May 11, 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.

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.

HRA Guide to Services

As a reminder, HRA provides a comprehensive guide to benefits and services offered. The Guide to Services can be found here, and can be ordered for distribution and use on our website.

Municipal agencies should use this link to order, and community partner organizations should use this link for ordering.

Cash Assistance Application Interviews On-Demand

HRA is rolling out a new on-demand system for Cash Assistance applications. Applicants as well as recipients of Cash Assistance who submit a new application or a recertification will be able to complete the Cash Assistance interview by calling for an interview rather than waiting for a call from HRA. This new on-demand interview model launched on April 17, 2023, and will be rolling out to serve all new and existing clients. During this phase in period, clients who should be using the on-demand interview system will be provided detailed instructions on how to do so. To optimize roll-out, only those clients and applicants who receive instructions with a phone number to call should be utilizing this option. Clients who have questions regarding an existing application or case should call the Infoline One Number line at 718-557-1399 or visit the ACCESS HRA website at nyc.gov/accesshra.

ACCESS HRA Updates

ACCESS HRA is now offering the following new features:

• Medicaid Renewals – most Medicaid only clients with authorizations ending June 30, 2023 or later will now be able to submit their renewal online by logging in to ACCESS HRA. This provides an online alternative to completing the MAP-206F or MAP-909E.
• Submit Medicaid renewal documents through the ACCESS HRA mobile app – after submitting their Medicaid renewal questions, clients will see a list of required documents to complete their renewal in the mobile app and client portal. These required documents can now be uploaded using the mobile app.
• View Medicaid Notices electronically on the ACCESS HRA client portal and ACCESS HRA mobile app.
• Clients can now apply for the HEAP Cooling Assistance benefit on ACCESS HRA.

The ACCESS HRA client portal can be found at www.nyc.gov/accesshra. For the ACCESS HRA User Guide, click here.

Trainings on ACCESS HRA are available for community organizations! Sign up here.

SNAP & P-EBT Targeted Text Outreach – New Sender Short Code Phone Number

As of April 25, 2023, the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) will use the new short code phone number “696832” to send all future SNAP and P-EBT related text messages to households.

Since 2020, OTDA has employed largescale text blasts to inform households of P-EBT issuances, as well as the termination of supplemental SNAP Emergency Allotments. The most recent targeted text effort sent messages from 1-877-902-0684. Moving forward, text messages will no longer be sent from 1-877-902-0684, and will instead be sent from the short code “696832”. Messages received from the short code phone number “696832” are legitimate and not a scam or spam.

Cooling Assistance Benefit

The application period for the 2023 Cooling Assistance benefit opened on May 1, 2023, and will end close of business on August 31, 2023, or until funds are no longer available (whichever comes first). Applications for the Cooling Assistance benefit can be submitted in-person, by phone, over through ACCESS HRA. Please see the link below for further information on how to apply in-person and by phone.

Eligible households receive a cooling benefit of up to $800 for the purchase and installation of an air conditioner. If one cannot be installed safely, a fan will be provided.

Benefits are provided on a first come first served basis to eligible applicants. Applicants are only eligible for a Cooling Assistance Benefit once every five years.

Visit the HEAP webpage for more information on the Cooling benefit.

Child Support Pay It Off Program Opens in June

The DSS Office of Child Support Services is asking for your help in promoting its Pay It Off (PIO) program being offered again for the month of June 2023 (June 1-30th). This program reduces debt permanently owed to the Department of Social Services (DSS) by doubling the value of the payment when a noncustodial parent makes a minimum payment of $500, up to the total DSS debt owed. As an example, a $500 payment will result in $1,000 reduced in child support debt owed to DSS. NCPs who pay off the principle of a money judgment, will have their DSS interest removed which is often three times the amount of their payment.

We are asking providers, such as yourselves, to help promote the program with the clients you serve. We want noncustodial parents, and friends or relatives of noncustodial parents, to learn about the program as soon as possible so they can begin saving for their PIO payment ($500 minimum).

Medicaid Renewals

As a reminder, Medicaid easements were lifted as of April 1, 2023. 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). Clients with cases that are due for renewal in June 2023 (authorizations ending in June) have been mailed their renewal packages and should proceed with completion of such. Please help to make sure that clients are aware of these requirements. These cases 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 will not 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.

