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March 23, 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, 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 June 6, 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.
Shelter Acquisition Fund for Nonprofit Homeless Service Providers
The City has launched a new $15 million shelter development and acquisition fund for nonprofit homeless service providers to build, own, and operate shelters. The revolving fund will alleviate the upfront financial burden that often prohibits experienced, mission-driven nonprofit homeless service providers from developing and owning their own shelter sites.
The application for the fund can be found here.
Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) Issuance for the 2020-21 School Year
OTDA recently completed issuing “Children in Child Care” (CICC) P-EBT food benefits to eligible children under age 6 for the 2020-21 school year. Children under age 6 were issued $132 for every month they received SNAP between September 2020 and June 2021. Children under 6 who received SNAP in June, July or August were also issued $375 PEBT for Summer 2021.
CICC P-EBT food benefits for children who were active on a SNAP case in November 2022 were deposited into their household’s existing SNAP case account. Eligible children who were no longer receiving SNAP were mailed P-EBT food benefit cards beginning in February 2023 with instructions explaining how to activate the card and access the CICC PEBT food benefits. The households that were issued new P-EBT food benefit cards will also receive robocalls at some point in the next several weeks with detailed information and the phone number for the P-EBT Helpline if further assistance is needed.
OTDA has also begun issuing CICC P-EBT food benefits to children under age 6 who received SNAP during the 2021-22 school year. Each eligible child will receive $31 for each month from September 2021 through June 2022 that they received SNAP. Eligible children will also receive a P-EBT Summer 2022 food benefit of $391 if they received SNAP for the months of June, July, or August 2022. OTDA anticipates completing issuing benefits to this cohort by the end of March 2023, however, districts may continue to get questions as the cards are delivered.
Just as for the 2020-2021 school year, these P-EBT benefits will be deposited into their household’s existing SNAP case account. Eligible children who are no longer receiving SNAP will be issued a new P-EBT food benefit card with instructions explaining how to activate the card and access the PEBT food benefits. Children with an existing P-EBT benefit card will have their benefits deposited into the same account.
The households that were issued this benefit on their existing SNAP case account will receive a text message during the first week of April, informing them that P-EBT food benefits were issued to their SNAP case. The households that will be issued their benefits on existing and new P-EBT food benefit cards will receive a robocall with information and the phone number for the P-EBT Helpline if further assistance is needed.
OTDA plans to begin issuing P-EBT benefits for the 2021-2022 school year to school age children in grades K-12 beginning in April.
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.
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). Please find a helpful flyer with more information about applying for HRA open positions which can be shared widely here.
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.
Fair Hearing Update – Virtual Hearing Pilot Extended
The Fair Hearing demonstration project which began on March 12, 2020 is being extended through March 12, 2024. The OTDA Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) began the virtual hearing demonstration project to assess the viability of conducting fair hearings to the greatest extent possible utilizing telephone, video, and other means of communication.
In-person hearings will still be held when:
- the applicant or recipient makes a request for an in-person hearing;
- when, in the judgment of OAH or the Hearing Officer, a party's due process rights would best be served by conducting a hearing in-person; or
- when, in the judgment of OAH or the Hearing Officer, there are circumstances which make proceeding with the hearing by telephone, video, or other means inadvisable.
End of COVID-19 Emergency Allotments to SNAP Households
The SNAP Emergency Allotments (EA) that were issued during the pandemic have ended.
The continuation of the SNAP Emergency Allotments is no longer tied to the continuation of the Public Health Emergency. As such, households receiving SNAP benefits no longer receive a second deposit after the 15th of each month beginning this month.
With the end of these emergency allotments, households currently receiving SNAP benefits will now only see a single monthly deposit of SNAP benefits.
To inform SNAP households of the ending of the emergency allotments, 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 have ended. The text messages are 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) – Extension
The HEAP Regular and Emergency benefit component closing date has been extended from March 15, 2023 to March 31, 2023, or until funds are exhausted.
Clients can apply for HEAP Regular Assistance on ACCESS HRA. All applicants for the Emergency benefit component may apply via telephone and in person.
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.
More information, including 2022-23 benefit amounts and eligibility requirements, can be found here.
2023 Farm Bill Listening Sessions
The New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) is conducting a series of listening sessions on the 2023 Farm Bill. These sessions will compliment a series of roundtable discussions held in 2022 by the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets and permit OTDA to gain additional perspectives regarding the Farm Bill’s Nutrition Title.
The Farm Bill is the primary federal legislation that governs the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) as well as an array of agricultural and food programs. The Farm Bill is scheduled to be reauthorized by Congress in 2023.
