|
October 13, 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 to be added to our distribution list to receive this weekly communication. Details regarding the next quarterly call will be included in an upcoming communication.
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.
Community-wide Conference Call
If you were not able to join our last Quarterly call on September 19, 2023, please find an audio recording here and use Passcode: s3XHP+pV to listen.
HRA OCSS Seeking Employment and Training Referral Partners
The New York City Human Resources Administration (HRA) Office of Child Support Services (OCSS) is seeking partner organizations that provide employment training and placement services and wish to receive referrals from OCSS of noncustodial parents interested in services.
A vital element of OCSS’ mission is connecting unemployed and under-employed noncustodial parents to employment services that will help them support themselves and their children.
As part of these efforts, OCSS is pleased to announce that our Request for Information (RFI) on Occupational Skills Training Services Providers was officially released on September 18, 2023, via PASSPort. By having a more formal relationship with job training and placement programs, OCSS hopes to increase NCP’s financial support for their children; engage more parents with child support services; and improve their relationships with their children.
OCSS is seeking partners to whom we can refer noncustodial parents for the following services:
- Sector-specific occupational skills training for current job openings in the NYC area.
- Sector-contextualized pre-employment and career readiness services.
- Job placement services post-training graduation
- Post-employment retention, re-employment, and advancement services.
The RFI can also be accessed on the Doing Business with HRA section on nyc.gov/hra. Organizations interested in participating should refer to the EPIN and due date listed below. Comprehensive instructions for crafting a response to the RFI can be found within the PASSPort release, as well as in the Occupational Skills Training Services Provider Information Sheet accompanying the RFI. Click here for a copy of the RFI.
EPIN: 06924Y0199
Release Date: 9/18/23
Due Date: 10/30/23
Please spread the word and share this message with your networks.
Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) Waiver Extension
The USDA has granted an extension of the statewide waiver of the Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) work requirements through February 28, 2025. The waiver was previously set to expire on February 29, 2024.
Therefore, ABAWD clients will continue to not be subject to the ABAWD requirements through February 28, 2025.
Cash Assistance Six-Month Mailer Recertification Waiver
The State OTDA has approved the City’s request to waive the regulation requiring households in receipt of Cash Assistance to complete the six-month mail-in recertification if the household is identified as having no earned income in order to maintain eligibility for CA benefits.
These households will still be required to complete a recertification once every twelve (12) months and to report any changes to the household circumstances (composition, income, etc) within ten (10) days of the change.
Households receiving CA will be reminded of their 10-day reporting requirement by HRA in the first month they would normally receive their 6-month mailer. The notice also provides information on how they can submit changes to their circumstances to the agency.
New SNAP Standards and Changes to New York State Nutrition Improvement Project (NYSNIP) Benefit Amounts - October 1, 2023
New SNAP standards went into effect on October 1, 2023 and some items used to figure the amount of SNAP benefits a household gets has changed. These changes are a result of federally-required changes to the following standards and deductions. The information below outlines the new standards:
- The Standard Deduction for households of one to three persons is $198.
- The Standard Deduction for households of four persons is $208.
- The Standard Deduction for households of five persons is $244.
- The Standard Deduction for households of six persons or more is $279.
- The SNAP Maximum Excess Shelter Deduction is $672.
- The SNAP Maximum Homeless Shelter Deduction is $179.66.
- The Boarder/Lodger Exclusion is $291 for one person and $535 for two persons
The standard deduction amounts that are now used in the annual SNAP mass re-budgeting effective October 1, 2023, are also at the bottom of this communication.
The minimum allotment for one and two-person households remain $23.
The new Standard Utility Allowance (SUA) amounts for NYC, as of October 1, 2023 are:
Heating/Air Conditioning SUA:
- Old SUA : $1,002
- New SUA : $992
Basic Utility SUA:
- Old SUA : $395
- New SUA : $391
Phone SUA: $31
The new Federal Poverty Limit (FPL) thresholds effective October 1, 2023 are at the bottom of this communication.
These changes may affect the amount of SNAP benefits New Yorkers get. Depending on their individual circumstance, the amount of their monthly SNAP benefit may not change, or it may decrease or increase as a result of these changes.
