May 16, 2022
Dear Community Partner:
Thank you for your partnership in our shared commitment to serve New Yorkers in need. We hope that this communication, as well as the bi-weekly community calls, continues to serve as an important platform to share information and answer your questions. We will continue our work toward the shared goal of fighting poverty, income inequality, and addressing homelessness in our city with care and compassion for our clients, staff, and provider partners.
As a reminder, please reach out to DSS Outreach at DSSoutreach@dss.nyc.gov to be added to the list of invitees for the Tuesday call and sign up here be added to the distribution list for this weekly communication.
We continue to share important updates as well as an ongoing synopsis of the information shared in prior communications on our DSS COVID-19 Community Updates page. We encourage you to use and share this link to answer questions on the many topics we have covered during the pandemic.
SNAP On-Demand Interviews
SNAP On-Demand telephone eligibility interviews will resume on June 1, 2022.
The availability of On-Demand interviews gives clients more flexibility as they do not have to wait for HRA to call them to complete their eligibility interview. Beginning June 1st, once they submit their application or recertification form via ACCESS HRA, at a PC Bank, in-person, or by mail, clients are able to call HRA at 718-SNAP-NOW (718-762-7669) anytime between 8:30am and 5:00pm, Monday to Friday, for an “on-demand” telephone interview. If an applicant has an emergency need for SNAP they should call right after they submit their application. Clients have up to 30 days from the time they submit their form to make this call and fulfill the interview requirement.
Emergency SNAP Allotments
As it has in previous months, the State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) will issue an emergency SNAP supplement to households receiving SNAP benefits in May 2022. The emergency allotment will be the difference between their budgeted allotment and the maximum allotment for their household size or $95, whichever is greater. Further information is available here.
These emergency allotments are scheduled to continue for one month beyond the end of the federal public health emergency. The public health emergency has been extended and is currently set to end on July 16, 2022.
On October 1, 2021, permanent changes to SNAP went into effect, resulting in a sizeable increase in the benefit issuance by household size. SNAP households have continued to receive emergency allotments on top of this permanent increase. Once the emergency allotments are no longer being issued, the permanent SNAP increase will remain in effect, but families and individuals will see a decrease in the total amount of SNAP received per month. Additional details will be shared as they become available.
Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) Food Benefits Updates
OTDA will begin distributing Summer P-EBT, which will provide all eligible students with $375 in food benefits, in May. OTDA will post information on their website about benefit distribution dates when it becomes available.
Nearly all eligible school children were issued their P-EBT food benefits for the 2020-21 school year.
For assistance with general questions or to request a replacement Medicaid CBIC that was issued for P-EBT food benefits:
To check the balance or select a PIN for a P-EBT food benefits card:
Pandemic Emergency Assistance Fund
The Pandemic Emergency Assistance Fund (PEAF) allocation allotted to New York State (NYS) through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021(ARPA) will be issuing an additional payment to families in May 2022.
OTDA will issue a one-time non-assistance cash payment on May 14, 2022, to Temporary Assistance (TA) households with a child(ren) aged 17 years or under. This payment is intended to defray costs incurred by these households due to the COVID-19 public health emergency.
TA households meeting all of the following eligibility criteria will receive a payment of $250 per household:
- The open TA case contains a child who was active on the case during the month of April 2022;
- The child is aged 17 years or under at any time during the month of April 2022; and,
- The TA case remains open on the date of payment issuance.
OTDA will issue these payments directly to the Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cash account of the TA case.
PEAF payments will:
- have no effect on the household’s eligibility or benefit amounts for TA, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP);
- not be part of the regular recurring TA grant;
- be excluded from the TA standard of need;
- be excluded as income to the TA and SNAP household;
- be excluded from TA and SNAP resource limits;
- be excluded from the State sixty-month time limit for TA;
- not be offset by Child Support Collections;
- not offset TA or SNAP overpayments;
- not be subject to overpayment determinations/calculations; and
- not be included in Interim Assistance Reimbursement (IAR).
Fair Fares Updates and Outreach Materials
The Fair Fares NYC program continues to offer eligible New York City residents a 50% discount on eligible transportation. In our ongoing efforts to get the word out about this valuable benefit, the City has created Fair Fares outreach materials - including palm cards, brochures, and posters that can be ordered by community organizations and others. Please use the Design and Print Ordering System (DPOS) website, after registering on the login page.