In New York State, SNAP is supervised by OTDA and administered in each county and New York City by the 58 local Departments of Social Services. In 2022, more than 2.8 million (1 in 7) New Yorkers participated in SNAP, with $9 Billion in benefits issued.
As New York finalizes its priorities for consideration in this Farm Bill reauthorization, OTDA is seeking input from a variety of stakeholders and community members. OTDA is interested in hearing from speakers on key areas impacted by the Farm Bill including SNAP eligibility, benefit calculations, employment and training programs, SNAP outreach and nutrition education, and EBT card usage and security.
SNAP recipients, community-based and statewide organizations that provide SNAP outreach, application assistance or education; food banks and food pantries; local Departments of Social Services; SNAP employment and training and other workforce and education providers; Tribal Nations; SNAP retailers; and others who are interested in federal SNAP policies are encouraged to provide testimony.
The listening sessions will be hosted by a panel consisting of OTDA leadership and staff. Registration is required to attend or speak at a listening session. The registration form includes the option to indicate an interest in speaking at an event. Participants are welcome to attend more than one session but are asked to select just one session for a representative to provide verbal comments. Speakers are invited to make brief remarks (2-3 minutes) summarizing key Farm Bill improvements that OTDA should prioritize for the benefit of New Yorkers who rely on SNAP. Comments should be directed specifically at federal provisions impacted by the Farm Bill. Speakers must pre-register for the session they plan to attend and are encouraged to provide their comments/recommendations in writing by the deadline below. Written comments will also be accepted from any organization/individual who is unable to attend a listening session. Written comments are due by Friday April 28th, 2023 and can be emailed to farmbill2023@otda.ny.gov. OTDA will consider all input as policy recommendations are developed.
The New York City Session information is listed below. Registrants will receive a reminder email with session details a few days before the event.
In-person listening sessions will not have the capability to allow for virtual participation, nor will they be livestreamed. One statewide virtual-only session will be offered for anyone who is unable to attend a listening session in person. The date, time and registration for the virtual session will be posted online shortly.
New York City
Monday April 3
12:00 noon – 2:30 pm
4 World Trade Center, 43rd Floor/Dumpson Center New York, NY 10007 (Photo ID required for entry).
The registration deadline is Tuesday, March 28, 2023
REGISTER HERE
To learn more about the Farm Bill, visit Farm Bill Primer: What is the Farm Bill?
Child Support Training Institute
HRA’s Office of Child Support Services (OCSS) Training Institute presents The Child Support Information Hour – a webinar series designed to shed light on the potentially complicated issues around child support. This year, in addition to programs designed for staff at city agencies and community-based organizations, the office is holding special lunchtime presentations intended for both clients – custodial and noncustodial parents – and professionals that work with those clients.
All trainings are held virtually on Tuesdays from 10:00 am to 11:00 am unless otherwise noted. There is no cost for these programs, and everyone is welcome. Information on upcoming sessions and links for registering are below:
Special Lunchtime Session
Child Support Agreements and Mediation Options
Tuesday, March 28 at 12:30 pm – Click Here to Register
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Description: This session is open to all noncustodial and custodial parents with a child support order – to explore the ways that agreements -either a new order or a modification - can be used to simplify and expedite obtaining or modifying a child support order by limiting visits to family court. This session will also cover how mediation can be used to address child support debt that is owed to the custodial parent.
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Best Suited For: Parents involved with child support and staff of organizations that work with individuals who have a child support case or may be considering applying for child support.
Child Support Enforcement Actions: What You Need to Know
Tuesday, April 11 at 10:00 am – Click Here to Register
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Description: This training takes a deep dive into enforcement actions that are taken when child support payments aren't made in a timely fashion. Participants will learn about when enforcement actions occur, exemptions, and how to respond to these actions.
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Best Suited For: Attorneys, parents, and staff of organizations that have a working knowledge of child support and want a deeper understanding of the administrative enforcement mechanism.
Child Support: What New Custodial Parents Need to Know
Tuesday, April 25 at 10:00 am – Click Here to Register
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Description: This training provides new mothers with information on child support – how it works, how to apply, and the benefits – including the long-term effects of child support on children. Child support can make a difference in moving a family out of poverty and many families that could benefit from the program are not taking advantage of it. The session will also address how to obtain child support safely if there is a domestic violence concern.
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Best Suited For: New custodial parents and staff of organizations that support parents.
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 and beyond 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 22, 2023, over 53,300 asylum seekers have gone through the system and been offered a place to rest at night since last spring. Over 32,200 asylum seekers are currently in the City's care. The City has opened 97 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
Fair Fares NYC is a City program that offers eligible New Yorkers a 50% discount on subway and eligible bus fares or Access-A-Ride paratransit trips regardless of immigration status.