For more information about updated federal poverty levels and October 2023 changes to SNAP, click here.
Medicaid and Medicare Savings Program Overview and Application Webinar
In an effort to support our community partners and their work with our shared clients, the DSS Office of Community Outreach (OCO) is currently offering a virtual Medicaid and Medicare Savings Program Overview and Application Webinar to community partner organizations.
This webinar provides an overview of the Medicaid and Medicare Savings Program (MSP) ACCESSHRA application process and will simulate a mock application. After completion, participants will have general familiarity with the Medicaid and MSP benefits and the ACCESS HRA application process. This training will not cover Medicaid or MSP eligibility criteria.
If you’re a community-based organization, municipal agency, or staffer for an Elected official, please click here to register for an upcoming session.
If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Community Outreach at DSSoutreach@dss.nyc.gov.
For more information on additional Medicaid training (including eligibility training) please visit the Map Authorized Resource Center (MARC) website: MAP Authorized Resource Center (nyc.gov)
HRA Return to Mandatory (RTM) - October 2, 2023
On October 2, 2023, HRA began making mandatory appointments for Cash Assistance recipients who are required to participate in an Employment Services program.
Engagement with HRA Employment Services and Support Administration (ESSA) providers is mandatory for Cash Assistance recipients but was paused during the COVID-19 pandemic. Employment Services offers Cash Assistance clients opportunities to learn new skills, improve their chances of connecting to careers, works closely with clients to identify opportunities that match their needs, skills, and career goals, with a goal of establishing long-term financial stability and security. Clients work with an appropriate Employment Services providers as described below. These providers will also assist clients who need them with connecting to childcare services.
CareerCompass assists clients with finding employment, training, or education programs, as well as internship and community service opportunities, to match their skills and reach their goals.
YouthPathways provides career, education, and training services for clients ages 18-24, including internships and community service opportunities tailored to their goals and needs.
CareerAdvance offers career, education, and training services in specific employment sectors, including people with limited English proficiency and older adults.
WeCARE provides a continuum of services to help cash assistance clients and applicants with medical and/or mental health conditions that affect their employability to attain their maximum levels of self-sufficiency.
Substance Use Centralized Assessment Program (SUCAP) provides assessment and referral treatment based on client needs for clients with a substance use disorder.
Office of Reasonable Accommodations (ORA) provides a clinical review of requests for Reasonable Accommodations that support clients with physical, mental, or medical disabilities in accessing HRA programs and services. ORA clinicians review clinical documentation and make recommendations on Reasonable Accommodation requests that support clients in accessing HRA programs and services.
SNAP Eligibility for Undocumented Individuals and Minors
In response to questions received during our 9/19 community call regarding SNAP eligibility for undocumented minors, we are providing the below information for clarity on SNAP eligibility. Children as well as adults who fall under the following categories are eligible for SNAP immediately, as long as they also meet all other program requirements:
- Refugees
- Asylees
- Cuban/Haitian Entrants
- Victims of Human Trafficking
- Those who have been granted withholding of removal
- Ukrainian parolees paroled on or after 2/24/2022
- Afghan Evacuees with appropriate documentation indicating they were a part of Operation Allies Welcome
Additionally, children under 18 are eligible to receive SNAP (as long as they also meet all other program requirements) if they are:
- Lawful Permanent Residents, regardless of numbers of years in qualified status
- Paroled for one year or more, regardless of country of origin
- Qualified battered noncitizens or the children thereof
DSS encourages all those who feel they need benefits to apply for benefits. All are eligible to apply for benefits regardless of immigration status. Benefits eligibility determinations will be made on an individual, case by case basis, using the documentation and information submitted by applicants.
We appreciate these questions and the opportunity this provides us to offer clarity on questions and concerns that are impacting our community partners.
EBT Skimming Social Media Toolkit
DSS created a social media toolkit for increasing awareness of the EBT skimming benefit replacement claims process. Help us spread the word on social media.
The toolkit can be accessed here and is available in each of the Local Law languages (Arabic, Bengali, Chinese - Simplified & Traditional, French, Haitian Creole, Korean, Polish, Russian, Spanish, and Urdu).