Fair Fares borough offices are open to assist customers with application submissions and document uploads. To find a location please visit the Fair Fares website.
Clients will be able to request an in-person appointment by calling 311.
Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) Information and Materials
The NYS Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) to help
New Yorkers pay overdue water and wastewater bills is accepting applications.
Benefits are based on the amount of unpaid water and wastewater bills owed by applicants and could go as high as $2,500 for each service. LIHWAP benefits are based on the actual amount of drinking water and/or wastewater arrears, up to a maximum of $2,500 per drinking water or wastewater provider, or $5,000 if drinking water and wastewater services are combined, per household. Benefits are paid directly to the household's drinking water and/or wastewater vendor(s).
Eligibility and benefits are based on household income, household size, whether a household includes a U.S. citizen, U.S. national or qualified immigrant , and the amount owed to drinking water and/or wastewater provider(s).
Applicants will be required to provide the following documentation with their application:
- Proof of identity for the primary applicant.
- A valid Social Security Number for the primary applicant.
- Proof of residence.
- A drinking water, wastewater, or combined drinking water and wastewater bill listing your permanent and primary residence.
- Documentation of income for the primary applicant.
LIHWAP Promotional Materials
The Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) helps low-income households pay the cost of water and sewer services. The program can assist households who have past due bills (arrears) for water and/or sewer services.
New outreach materials are available to promote the Low-Income Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP), providing information on the types of assistance available and how to apply for the benefits. A brochure, flyer, palm card, and poster have been developed to provide information about the Low-Income Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP, which is administered by the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA).
Documents are available at the following links:
IDNYC Updates
IDNYC is a free municipal ID card for all New Yorkers that not only provides government photo identification, but can serve as a library card, provides free memberships to more than 30 cultural institutions, qualifies an individual for discounts at health and wellness centers, and a multitude of other benefits. New Yorkers can also use the card to access City services, and apply for jobs when submitted with proof of work authorization. Certain financial institutions will accept IDNYC as identification to open a bank account.
Renewing IDNYC:
Individuals may renew their IDNYC card starting 90 days before and up to 1 year after the expiration date on their card, and are encouraged to complete the renewal application online.
The IDNYC Program has expanded the renewal period for all cardholders whose cards expired in 2020. If a card expired in 2020 or 2021, the cardholder may renew their card through December 31, 2022. After this date, the cardholder will need to submit a new application at an Enrollment Center.
Services provided at Enrollment Centers are currently available by appointment only. Walk-ins will not be accepted. To schedule an appointment, visit the Online Portal and click “Make an Appointment” or call 311 and say IDNYC. View the latest information about open Enrollment Centers by visiting the Locations page.
Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) for Broadband Internet
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) gives a discount on a household's monthly broadband internet service. If eligible, participating broadband providers will apply this discount to the household’s broadband plan.
The City has created ACP flyers in 30 languages to download and use at events, programs, and more: ACP Flyers
If eligible for the ACP, the household can receive:
- Up to a $30/month discount on internet service
- A one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer (recipient will need to pay a copay between $10 and $50)
- Only one monthly service discount and one device discount is allowed per household
A 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 an individual or their child or dependent participate in certain government assistance programs such as SNAP, Medicaid, WIC, or other programs
- If an individual or their child or dependent already receives a Lifeline benefit
- If a child in the household attends an NYC public school that participates in the free or reduced lunch program (all NYC public schools do!)
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Note: An individual does not need to be a U.S. citizen to be eligible. If they do not have a Social Security Number (SSN), they can provide other documents.
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Note: Additionally, customers are not required to submit to a credit check.
How to Enroll
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Go to acpbenefit.org to submit an application or print out a mail-in application.
- Contact the preferred participating provider to select an eligible plan and have the discount applied to the household bill.
Some providers may have an alternative application to complete. Eligible households must both apply for the program and contact a participating provider to select a service plan.
Medicaid Easements and Application Updates
Medicaid easements have been extended through August 2022. This includes the automatic extension for cases with an authorization that ends in January through August 2022 even if the client doesn't submit their renewal. Medicaid clients scheduled to renew a case that had or has an authorization end date in March 2020 through August 2022 automatically had or will have their Medicaid coverage extended for 12 months, even if the renewal is not returned. The NYS Department of Health is not sending notices to these Medicaid clients to let them know that their Medicaid coverage has been extended. Any case that is closed during the COVID-19 emergency for failure to renew or failure to provide documentation will be re-opened and coverage restored to ensure no gap in coverage.
