
Call 888-677-1199 Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Eastern) or email DIAL@usaginganddisability.org.
Community-wide Conference Call
We look forward to your continued participation on our quarterly briefing calls and your ongoing work to help make sure that the critical information shared here and in our quarterly calls is being communicated to our shared clients.
The information contained in this communication is a synopsis of what is being shared on our community-wide conference calls as well as new developments and useful information regarding other City benefits and services. All of the information included in each of our prior communications, since March 2020, is available on our website on the Community Updates webpage.
Thank you for your partnership in serving our fellow New Yorkers in need of our services. If you have any questions or concerns about the issues covered in this communication or on our community-wide calls, or if you would like to be added to our distribution or community call invitation list, please reach out to the Office of Community Outreach at DSSoutreach@dss.nyc.gov.
In partnership,
Molly Wasow Park
DSS Acting Commissioner
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