Important Skimming Claims Update
HRA has noticed a common error being made during the skimming claims submission process.
When clients are using ConnectEBT to pull transaction dates, they must use the “Transaction” date (far left, circled in the screenshot at the bottom of this communication), and NOT the Settlement date.
We have also found that third-party EBT apps such as “Providers” sometimes present transaction dates which are one day later than the actual transaction dates. Using this third party app can cause errors leading to a denial of claims. The app company “Providers” is working to resolve this issue. But until otherwise notified, please only rely on ConnectEBT transaction dates when looking up transactions.
We are seeing a number of claims making this error, causing rejection or approval of a very low benefit amount, because the skimmed benefits were not transacted on the dates listed on the claim form.
Please make sure when helping clients submit claims to use the correct date information. Refer to the OTDA LDSS-5066 Cardholder Online EBT Account User Guide for instructions on using ConnectEBT. The User Guide is available in Arabic, Chinese, English, Haitian Creole, Italian, Korean, Russian, and Spanish.
EBT Skimming Benefit Replacement Resources
Following the launch of the EBT Skimming and Replacement Benefit claims process, DSS/HRA released the following resources which are available by visiting https://www.nyc.gov/site/hra/help/benefitreplacement.page.
These resources are available in the following languages: Arabic, English, French, Haitian Creole, Korean, Polish, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Traditional Chinese, and Urdu.
The materials can be ordered through DPOS using the instructions below:
Community Partners interested in ordering materials from HRA and are ordering for the first time, should email DPOS (Design and Print Ordering System) Customer Service at DPOSCustomerService@dss.nyc.gov to have their organization/agency registered in the system. Once completed, the requestor will receive an email with a link to create an account, allowing their organization/agency the ability to order from HRA's catalog.
Organizations and agencies with already existing DPOS accounts, should log into their account using the appropriate link below:
NYC Street Harassment Prevention Survey & Resource Guide
The NYC Street Harassment Prevention Advisory Board (SHPAB) requests your help in taking its street harassment survey and in spreading awareness about the “End Street Harassment: A NYC Resource Guide” which can both be found at nyc.gov/endstreetharassment.
The SHPAB was created to study street harassment and develop programming, resources, and recommendations to help eliminate street harassment. The “End Street Harassment: A NYC Resource Guide” contains important information on how New Yorkers can prevent and respond to street harassment. The guide includes different steps people can take both in the moment and following an incident of harassment, either as a target or as a bystander, as well as resources available to support someone who has been harassed.
More ways to support:
-
Take the survey and share it with your networks.
- Any NYC resident 18+ can take the survey. The survey is confidential and anonymous.
-
Download the resource guide and share it with your networks.
-
Check out the Social Kit for graphics, post text, and email template.
- Use the hashtag #MakeNYCHarassmentFree.
-
Share Mayor Adams’ video with your networks.
Office of Child Support Services Annual Conference
The New York City Human Resources Administration's Office of Child Support Services, in partnership with the CUNY School of Professional Studies, invites you to join us on Thursday, October 26, for our 2023 Policy Conference.
Confronting Structural Racism in the Child Support Program: Listening. Understanding. Taking Action.
When: Thursday, October 26, 2023
Time: 8 am to 5 pm
Where: Convene 466 Lexington Avenue (Between 45th and 46th Streets)
For more information about the conference and to secure your spot, please click HERE to visit the event's website.
ACCESS HRA Updates
The NYC Department of Social Services - Human Resources Administration (DSS/HRA) is pleased to announce several ACCESS HRA updates that went live on Saturday, August 26, 2023.
Below are new and improved features that are now available in the ACCESS HRA Client Portal and are intended to further improve the user experience:
-
Medicaid & MSP Applications: Eligible clients can now submit Medicaid and Medicare Savings Program applications. A screener identifies client eligibility to apply with ACCESS HRA. This screener will allow clients to self-identify if they should be applying for Medicaid through HRA or with the New York State of Health Marketplace.
-
Medicaid Coverage Letter: Coverage letters can be requested and downloaded online on the Medicaid case details page. Coverage letters will include information on the head of household and all additional household members.