COVID-19 Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) Issuance for the 2021-22 School Year & Summer 2022

OTDA recently started issuing Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) food benefits to eligible children for the 2021-22 school year and summer 2022. Automatic payments will begin to be issued in May 2023, with majority of benefit payments being made during the month of May and continuing through September 2023. 

All P-EBT food benefits for the 2021-2022 school year will be issued in the following manner: If an eligible child is still on an existing SNAP case, P-EBT food benefits will be deposited into their household’s existing EBT 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 P-EBT food benefits, or they will receive the benefits on an existing P-EBT Food Benefit card if they have already been issued one. 

P-EBT food benefits will remain available and accessible on the EBT or P-EBT food benefit card for 274 days from the date they were issued. 

Households may be notified that benefits have been issued either via text message issued by OTDA (OTDA text message short code 696832) or robocall from the P-EBT Helpline, operated by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) Human Services Call Center. 

P-EBT Summer 2022 Benefits for Kindergarten through Grade 12 Students 

For the Summer 2022 period, students attending and enrolled in an NSLP-participating school in June 2022 and certified eligible for Free/Reduced Price Lunch are eligible for a one-time $391 benefit. Once school enrollment data is received by schools and processed by OTDA, all eligible children will receive the summer 2022 benefit automatically. There is no application for the summer 2022 benefit, except for some Pre-K students who must apply for school year and summer benefits through the application portal. Benefits will be issued in the same manner as the 2021-2022 school year benefit, and in many cases, will be paid at the same time as a 2021-2022 school year benefit. 

P-EBT Food Benefits for SNAP and TA Households with Children Under Age 6 

OTDA also started issuing P-EBT food benefits to children under age 6 who received SNAP during the 2021-2022 school year, including any eligible children who attended pre-kindergarten (Pre-K). Each eligible child will receive $31 per month for each month they received SNAP from September 2021 through June 2022. Eligible children will also receive a Summer 2022 P-EBT food benefit of $391 if they received SNAP for the months of June, July, or August 2022. Most of the benefits for this group were issued in April 2023. 

Households may apply to be considered for additional benefits for any month that a child under age 6: 

• Was in receipt of SNAP, 
• Received $31 automatically as described above, 
• Attended pre-kindergarten, AND 
• Was absent or remote learning for 6 or more days in that month due to COVID-19. 

Parents will be asked to submit additional documentation from the child’s Pre-K school to verify this information. If approved, the child will be issued the difference between the $31 benefit and the school year P-EBT benefit for that month. 

Application Portal 

For any additional absences during the 2021-2022 school year (other than five consecutive days for which benefits will automatically be issued) families will have the option to apply via a newly created online application. The application allows parents to attest to their child’s total number of COVID-19 related absences and remote learning days for each month of the 2021-2022 school year. The child’s school must have submitted attendance data, which OTDA will compare to the parent’s attestation to validate the household’s application for benefits. OTDA will pay the difference between any benefits that have already been issued for the 2021-2022 school year and the tiered monthly benefit amounts based on parent/guardian attestation and the attendance data received from the child's school. 

Because daily attendance records were not available for children attending Pre-K programs, most children who attended Pre-K in the 2021-22 school year will not receive automatic school year or summer payments. The online application will allow parents/guardians to provide documentation validating FRPL eligibility, NSLP school enrollment, and eligible absences. Applications and supporting documentation will be reviewed to determine eligibility for P-EBT food benefits and benefit levels for the 2021-22 school year and the Summer 2022 benefit. 

The application portal is scheduled to open on May 15. Applications will be accepted through August 15, 2023. All approved benefits will be issued by the end of September 2023. Specific instructions to use the portal will be available when the portal website opens. Applicants can receive assistance with applying by calling the P-EBT Helpline at 1-833-452-0096. The application will be available on the P-EBT FAQ webpage by May 15^th. 2023.  

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. P-EBT Frequently Asked Questions can be found on the OTDA website.  

Information about benefits for the 2022-2023 school year and Summer 2023 period is forthcoming.

2022-23 Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) – Extended Emergency Component Closing Date

The HEAP Emergency benefit component closing date has been extended to COB on May 19, 2023 or until funds are exhausted. The benefit was previously extended to April 28 from March 31.

More information, including 2022-23 benefit amounts and eligibility requirements, can be found here.