Excess income cases will be extended for six months, but will still be expected to meet their surplus to obtain coverage. (Note: Clients with active COVID or in the quarantine may request coverage until they can make a surplus payment.)
How to submit applications:
- Approved Client Representatives can fax Medicaid applications and Medicare Savings applications on behalf of consumers to 917-639-0731
- Medicaid applications and Medicare Savings Program (MSP) Applications from individuals aged 65 and older or who have a disability can be dropped off in marked drop boxes at Medical Assistance Program "MAP" (formerly known as Medical Insurance and Community Services Administration or MICSA) locations and may also be faxed to 917-639-0732.
Equitable Relief – Medicare Enrollment/Disenrollment
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is providing equitable relief to individuals who could not submit premium - Part A or Part B enrollment or disenrollment requests timely due to challenges contacting the Social Security Administration by phone. This relief applies to the 2022 General Enrollment Period, Initial Enrollment Period, and Special Enrollment Period.
Individuals who were unable to enroll or disenroll in Medicare because they could not reach the Social Security Administration (SSA) by phone after January 1, 2022 will be granted additional time, through December 30, 2022. For more information, call 1-800-772-1213 or use the SSA Office Locator to find the number for a local office.
HEAP Third Emergency Benefit Available
The 2021-2022 Regular HEAP benefit closed on April 29, 2022.
A third Emergency HEAP benefit will be available from May 2, 2022, through August 31, 2022, or until funds allocated to this component are exhausted, whichever occurs first. The eligibility criteria and the benefit amounts for the third Emergency benefit will be the same as the first and second Emergency benefit. Applicants must have exhausted, or have unavailable to them, the first or second Emergency benefit to be eligible for the third Emergency benefit. First, second, and third Emergency benefits cannot be issued concurrently.
HEAP Cooling Assistance Component
The HEAP Cooling Assistance Component opened up on May 2, 2022. Applicants can now apply for NYS HEAP Cooling using ACCESS HRA.
As a reminder, an applicant household member does NOT need to have a medical condition that is exacerbated by extreme heat to be eligible for HEAP Cooling Assistance.
Learn more about HEAP at otda.ny.gov/programs/heap/. Homebound individuals can request HEAP information or a home visit at 212-331-3126.
Rent Freeze and Homeowner Tax Exemption Events for People with Disabilities/65+
New Yorkers with a disability or over the age of 65 may be eligible for the NYC Rent Freeze Program, which includes the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) Program and the Disability Rent Increase Exemption (DRIE) Program to help participants stay in affordable housing by freezing their rent.
To be eligible, individuals must:
- Be 62 years old OR at least 18 years old and disabled
- Be the primary tenant named on the lease/rent order or have been granted succession rights in a rent controlled, rent stabilized or a rent regulated hotel apartment;
- Have a combined household income for all members of the household that is $50,000 or less; and
- Spend more than one-third of your monthly household income on rent.
Join the Public Engagement Unit (PEU) at one of their upcoming library office hours to learn more about how you could freeze your rent or get a homeowner tax exemption:
- Brooklyn Central Library Wednesday, 5/18, 10:30 am - 2:30 pm, 10 Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn, NY 11238
- Seward Park Library Thursday, 5/19, 10:30am - 2:30 pm, 192 E Broadway, New York, NY 10002
- Francis Martin Library Wednesday, 5/25, 10:30am - 2:30 pm, 2150 University Ave, Bronx, NY 10453
Interested individuals who can’t attend the events can also speak to a PEU Specialist directly by calling the rent freeze and homeowner tax exemption hotline at (929) 252-7242.
Additional Resources and Information
DYCD’s CBO/MWBE Exchange
This year’s CBO/MWBE Exchange Conference, “Empowering Communities, Advancing Businesses,” is a dynamic one-day event connecting New York City and State-certified Minority/Woman-owned Business Enterprises (M/WBEs) to contract opportunities with New York City Not-for-Profit Community-Based Organizations (CBOs).