-
Medicaid Notifications: Clients can receive new SMS and mobile push notifications about their case, as well as alerts for benefits they may qualify for.
-
Fair Fares Notifications: Updated alert messaging for SNAP/CA clients that are eligible for Fair Fares when finding their HRA case.
-
SNAP Late Recertification: ACCESS HRA will allow clients to submit a SNAP Recertification if they are 30-days past their recertification authorization date or have a Closed case. The Expedited Screening results will be available in the PDF Summary.
-
CA/SNAP App/Recertification: School Enrollment Verification Consent added.
-
311 Assistance: New messaging shows how to get assistance from a provider organization.
Visit the ACCESS HRA Client Portal at nyc.gov/accesshra
Featured updates in the ACCESS HRA Provider Portal:
-
SNAP Late Recertification: ACCESS HRA will allow providers to view SNAP Recertification even if client is past their recertification authorization date or has a Closed case.
The ACCESS HRA Provider Portal can be found here.
Resources:
Trainings on ACCESS HRA and the Provider Portal are available for community partners! Sign up here. Organizations interested in becoming Provider Portal Partners should email DSSOutreach@dss.nyc.gov for an onboarding package.
DSS Services & Benefits One Pager (FLY-1128)
DSS released an informational one-pager which outlines all the benefits and services available through the Human Resources Administration and Department of Homeless Services. The FLY-1128 is available to order from DPOS, in the following languages: Arabic, English, French, Haitian Creole, Korean, Polish, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Traditional Chinese, and Urdu.
Community Partners interested in ordering materials from HRA and are ordering for the first time, should email DPOS (Design and Print Ordering System) Customer Service at DPOSCustomerService@dss.nyc.gov to have their organization/agency registered in the system. Once completed, the requestor will receive an email with a link to create an account, allowing their organization/agency the ability to order from HRA's catalog.
Organizations and agencies with already existing DPOS accounts, should log into their account using the appropriate link below:
Process for Requesting Replacement Benefits for SNAP & Cash Victims of EBT Skimming
As of Monday, August 21, 2023, NYC households can now submit claims to the NYC Department of Social Services/Human Resources Administration at nyc.gov/hra to request the replacement of SNAP and/or Cash Assistance benefits stolen electronically.
As a result of the Federal Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) now permits states to use SNAP funds to issue replacement benefits to households who had a scam-related electronic benefit theft of SNAP benefits on or after October 1, 2022, through September 30, 2024.
Similarly, the NYS Legislature enacted a law that permits the issuance of replacement benefits for households who had a scam-related electronic benefit theft of Cash Assistance benefits on or after January 1, 2022.
Clients are not required to have an active SNAP or Cash Assistance case to submit a claim for replacement benefits. Clients with a closed or rejected case should submit a claim for replacement benefits under their old case number rather than submitting a new SNAP or Cash Assistance application.
What should clients do if their SNAP or Cash Assistance benefits are stolen?
If a client’s SNAP or Cash benefits are stolen, they must complete the following steps in order to request replacement benefits:
-
Report their EBT card as lost or stolen immediately after realizing the theft: Prior to submitting a claim for replacement benefits, clients are required to take the following steps to ensure their benefits are protected: report their EBT card lost or stolen, request a new card and change their account PIN by visiting https://www.connectebt.com/ or calling EBT Customer Service at 888-328-6399. Note: Clients are not required to report the benefit theft to the NYPD in order to submit a claim for replacement benefits with DSS/HRA. If clients have already reported their EBT card as lost or stolen after the theft, they do not need to report it lost or stolen again to submit a claim.
