The New York City Department of Social Services/Human Resources Administration (DSS/HRA) will resume the Conciliation/ Reengagement and Sanction processes for Cash Assistance (CA) recipients beginning April 28, 2025.
DSS/HRA is required to re-institute CA sanctions for non-compliance with work-related appointments and assignments. Please note, CA recipients may resolve a sanction at any point in time by demonstrating compliance with work requirements, or by informing DSS/HRA of a reason why they are not subject to work requirements. Also, safeguards are in place to prevent a sanction, if prior to imposition, HRA’s case review finds that supportive services like childcare, transportation and reasonable accommodations were not in place and available at the time of non-compliance.
At a Conciliation/Reengagement appointment, a CA recipient will have an opportunity to:
Appeal and demonstrate that they complied with the appointment/assignment;
Explain reason(s) for non-compliance with work requirements, for example, by providing proof of current employment, or a health-related limitation, if that is the cause;
Request a new work assignment; and/or
Comply with the work requirements; or
Request a work-requirement exemption due to health limitations.
Clients are urged to communicate timely with HRA to prevent the potential decrease or termination of their CA and SNAP benefits. If the client does not appear for a Conciliation/Reengagement appointment, they will be sanctioned. Examples of sanctions required under Federal and State law are reductions or discontinuances in CA, including certain housing subsidies, and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Note that while CA sanctions are not durational, Federal regulations do require a minimum sanction period be enforced for SNAP. This means that the sanctioned individual will remain ineligible for SNAP until the end of the sanction period and only become eligible again if they are complying with the work requirements, or if the individual becomes exempt from SNAP work requirements.
Clients will be notified about the importance of complying with work-related appointments and assignments, their upcoming appointments and activities. Before they are sanctioned, they will also receive a notice informing them of their right to request a conference with DSS/HRA and/or a Fair Hearing with NYS OTDA to prevent or remove a CA and SNAP sanction. The notice will inform them that they have 10 days before the sanction goes into effect.
Clients who have questions or concerns about their Cash Assistance or SNAP benefits and/or work requirements, can call DSS OneNumber, at 718-557-1399.
If you have any questions about the return of sanctions in relation to constituent services, please contact DSSOutreach@dss.nyc.gov.
Thank you for your ongoing partnership, and for all that you do every day to help New Yorkers in need.
Sincerely,
Office of Community Outreach
NYC Department of Social Services
NYC Department of Social Services | 4 World Trade Center | New York, NY 10007 US