Participants will engage in content-rich sessions focused on the benefits of CBO partnerships, how to support locally-led change while growing a business, and ways to empower leaders and organizations with ideas and expertise.
Registration is FREE and includes a downloadable list of upcoming CBO contract opportunities.
Tuesday, May 24, 2022 | 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Volunteering With NYC Parks
Wednesday, 5/18, 6 - 7 pm: Partnerships for Parks (PfP) and NYC Parks Stewardship present a webinar that showcases the different stewardship and volunteering opportunities within NYC Parks and PfP. Learn more about leading stewardship projects in parks, natural areas, and on street trees, and pitching in to paint, clean, rake, and care for our city’s park system. Click here to register.
Safe in the City Grant Funding
The Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice (MOCJ) offers year-round internship opportunities for young people identified as at risk and offers a “Safe in the City” grant to community-based organizations to encourage residents, leaders and organizations to promote peace in neighborhoods across the city. Learn more here or apply here.
City Service Corps Applications
The City Service Corps, an AmeriCorps program operating through the Mayor’s NYC Service office, is recruiting individuals to serve full-time from September 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023 at City agency host sites addressing community-related issues including disaster response, economic opportunity, education, environmental stewardship, healthy futures, veterans & military families. Applications are open now at this link.
NYC Save for College Program Updates and Resources
Starting this school year, and every year going forward, kindergarten students enrolled in a New York City public school — including participating charter schools — automatically receive a scholarship account invested in a NY 529 Direct Plan, with an initial $100 from NYC Kids RISE, unless their families choose not to participate.
Families of NYC kindergarteners participating in the Save for College Program can go to nyckidsrise.org/activate to activate and view their kindergarteners’ new NYC Scholarship Accounts and start earning more money for their educational futures.
The Save for College Program is a scholarship and savings platform that provides families, schools and communities with a way to work together to invest in and save for children’s futures. The public-private-community partnership is designed to make college and career training more accessible and achievable for public school students, regardless of their income or immigration status.
Checkbook NYC Demonstrations
Checkbook NYC is a first-of-its-kind online transparency tool. Using an intuitive dashboard approach that combines a series of graphs and user-friendly tables, Checkbook NYC provides up-to-date information about the City's finances. The New York City Comptroller’s Office is hosting three Checkbook NYC demonstrations as part of their annual open data series, on June 14th and 16th. Learn more and register here.
COVID-19 Related Updates
New York City entered a “Medium” risk level for COVID-19 on May 2, with health officials advising residents to take extra precautions when out in public. At this time, the city has not announced any new restrictions or mask/vaccine mandates. Learn more about the NYC COVID-19 alert levels here.
“Test-to-Treat” Pharmacy Program
A new federal Test to Treat program gives people a fast and easy way to get lifesaving treatment for COVID-19. In this program, people can get tested at Test to Treat sites. If they test positive and treatments are appropriate for them, they can get a prescription from a healthcare provider and have the prescription filled all in one location. People can also bring test results obtained from a home testing kit to Test to Treat sites and get evaluated by a healthcare provider for treatment.
People can use the COVID-19 Test to Treat Locator to find Test to Treat sites near them. A call center is also available at 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489) to get help in English, Spanish, and more than 150 other languages – 8:00 am to midnight ET, 7 days a week. The Disability Information and Access Line (DIAL) is also available to specifically help people with disabilities access services. To get help, call 1-888-677-1199, Monday-Friday from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm ET or email DIAL@usaginganddisability.org.
Learn more about the program and download fact sheets in numerous languages here.
Home Delivered COVID Antiviral Medication
The City is providing free home delivery -- as long as there is a prescription-- of oral antiviral pills Paxlovid (made by Pfizer), and Molnupiravir (by Merck), via Alto Pharmacy, a medication provider which has partnered with the City. Since supplies of the new drugs are extremely limited, deliveries will be prioritized to those who test positive and considered to be at higher risk for COVID.
Those who have tested positive and are otherwise qualified can visit Virtual ExpressCare for a phone or video visit or call 212-COVID19 (212-268-4319) and press 9.
COVID-19 Testing
At-Home Rapid Test Kit Distribution Program
The City is still providing COVID-19 tests to eligible NYC-based/serving nonprofit/501c3, community-based and faith-based organizations to distribute to their communities.