-
Obtain EBT Transaction history: Part of the process of requesting replacement SNAP and/or Cash Assistance benefits requires clients to review and make note of their EBT transaction history so that they can report the following information for each fraudulent transaction: the date the transaction occurred, the name and address of the business where the transaction occurred, the benefit type (whether Cash Assistance or SNAP), and the amount of each fraudulent transaction. The transaction history will include mostly transactions that clients remember making and purchases that they’re familiar with, from stores that they frequent. However, there is also the possibility that they may see transactions that look strange—from stores they’ve never shopped at, maybe even in states that they’ve never visited. These kinds of transactions may indicate potentially fraudulent activity. Clients should consider fraudulent transactions to be ones that they did not make or consent to. DSS/HRA recommends that clients use any of the following methods to obtain their EBT transaction history:
-
Option 1: Accessing EBT transaction history at https://www.connectebt.com/ or by downloading the ConnectEBT mobile app (available for download in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store). Please refer to the OTDA LDSS-5066 Cardholder Online EBT Account User Guide for instructions on creating a Connect EBT account, reporting a CBIC card lost or stolen, requesting a new card, changing the account PIN, and reviewing transaction history. The User Guide is available in Arabic, Chinese, English, Haitian Creole, Italian, Korean, Russian, and Spanish. Please note: If clients have never used Connect EBT, they will need to create an account using an email address and valid EBT Card Number. If they have reported their card stolen, they will need to wait for their new card to arrive to create a ConnectEBT account.
-
Option 2: Call the toll-free EBT Customer Service line at 1-888-328-6399. Through the Customer Service line, clients can access an automated menu that allows them to hear their ten most recent transactions. Clients can also use the automated menu to request a two-month statement of their account history. Clients can also review transactions with and request a two-month statement from a live Customer Service representative. Agents are available 24/7 and offer assistance in the following languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, Haitian Creole, Italian, Korean, Russian, and Spanish.
-
Submit a Claim for Replacement Benefits: After reviewing their transaction history and identifying the fraudulent transactions, the client can then submit their claim to DSS/HRA. To file the claim, they will need the following:
- Client Identification Number (CIN) of the head of household or case payee
- Case Number
- Current Mailing Address
- Date, location, benefit type, and amount of each fraudulent transaction.
How can clients submit claims for replacement SNAP and/or Cash benefits?
Clients can submit a claim for replacement SNAP and/or CA benefits using any of the following methods:
-
Online at nyc.gov/hra: Submitting a claim online is the fastest and easiest way to file! Filing a claim online may take as little as 10 minutes if the fraud has already been reported and the client has reviewed & identified the suspected fraudulent transactions. Submitting an online claim is strongly recommended by DSS/HRA.
-
By Mail: Clients can print a paper claim form from nyc.gov/hra, or they can obtain a paper claim form by calling DSS One Number (718-557-1399) and requesting a form be mailed to them. Paper claim forms are also available in the local BAC or SNAP Center. Completed paper applications can be mailed to:
Department of Social Services
PO BOX 02-9121
Brooklyn GPO, Brooklyn, NY 11202
When should a client expect to receive a decision on their claim?
Once a claim is submitted, the client should allow up to 30 calendar days to receive a decision notice in the mail. Clients should anticipate receiving their replacement benefits on their newest and most recently used EBT card at or around the time they receive their notice of determination.
Need Help Submitting A Claim?
If clients need assistance submitting their claims or have questions about the overall process, community-based organizations across the city can help. For more information on the assistance available or to schedule an appointment, clients should contact their preferred local organization at the phone numbers provided in the following links:
DSS Office of Community Outreach (OCO) EBT Skimming and Replacement Benefits Webinar
In an effort to support our community partners and their work with our shared clients, the DSS Office of Community Outreach (OCO) is currently offering virtual EBT Skimming and Replacement Benefit training to community partner organizations.
Currently this training take place twice a week and provide detailed information on EBT card skimming, reporting fraudulent account activity, the requirements for submitting a claim to DSS/HRA, as well as a walkthrough of the electronic and paper claim forms.
If you’re a community-based organization, municipal agency, or staffer for an Elected official, please click here to register for an upcoming session.
We encourage all community partners to attend this training to familiarize themselves with the replacement benefit process and assist in ensuring that New Yorkers impacted by EBT skimming have the support they need to successfully file a claim.
Organizations interested in requesting a dedicated EBT Skimming and Replacement Benefits Webinar for ten or more staff members should submit their requests via the DSS Training Request Form. The DSS Office of Community Engagement will follow up with interested organizations on a first-come, first-served basis, and will accommodate training requests pending availability.
If you have any questions about the EBT Skimming and Replacement Benefit Claim process or training, please contact the Office of Community Outreach at DSSoutreach@dss.nyc.gov.