Expiration of the Temporary Expansion of SNAP Student Eligibility Exemption Criteria

The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 created two temporary SNAP eligibility exemptions for students enrolled at least half-time in an institution of higher education in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This legislation expanded SNAP eligibility by providing temporary exemptions from SNAP student eligibility requirements to two groups of college students:

• Students eligible for a work study program (actual participation in a program was not required);
• Students with an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of $0 on their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

The temporary student eligibility exemptions are scheduled to end because the federal public health emergency (PHE) is expiring on May 11th, 2023. Following the PHE expiration on May 11, 2023, the temporary exemptions will remain in effect for an additional 30 days and during this period, SNAP applications and recertifications can continue to be processed using the temporary exemptions. This means that the temporary student exemptions end for initial SNAP applications filed on or after June 10, 2023. For ongoing households, the temporary exemptions end at the household's next recertification, beginning July 1, 2023.

Timeline for Expiration of Temporary Student Exemptions

• For new applications, the temporary student exemptions can be applied to applications submitted on or before June 9, 2023. After that date, only the permanent exemptions can be considered when determining eligibility.
• For students recertifying, the temporary student exemptions can be applied to recertifications submitted by June 30, 2023. Recertification applications submitted through June 30, 2023, must be processed using the temporary student exemptions, regardless of when the recertification is processed or the household’s expiring certification end date. Recertifications  submitted on or after July 1, 2023, must be processed using only the permanent exemption criteria. Students in households that submit their recertification application by June 30, 2023, and are recertified retain their temporary student exemption until their next recertification.

OTDA has developed an End of the Temporary COVID-19 SNAP Student Eligibility Exemptions—Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document which outlines important information about the end of the temporary student eligibility exemptions and how some students may remain eligible for SNAP due to at least one of the permanent student eligibility exemptions. The FAQ can be accessed by visiting the OTDA College Student Expanded SNAP Rules.

2023 CUNY Citizenship Now! Subway Series Spring Event

The Department of Social Services (DSS) is sponsoring CUNY’s annual Citizenship Now! event on Saturday, May 20, 2023, from 10am – 2:30pm at John Jay College of Criminal Justice (524 W 59th Street New York, NY 10019). 

During this event, legal staff and volunteers will interview about 250 legal permanent residents to confirm they are eligible for citizenship, assist them in completing their N-400 applications for naturalization and help them request a fee waiver, if eligible. Staff will also make photocopies of the applicant’s supporting documents to be included in their application packet. DSS staff will provide information on DSS/HRA programs and services as well as assist eligible participants with obtaining their Medicaid letters. 

In light of expected fee increases and a revamp of the citizenship test, CUNY Citizenship Now!, Dominicanos USA, and Univision are holding this special Subway Series edition of their monthly events. 

Appointments are required. 

To register:

• Call 646-664-9400, or 212-652-2071 (No texts) 
• Text 929-334-3784 (No calls) 
• Request a call by completing this form. 

For more information on required documents, visit the CUNY Citizenship Now! website.   

Event flyers are available in the following languages:

English, Spanish, Arabic, Urdu, Bengali, Russian, Polish, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Korean, and Haitian-Creole. 

CUNY Citizenship Now! provides free, high-quality, and confidential immigration law services to help applicants on their path to U.S. Citizenship. For more information on CUNY Citizenship Now!, click here. 

Benefit Eligibility for Parolees Under the New Processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently implemented new parole processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans. The new parole processes allow qualified beneficiaries who are outside the U.S. and lack U.S. entry documents to be considered for advanced authorization to travel and a temporary period of parole for up to two years for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit. Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans participating in these processes must have a supporter in the U.S. who agrees to provide them with financial support for the duration of their parole in the U.S. Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans who enter the U.S. under these new processes may be paroled into the U.S. for up to two years.

Non-citizens paroled for less than one year may be eligible for Safety Net Assistance (SNA), if otherwise eligible. Non-citizens paroled for one year or more are qualified non-citizens and may be eligible for federal public benefits such as Family Assistance (FA), the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP).

The People’s Money (2022-2023)

From May 10th, 2023 through June 25th, 2023, all New Yorkers, ages 11 or up, regardless of immigration status, can vote to fund projects in their borough and/or neighborhood. For online voting, residents will visit https://on.nyc.gov/pb and enter their zip codes to determine the ballot they receive or go to one of many in-person voting sites and or pop-up voting events to vote on a paper ballot.