As the program's capacity expands each week, they will engage additional organizations who serve high-needs neighborhoods, such as the neighborhoods identified by the Taskforce on Racial Inclusion and Equity*, those that lack access to testing options, and who:
- have demonstrated commitment to COVID prevention and/or public health
- have demonstrated capacity to reach at least hundreds of New York City residents
- are prepared to sign legal agreement (MOU)
- are prepared to complete basic reporting of distributions
- are prepared to pick up monthly allocations
- are prepared to store and distribute kits safely, including monitoring expiration dates
COVID-19 Test Scams
There have been reports of scams which claim to provide at-home COVID-19 test kits in exchange for personal or medical information. Individuals should not give out Medicare Numbers for COVID-19 test kits.
As a reminder, each household in the U.S. can access four free COVID-19 at-home tests shipped directly to their home at no cost. Visit COVIDtests.gov to order tests or learn more about testing.
Call 800-MEDICARE to report suspected fraud.
At-home COVID Testing for Immunocompromised Individuals
Free, at-home testing for COVID-19 is now available to all immunocompromised New Yorkers and those ages 65 and older. To schedule an in-home appointment, call (929) 298-9400 between 9:00 AM and 7:00 p.m. (7 days a week). For more information visit the NYC COVID-19 Testing Locations site
Testing in NYC
Free testing continues to be available at City-run sites throughout the five boroughs. The NYC Health and Hospitals COVID-19 Testing Sites page includes detailed information about all City-run mobile, brick-and-mortar, and micro testing sites across the five boroughs, including location, schedule, and types of testing offered. Locations of testing sites can also be accessed by texting “COVID TEST” to 855-48. These are no cost testing sites open to all New Yorkers.
COVID-19 testing at most City-run sites is walk-in only. All New Yorkers are tested on a first-come, first-served basis. Some sites allow pre-registration through this link, which will streamline check-in upon arrival.
To search for all nearby testing sites, including those not affiliated with the City, please visit the NYC Testing Locations site. NYC Test & Trace recommends calling these testing sites before visiting. Please note that some sites that are not City-run may charge for testing.
Federal COVID-19 Resource Website
The Biden administration has introduced covid.gov, a federal website meant to help Americans who are infected with the virus find the treatment they need quickly and at no cost. On the website, people can find locations to get tests and anti-viral pills, find the locations of vaccination sites and places to acquire high-quality masks; fill out a form to order eight free at-home coronavirus tests per household; view their community’s risk level according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; and get general information on Covid symptoms, treatment, testing and travel.
The website is available in English, Spanish and Chinese. The administration is also making all of these tools available over the phone through the national vaccine hotline at 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489), which supports over 150 languages.
AfterCare Program for Long COVID
The NYC Test & Trace Corps AfterCare program has launched a hotline for New Yorkers seeking information and resources to recover from Long COVID. New Yorkers who are suffering from or suspect they may have Long COVID can now call AfterCare Navigators directly. AfterCare Navigators are health outreach specialists with experience supporting people during their COVID infection and will assess patients for their specific health and social needs and connect them to Long COVID resources. AfterCare Navigators connect patients to holistic resources – including physical and mental health referrals, community support, and financial assistance – to address the various physical symptoms, as well as the social and economic impacts, that New Yorkers with Long COVID may experience.
New Yorkers can call 212-COVID19 (212-268-4319), select their preferred language, and press 4 to speak directly to an AfterCare navigator. Learn more on the AfterCare website and through AfterCare’s Long COVID recovery guide.
Community-wide Conference Call
We look forward to your continued participation on our bi-weekly briefing calls and your ongoing work to help make sure that the critical information shared here and in our bi-weekly calls is being communicated to our shared clients.
The information contained in this communication is a synopsis of what was shared on our bi-weekly call as well as new developments and useful information regarding other City benefits and services. All of the information included in each of our prior communications, since March 2020, is available on our website on the COVID-19 Community Updates webpage.
Thank you for your partnership in serving our fellow New Yorkers in need of our services. If you have any questions or concerns about the issues covered in this communication or on our bi-weekly calls, please do not hesitate to reach out to the Office of Advocacy and Outreach at DSSoutreach@dss.nyc.gov.
In partnership,
Gary P. Jenkins
DSS Commissioner