DSS Offering Skimming Outreach and Application Support for CBOs and Elected Officials
The DSS Office of Community Outreach is available to support community efforts to provide information and skimming claim application support to your clients and constituents. We have staff available to co-host outreach and assistance pop up events at your locations, or in collaboration with your organization/office.
Those interested in outreach assistance or co-hosting events should contact OutreachEvents@dss.nyc.gov.
Employment Opportunities with the City of NY
Join the NYC Department of Social Services! Find out how rewarding it is to serve fellow New Yorkers with care and compassion.
Apply for the Senior Policy Advisor position at IDNYC.
To view jobs available with the City at any time, 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 October 8, 2023, over 126,700 asylum seekers have gone through the system and been offered a place to rest at night since last spring. Over 64,100 asylum seekers are currently in the City's care. The City has opened 213 emergency shelters, including 17 large-scale humanitarian relief centers. 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
NYC Commercial Lease Assistance Program
The Commercial Lease Assistance program, offered in collaboration with the City Dept. of Small Business Services (and administered by the Brooklyn Legal Services Corporation A's small business unit), offers business owners the chance to work with a free attorney to review their lease, negotiate fair terms, and help set them up for a successful future—whether it's a new business signing their first lease or an existing storefront negotiating new terms.
Click here to learn more and request Commercial Lease Assistance.
Federal Student Debt Relief - October 2023
The Biden-Harris administration announced today that an additional 125,000 Americans have been approved for $9 billion in debt relief through fixes the U.S. Department of Education has made to income-driven repayment (IDR) and Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), and granting automatic relief for borrowers with total and permanent disabilities. Today's announcement brings the total approved debt cancellation by the Biden-Harris Administration to $127 billion for nearly 3.6 million Americans.
The Biden-Harris Administration is announcing it has approved:
-
$5.2 billion in additional debt relief for 53,000 borrowers under Public Service Loan Forgiveness programs.
-
Nearly $2.8 billion in new debt relief for nearly 51,000 borrowers through fixes to income-driven repayment plans. These are borrowers who have been in repayment for 20 or more years but never got the relief they were entitled to
-
$1.2 billion for nearly 22,000 borrowers who have a total or permanent disability and have been identified and approved for discharge through a data match with the Social Security Administration.
SAVE Repayment Plan Offers Lower Monthly Loan Payments
The Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) Plan is the newest income-driven repayment (IDR) plan. Like other IDR plans, the SAVE Plan calculates your monthly payment amount based on your income and family size. In addition, the SAVE Plan has unique benefits that will lower payments for many borrowers.
The SAVE Plan replaced the Revised Pay As You Earn (REPAYE) Plan. Borrowers on the REPAYE Plan automatically get the benefits of the new SAVE Plan.
Click here to apply for and learn more about the SAVE Plan.
Vision Urbana English Language Learning Program
Vision Urbana, in collaboration with the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs and with funding from the United Way of NYC, is offering a free English Language Learning Program, Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:30–11:30 am, open to new migrants at the VU Bracetti Community Center on E. 4th St (between Avenues B and C). For more information and to register, call 646-200-2979.
Free Rapid Covid Tests
The federal government is again making free COVID rapid at home tests widely available. Each household is eligible to receive 4 free tests. Orders can be placed here.
DOHMH Rat Academy Training
The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is offering two new virtual Rat Academy Trainings from the Dept. of Health—one for community gardeners on 10/17 from 10:30 am–12:30 pm, and another for building supers/staff, homeowners, and tenants on 10/26 from 10:30 am–12:30 pm. Click the links above to enroll.
Ways to Succeed as a Grassroots Nonprofit
Partnerships Academy is hosting a workshop on Wednesday, October 25, 2023 for volunteer-led organizations interested in learning more about what nonprofit, 501(c)(3) status entails. This workshop will be led by expert trainers from TD Bank and the New York Lawyers for the Public Interest and will walk through the legal considerations of forming your own nonprofit corporation, providing a holistic understanding of 501(c)(3) status.