There are many ways to get involved and spread the word:

1. Post Online: Beginning on May 10, 2023, everyone can use the Civic Engagement Commission’s digital toolkit to post on social media and email their networks.
2. Organizations and groups can invite CEC staff to attend their event/meeting/forum to lead a voting activity between May 10th - June 25th, or groups can request paper ballots and a ballot box to organize their own activities. Click here to sign up.
3. Individuals can volunteer with the Civic Engagement Commission to canvass and table at pop-up events with paper ballots! Click here to sign up.

NYS Department of Health (DOH) – Communications Tool Kit to Keep New Yorkers Covered by Health Insurance

The NYS Department of Health (DOH) developed outreach resources to inform enrollees about the importance of returning Medicaid renewals and updating their contact information. The Public Health Emergency Unwinding Communications Tool Kit consists of the following resources:

• NYS Medicaid videos
• “Keep Your Health, Keep Your Coverage” (English and Spanish)
• “Here to Help” (English, Spanish, Mandarin and Russian)
• How to Renew Your Health Insurance videos
• “How to Renew through Your Local Department of Social Services” (English and Spanish)
• “How to Renew through HRA” (English and Spanish)
• How to Renew Your Health Insurance infographics (PDF and PNG)
• “How to Renew through Your Local Department of Social Services” (English and 13 additional languages)
• “How to Renew through HRA” (English and 13 additional languages)
• Social media posts with images about renewing Medicaid coverage through Local Departments of Social Services or HRA (English and 13 additional languages)
• Frequently Asked Questions for New Yorkers enrolled through their Local Department of Social Services or HRA (English and 13 other languages)
• Additional templates (in English and 13 additional languages) that can be updated with your office’s information, including drop in articles (short and long) and an email message to share with your distribution lists

Click here to access all the outreach materials listed above.

OMNY

OMNY is the MTA’s new contactless fare payment system for public transportation in the New York region. OMNY gives commuters more ways to pay their fares with contactless cards, phones, smart devices and OMNY cards. 

The MTA plans to roll out OMNY for Paratransit/Access-A-Ride (AAR), students, Fair Fares, and systemwide across the MTA.

Customers in the MTA’s Reduced-Fare MetroCard program can now make the switch to OMNY and get the same half fare benefit with the contactless credit/debit card or smart device of their choice. Use the digital assistant in the bottom-right of the OMNY website and follow the prompts to switch from Reduced-Fare MetroCard to OMNY. Click here for Reduced-Fare

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

The OMNY website is omny.info and customers can get live help through the Digital Assistant feature. The OMNY customer service team can be reached 7 days a week between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at 877-789-6669.

The website allows customers to register for a free, optional, and secure OMNY account with a personalized dashboard, where they can:

• View up to 12 months of their trips and charges
• See how close they are to free rides
• Refill (and set up auto-refill for) their OMNY cards
• Transfer OMNY card balance to a new card if they lose the old one; and
• Send a question to OMNY Customer Service, 24/7.

Click here to learn about fares and discounts.

Save the Date: Office of Child Support Services Conference in October

The Office of Child Support Services (OCSS) will be hosting a conference titled, Confronting Structural Racism in the Child Support Program: Listening, Understanding, and Taking Action. It will take place on October 26th, please save the date. More details will be forthcoming. 

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.

City Services for Asylum Seekers Arriving in NYC

As of May 10, 2023, over 65,000 asylum seekers have gone through the system and been offered a place to rest at night since last spring. Over 39,400 asylum seekers are currently in the City's care. The City has opened 130 emergency shelters and 8 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, regardless of immigration status, a 50% discount on subway and eligible bus fares or Access-A-Ride paratransit trips.

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 non-elderly 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

The Mayor’s Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes (OPHC) & City Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) Grant Opportunity

The Mayor’s Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes (OPHC) and the City Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) offer individuals, groups, non-profit organizations, academic institutions, and other entities grants up to $5,000 to implement “creative projects that promote community respect, prevent hate violence, and seek to address hate crimes, bias-motivated incidents, and discrimination through pathways outside of law enforcement and the criminal legal system.”

Click here to learn more and apply for Community Project Grants to Prevent and Address Bias and Hate. Applications will be reviewed and approved on a rolling basis through May 17, 2023.