Fair Fares is open to all eligible New Yorkers aged 18-64 at or below the Federal Poverty Level without discounted transportation from the MTA or the City. The program’s NYC residency requirement does not include a minimum timeframe. Many of the Department of Homeland Security documents provided to asylees are accepted as proof of identity.
Many Cash Assistance and SNAP recipients can ride for half price. Each eligible adult should log into Access HRA or create an account if they are not the head of their case and click “Enroll Now”.
Encourage everyone to ride for half price with Fair Fares by sharing our Social Media Fair Fares toolkit and short video. Share and amplify!
Fair Fares enrollment is simple and can be completed online: Apply for Fair Fares on ACCESS HRA! View the “How to Enroll” videos in English and Spanish
If you need assistance applying or have questions, please visit the Fair Fares website to find a location near you. Fair Fares enrollment assistance is also available at the NYC Asylum Seeker Resource Navigation Center.
Clients who need a replacement card or refund can visit any Fair Fares office or mail their damaged or expired card to:
Fair Fares NYC
P.O. Box 7099
New York, NY 10008-7099
Clients who mail their card must include the following information in the envelope along with the card:
- First and last name
- Date of Birth
- Fair Fares Client ID number
All new and replacement cards are mailed to the address provided by the client.
Fair Fares Updates and Outreach Materials
The City has created Fair Fares outreach materials - including palm cards, brochures, and posters that community organizations and others can order. Please use the Design and Print Ordering System (DPOS) website after registering on the login page.
Additional Resources and Information
Summer Youth Employment (SYEP) – Applications Open
Applications are open for the City’s Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) for young people aged 14-24. The program connects youths to paid work experience each summer, allowing them to explore their interests and possible career paths, develop workplace skills, and develop their social, civic, and leadership skills. To apply, visit nyc.gov/syep. Applications are due 3/31/2023.
Employers seeking workers can also apply to hire NYC youth through SYEP.
Annual NYC School Survey, Deadline March 31
The NYC School Survey is open and available in 10 languages, for City public school families, teachers, employees serving grades 3–K through 12, and students in grades 6–12. The Survey provides the New York City Department of Education with important community feedback about experiences in City public schools. Please encourage families and students to complete the survey by Friday, March 31. Families can access the survey by logging into their NYC Schools Account (NYCSA) or by going to www.NYCSchoolSurvey.org.
Bard Microcolleges Applications Open
Applications are now open for Bard Microcolleges, which provides local, private, tuition-free liberal arts degree programs for students of any age in New York City, based at the Brooklyn Public Library and at Harlem’s Countee Cullen Library (which offers a special focus on system-impacted students and those interested in social justice). They offer small, seminar-style classes with Bard professors, which earn Bard credits toward a Bard AA degree. Applying to the Bard Microcolleges is simple, and begins with an in-person writing session at either location. Learn more, join the mailing list, or sign up to apply here or email microcollege@bard.edu with questions.
Fresh Air Fund
The Fresh Air Fund, is a not-for-profit youth development organization that provides free outdoor summer experiences to children from New York City’s most under-resourced communities.
At sleepaway camps in New York’s Mid-Hudson Valley, visiting volunteer host families along the East Coast and in NYC-based programs, children have new experiences, learn new skills and gain new perspectives. Fresh Air children also participate in year-round leadership, career exploration, and educational programs. See the Fresh Air Fund’s Outreach flyer to learn more: English, Spanish, and Mandarin.
Learn more about Fresh Air Fund 2022. Attend Fresh Air Funds Annual Community Partner Kick Off Meeting by registering here.
Fresh Air Fund is hiring! Click here to view their job openings.
New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) Community Assessment Survey of Older Adults
The New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) has launched the state's first-ever statewide Community Assessment Survey of Older Adults. Individuals 60+, are invited to take NYSOFA’s anonymous survey. The survey takes approximately ten minutes, and feedback will directly influence age-friendly policies and programs.
NYSOFA also offers unpaid caregivers—of which there are an estimated 4.1 million statewide—access to the caregiver education and support portal Trualta at newyork-caregivers.com online on smartphones, iPads or computers. There, caregivers can view tips—in English and Spanish—for caring for individuals with dementia or Alzheimer’s, diabetes, disabilities, and heart disease. Those who’ve used Trualta report a reduction in stress, loneliness, and burnout—and an improvement in the care they provide. Read more at the NYSOFA website.
Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) Guide to Resources
The Mayor’s office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) has crafted a guide to resources for immigrants, in over a dozen languages.
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
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.
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.
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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