Wednesday, October 25, 2023
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
New York Lawyers for the Public Interest
151 West 30th Street, New York, NY 10001
What can you expect to learn:
- What it means to be not-for-profit and tax-exempt
- The advantages and limitations of this 501(c)(3) status
- Legal considerations before applying for nonprofit status
- An outline of the application process
Featured Speakers:
- Tiffany Tam of Patterson Belknap, New York Lawyers for the Public Interest
- Marcus Gonzales, TD Bank
Note: This session will be held both in person and online. Capacity is limited for those attending in person. Registration is required and will close the day before the event. If you chose to attend online, you will receive information on how to join the webinar once you register. Questions? Reach out to academy@cityparksfoundation.org.
Big Apple Connect Program Expansion
More than 330,000 NYCHA residents in 150,000 households citywide now have access to free, fast, reliable, and safe broadband internet and cable through Big Apple Connect. As of August 1, 2023, the program was expanded to the 17 public housing developments listed below:
- 303 Vernon Avenue (Brooklyn)
- Atlantic Terminal Site 4B (Brooklyn)
- Baruch Houses (Manhattan)
- Baruch Houses Addition (Manhattan)
- De Hostos Apartments (Manhattan)
- Jefferson (Manhattan)
- Kingsborough Houses (Brooklyn)
- Kingsborough Extension (Brooklyn)
- Manhattanville Houses (Manhattan)
- Morrisania Air Rights (Bronx)
- Red Hook East (Brooklyn)
- Red Hook West (Brooklyn)
- Riis Houses (Manhattan)
- Riis Houses II (Manhattan)
- Saint Nicholas (Manhattan)
- Wald (Manhattan)
- Woodson (Brooklyn)
A full listing of Big Apple Connect eligible NYCHA developments are available here.
NYCHA residents without existing home internet are able to sign up for Big Apple Connect with either Optimum or Spectrum (service provider will depend on the location). Existing Optimum and Spectrum customers will have their bills reduced to as low as $0, as monthly internet and basic cable TV charges are eliminated.
NYCHA residents in eligible developments are eligible to receive a package which includes:
- FREE internet connections with download speeds of up to 300 Mbps
- FREE wireless router
- FREE modem
- FREE basic cable TV
- FREE cable box and remote control
Click here for more information and to check your eligibility.
NYC Asylum Application Help Center Job Opportunities
The City’s Asylum Application Help Centers are hiring application assistants—who will work with applicants to answer questions—and experienced immigration lawyers to supervise application assistants and provide guidance. Individuals interested in temporary assignments as Asylum Application Assistants or Supervising Attorneys should click here learn more and apply.
Bilingual in Spanish and English is strongly preferred.
To apply, visit www.oncallcounsel.com/asylum.
There are also positions for non-attorneys, law students, and others.
Internet for NYC Families with the Affordable Connectivity Program
New Yorkers can apply for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) to get $30 off their monthly internet bill. Any household with a child currently enrolled in NYC public schools qualifies for ACP. Help us spread the word amongst qualifying families! Visit on.nyc.gov/ACPBackToSchool for more information.
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.
-
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): WIC gives milk, juice, formula, and other healthy foods to low-income mothers, pregnant women, and young children, regardless of immigration status. If you are a woman who is pregnant, has an infant or child younger than five, or is breastfeeding, you may be eligible for WIC. To learn more about WIC or apply, visit: https://www.health.ny.gov/prevention/nutrition/wic, call the Growing Up Healthy Hotline at (800) 522-5006 or click here to view a list of local WIC agencies.
-
GetCoveredNYC and Health Literacy: Understanding the ins and outs of health insurance is critical to making informed decisions about your health. GetCoveredNYC Specialists educate New Yorkers on all things health insurance, including definitions. Learn more at on.nyc.gov/HealthInsuranceVocab.
-
The Mayor’s Public Engagement Unit and NYC Aging: Through a collaboration with the NYC Cabinet for Older New Yorkers' member agencies NYC Health + Hospitals, NYC Health, and Mayor’s Public Engagement Unit, the Health Subcommittee created a printable, double-sided Pocket Guide of NYC Aging Services. The guide is intended help other professionals better serve older residents and can be downloaded from Cabinet’s website by clicking here.
-
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
| 