8^th Annual Healing the Hurt Conference

Healing the Hurt was originally launched in 2014 in response to a surge in community violence impacting youth-serving programs. DYCD and Vibrant Emotional Health have since collaborated to develop training programs that build the capacity of professionals to understand trauma and its impacts, identify and manage vicarious trauma in the workplace, and transform program practices through a trauma-informed lens.

From 2014 to 2022, seven in-person Healing the Hurt conferences were held, providing DYCD-funded program staff with valuable information, strategies, and insights about building trauma-informed programs that meet the needs of all youth and communities. As the organization adapted to our new normal, Healing the Hurt was held virtually last year. Now, after three years of managing, Healing the Hurt is re-convening in-person, as well as extending access to parts of the conference to participants via Zoom.

The 8th Annual Healing the Hurt Conference will take place on Friday, May 19, 2023. This year’s theme, Connecting Hope to Action, will focus on how to enhance collective impact toward healing communities.

This will be an asynchronous hybrid conference located at the UJA-Federation of New York (130 E 59th Street, New York, NY 10022) with limited access to the conference accessible via Zoom. Please click here to register to attend in-person and click here to register to attend virtually. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing all information for the event.

Kosher breakfast, lunch, and refreshments will be provided for all in-person attendees.

Please note that no outside food is permitted.

Conference highlights include remarks from featured keynote speaker Dr. Jeff Gardere, dynamic guest speakers, interactive workshops on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Best Practices, Self-Care and Managing Stress, Supervisor Learning Labs, surprise giveaways, and much more.

Partnerships for Parks’ FREE Lunch Networking Event for NYC Frontline & Nonprofit Staff

Partnerships for Parks will be hosting a free lunch networking event for NYC Frontline & Nonprofit Staff. The event, CommonGround: Connecting Frontline Workers in Outreach, Engagement, & Community Organizing Across NYC’s Open Spaces will take place on Tuesday, May 16, 2023 from 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM at Tacombi FiDi, located at 74 Broad Street, New York, NY 10004.

The CommonGround Lunch networking event will include addresses and meet & greets with NYC Chief Public Realm Officer Ya-Ting Liu & NYC Chief Engagement Officer Betsy MacLean. Attendees will be able to meet colleagues and share ideas for how NYC can support more creative and equitable public realm engagement. All NYC frontline and nonprofit staff working with the public to advance open space engagement are welcome to attend. Click here to RSVP. To spread the word, click here to view the social media toolkit. 

More information about Partnership for Parks is available at www.partnershipsforparks.org.

NYC Taxi & Limousine Commission – Van Hailin’ 

TLC’s Van Hailin’ pilot program was created to improve customer service for TLC drivers by allowing them to perform a variety of transactions that would otherwise require them to visit TLC’s offices in Long Island City. 

Van Hailin’ is a one stop shop mobile office where staff members from various TLC units can assist licensees. It is staffed by representatives from TLC’s Licensing, External Affairs, and Prosecution Units, and accompanied by LabCorp so that drivers can submit their annual required drug tests. 

Each month, TLC’s Van Hailin’ will visit a different borough to offer TLC licensing services including: 

• Drug testing by LabCorp (Money orders payments only) 
• Settlement offers (No cash payments accepted) 
• Settlement services 
• Removal of suspension (Must be compliant) 
• Removal of revocation (Must be compliant) 
• TAMIS proof of "current" status 
• General licensing inquiries 
• Navigating TLC UP 

This month, Van Hailin’ will be visiting the TLC Staten Island Office located at 1139 Hylan Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10305 on May 18, 2023, from 10a.m. – 3p.m. Click here to view the event flyer. 

Visit TLC’s Mobile Outreach Unit for more information. 

This month, Van Hailin’ will be visiting the TLC Staten Island Office located at 1139 Hylan Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10305 on May 18, 2023 from 10am – 3pm.

Click here for more information on TLC’s Mobile Outreach Unit.

[Extended] NYC Department of Environmental Protection – Amnesty Program

The City’s Dept. of Environmental Protection extended the water bill Amnesty Program which is designed to provide much-needed relief to qualified delinquent customers struggling to pay their water and wastewater bills due to the pandemic. This limited one-time amnesty started on January 30, 2023 and was initially scheduled to last 90 days until April 30, 2023. The program will now continue through May 31, 2023. Customer’s accrued interest can be reduced or forgiven by paying the principal balance. Click here to learn more. Contact DEP at (718) 595-7000 Monday–Friday (8 am–7 pm) and Saturday (9 am–2 pm) or amnesty@dep.nyc.gov.

Spread Love NYC: Calling all CBO Partners

Spread Love NYC is a 9-month long cross-sector campaign to engage New Yorkers in short 1-hour or long- term service projects that uplift neighbors and contribute to the success of our city. NYC Service serves as the campaign hub with a digital one-stop-shop of meaningful volunteer opportunities hosted by nonprofits and City agencies and features a “love-meter” reporting how engaged New Yorkers are around the five boroughs in real time.

New York City community-based organization (CBO) partners, nonprofits, schools, faith-based organizations, government agencies, and other not-for-profit organizations are invited to join the campaign to spread love by registering their organization, posting volunteer opportunities on the NYC Service website, and reporting volunteer engagement data. Registering on the website includes access to robust, free to use volunteer management tools, such as email communications, hours verification, check-in kiosk, and in-kind donation requests.

Spread Love NYC is calling CBO partners engaging volunteers in asylum seeker efforts to join the campaign. To help recruit organizations using the partner communications toolkit, click here. For more information visit nyc.gov/spreadlove.

SUNY Queens Educational Opportunity Center (Queens EOC) College Preparation Workshops

The SUNY Queens Educational Opportunity Center (Queens EOC) College Connections Initiative (CCI) is currently providing Online College Preparation workshops to the greater New York Community for residents to enrich their personal awareness, exploration, and preparation to enroll in post-secondary educational institutions as a realistic path to improve their economic conditions while building professional networks to enhance their lives and career opportunities:

Federal/State Financial Aid Application: Getting Started

• Thursday, May 18, 2023 - 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM / 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Click here to register. For a list of available trainings and classes, visit their website.

Information for Federal Student Loan Borrowers

One-time Payment Account Adjustment



The U.S. Department of Education (ED) is providing a “one-time” payment count adjustment to eligible borrowers toward Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) forgiveness plans and Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. This adjustment is in addition to the current payment pause, during which each month counts as a qualifying payment for the IDR and PSLF programs.

ED will count the following past time toward IDR and PSLF forgiveness:

• Any months spent in a repayment status, regardless of the payments made, loan type, or repayment plan;
• 12 or more consecutive months in forbearance or 36 or more cumulative months in forbearance;
• months spent in any deferment (with the exception of in-school deferment) prior to 2013;
• months spent in economic hardship or military deferments after 2013; and
• any time in repayment on earlier loans prior to consolidation of those loans into a consolidation loan.

Borrowers that have accumulated at least 20 or 25 years worth of payments or have accumulated 10 years of repayment under PSLF employment and have already certified that employment with ED, will see automatic forgiveness in Spring 2023. All other borrowers will see their accounts updated in 2024. To receive PSLF, a borrower must certify all eligible employment, which can be done at any point, even after the account adjustment.

If you have commercially held FFEL, Perkins, or Health Education Assistance Loans (HEAL) loans, you should apply for a Direct Consolidation loan by December 31, 2023 to benefit from this program.

Fresh Start for Student Loan Borrowers Who Were in Default Before the COVID-19 Pandemic

The ED “Fresh Start” initiative helps eligible defaulted borrowers get their loans in good standing. Fresh Start will continue for one year after the end of the COVID-19 payment pause. 

Protecting Borrowers from Scams!

Scammers are contacting New Yorkers promising they will help them get loan discharge, forgiveness, cancellation, or debt relief for a fee. Student loan borrowers never have to pay for help with federal student aid. Learn how to avoid scams.

NYC Financial Empowerment Centers

New Yorkers can get FREE one-on-one professional financial counseling, including assistance with student loans. Income and immigration status do not matter. Learn more and book an appointment today at nyc.gov/TalkMoney.

Navigating the System Virtual Training for People with Developmental Disabilities

On Wednesday May 24, 2023, from YAI will be offering a training for families, caregivers, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and professionals to learn how to apply for eligibility and services through the NYS Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD). This training is sponsored by YAI.org, which provides innovative services for the intellectual and/or developmental disability (I/DD) community, supporting over 20,000 people.

Click here to register.

The Partnership for Public Service – Future Leaders in Public Service Internship Program

The Partnership for Public Service sponsors the Future Leaders in Public Service Internship Program which helps bring diverse young talent to government and offers students the opportunity to apply their educational training to work at a federal agency.

The Future Leaders in Public Service Internship Program is actively recruiting its Fall 2023 cohort to join the National Science Foundation and the Small Business Administration as paid interns—which this year includes a public interest technology track. Undergraduate, graduate, and professional students from across all academic disciplines are welcome to apply. Fully remote and in-person opportunities are available.

Applications are due by 6/2. Click here to apply. For more information and FAQs, visit their website.

The Isaacs Center – GED Program

The Isaacs Center is currently accepting applicants for their evening GED program. The Issacs Center will be covering 100% of the tuition needed to be a part of these programs. See below for the steps and links needed to move forward with the application process.

GED Program

• Must be at least 18 years old
• Complete a GED Program Interest Form for more information
• After completing an interest form, The Isaacs Center will schedule you for a TABE exam and send you their official application. 

Note: there are no required documentation needed for this program.

Summer Rising 2023

Applications for the Summer Rising 2023 program are available as of April 17th. Students in Summer Rising will have access to both academic and enrichment programming over the course of the day, including field trips, arts activities, and outdoor recreation. It is free and available to all NYC students in grades K-8, pending seat availability. For more information and to apply visit: https://www.schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/summer/grades-k-8

Parking Tickets Payment Plans

The New York City Department of Finance is now offering online payment plans for parking tickets that have not been paid and are in default – known as judgment debt. Those with $350 and more in parking ticket judgment debt can now enter an online payment plan with DOF to make payments over time instead of paying all at once, which can prevent enforcement actions such as having a vehicle booted or towed. 

Entering into an online payment plan with DOF and making payments in installments can prevent future enforcement actions.

Click here for enrollment and eligibility details

NYC Department of Environmental Protection Internships

NYC Dept. of Environmental Protection offers paid and unpaid undergraduate and graduate internships. See the variety of positions and apply at the link; applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

For answers to commonly asked questions about their internships, visit Internship Opportunities FAQs.

The NYC Public Engagement Unit GetCoveredNYC Event Round-Up

GetCoveredNYC continues to connect New Yorkers to health coverage and health information. Our weekly social media roundup of GetCoveredNYC events helps 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.

Resources/Links

• DSS Quarterly Community Call: Members of the Department of Social Services' (DSS/HRA/DHS) leadership team will provide important agency updates followed by time for Q&A.
• ACCESS HRA Help Desk/Online Support: Resolves ACCESS HRA technical issues and answers benefit/site-related questions.
• ACCESS HRA Trainings: The Office of Community Outreach offers trainings and presentations to community-based organizations, elected officials and their staff, and other municipal agencies. These trainings are conducted multiple times per month and allow for flexible scheduling. Click here to view our current offerings and register for an upcoming session.
• ACCESS HRA Client Portal: New Yorkers can apply and recertify online for SNAP and Cash Assistance, view benefits, and more.
• DSS OneNumber (formerly Infoline): 718-557-1399
• Find a Partner Organization: Community-Based Organizations can help complete applications and screen applicants for eligibility to the various programs. Some locations also assist with submitting documents to DSS electronically. Contact the organization for more information.
• DSS Disability Access: If you have a disability, HRA can help by providing supports or accommodations to make getting the services clients need easier. This type of help is called a reasonable accommodation.
• 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.
• Action NYC: 1-800-354-0365
• Food Help NYC: Free food locations, including food pantries & soup kitchens. Call 311 to find the nearest locations.
• NYC Well: Free, confidential mental health support in more than 200 languages, 24/7/365. Call 888-NYC-WELL or text “WELL” to 65173.
• Mental Health For All: A comprehensive hub with helplines and services that offer a range of free, direct support to meet the needs of all New Yorkers.
• Buildings After Hours: Free in-person information session with DOB staff every Tuesday from 4 PM to 7 PM at your local borough office.
• COVID-19 and Other Respiratory Illnesses: Resources, including test kits, treatment, vaccines, and masks available to New Yorkers as New York City experiences high levels of COVID-19, flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and other respiratory viruses.
• Notify NYC: Enroll for free in New York City’s dedicated emergency public communications program.
• NYC 311: Non-emergency municipal services are available online, by texting 311-692, or by calling 3-1-1 from within the City or 212-NEW-YORK outside the five boroughs. TTY service is also available by dialing 212-504-4115

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 Commissioner