April 12, 2021
Dear Community Partner:
Thank you for your ongoing partnership in our shared commitment to serve New Yorkers in need during the COVID-19 pandemic.
As we reported last week, the City now offers immediate appointments to New Yorkers aged 75 or older at City-operated vaccination sites. In addition, one individual who is otherwise eligible for the vaccine (currently any New Yorker age 16 and above) may escort that 75+ New Yorker and also receive an immediate appointment. New Yorkers 75 and older must show proof of age upon arrival at the vaccination site to receive the immediate appointment.
If the 75+ individual brings a companion age 16 or 17, the companion can only receive the Pfizer vaccine. As such, if the Pfizer vaccine is not available at the vaccine site they will not be able to receive the vaccine at the same time as the vaccine recipient who is 75+. Site specific information can be found on nyc.gov/vaccinefinder.
Individuals who are concerned about getting to one of the sites can call the NYC scheduling hotline at 1-877-829-4692 and request free transportation services to and from the site.
Vaccination Resources
The Health Center COVID-19 Vaccine Program is a partnership between the Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA) and the CDC that allocates vaccine doses directly to select HRSA-funded health centers that specialize in caring for hard-to-reach and disproportionately affected populations. On April 7, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that all HRSA-funded health centers and Health Center Program look-alikes (LALs) will now be invited to participate in the Health Center COVID-19 Vaccine Program and have COVID-19 vaccinations directly allocated to them. Learn more about the program and see a list of participating and invited centers here.
Assistance for New Yorkers Who Test Positive for COVID
NYC Health & Hospitals' Test & Trace Corps is providing special services for New Yorkers who test positive and their close contacts:
-
“Take Care” packages which include enough personal protective equipment for a household of three to quarantine for 10-14 days. Learn more here.
-
A free hotel room for up to 14 days if quarantining at home is impossible. Click here to learn more or call (212) 268-4319 to book a room.
-
Free dog walking and other pet drop-in services to ensure New Yorkers can remain safely separated in a hotel or at home. Learn more here.
COVID-19 Testing
New York is expanding the New York Forward Rapid Testing Program to help businesses and events safely reopen. Twenty-five new sites opened on Thursday, April 1, and 10 new sites will open within the next two weeks for a total of 70 sites statewide. The New York Forward Rapid Test Program provides affordable rapid (30 minutes or less) COVID tests at locations across the State. Learn more.
The NYC Test and Trace Corps has developed a quick and easy way to help CBOs get their networks vaccinated. There is now a Call Center that will make appointment calls on their behalf. The process to participate is very simple. All they have to do is submit a single spreadsheet with each individual’s name, phone number, email address, preferred language, and preferred time to be contacted (the template for this spreadsheet is provided on the CBO Vaccine Scheduling Form).
No other sensitive information is needed. Once this information is received, the Call Center will reach out and schedule vaccination appointments for locations throughout the city.
Free testing continues to be available throughout the five boroughs. A schedule of mobile testing locations throughout the City as well as detailed information on locations and types of testing offered at regular testing sites (including rapid testing and antibody tests) can be found here. 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.
The Test-and-Trace corps offers the COVID 19 Wait Times Dashboard, which displays estimated wait times for NYC Health + Hospitals COVID-19 testing locations. This wait time information is updated by site staff every two hours.
Updated Quarantine Information
As of April 1, 2021, domestic travelers are no longer required to quarantine after entering New York from another U.S. State or U.S. Territory. While no longer required, the NYS Department of Health still recommends quarantine after domestic travel as an added precaution. Mandatory quarantine remains in effect for international travelers. All travelers must continue to fill out the Traveler Health Form. Individuals should continue strict adherence to all safety guidelines to stop the spread—wearing masks, socially distancing and avoiding gatherings.
Public Health Resources
“Citizen Public Health Training” is New York State’s free new course to help people recover from the pandemic and prepare for future health crises. In partnership with Cornell University, the 16-hour online course will focus on health communication and community engagement to empower New Yorkers as public health leaders; the course is available beginning Friday, April 30th. Register here and preview course materials.
Nursing Home Visitation
New, revised nursing home visitation guidance is currently in effect and aligns with guidelines recently released by the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The guidance permits visitation at all times and for all residents with limited exceptions for unvaccinated residents in areas of high community spread and lower resident vaccination rates, residents with confirmed COVID-19 infection, or those in isolation or quarantine. Facilities must continue to adhere to strong infection control practices. More information on the new guidance can be found here.
As it did in prior months during the public health emergency, State OTDA is issuing an emergency SNAP supplement to households who were issued SNAP benefits for April 2021. Starting with the April SNAP benefit, all households, even those receiving the maximum SNAP allotment, will receive the supplement. Households that previously would have received a supplement of less than $95 will now receive a supplement of at least $95. For households receiving a supplement of greater than $95, this policy change will not affect the amount of the supplement received. For households receiving supplements greater than $95, the supplement will continue to be the difference between the amount the household was issued and the maximum benefit amount for the household size.
As an example, if the maximum allotment for a household is $430 and the household received $370, the supplement would be $95 rather than $60 (as it would have been previously during the pandemic). But if the maximum allotment for the household is $430 and the household received $320, the supplement would remain $110.
The emergency SNAP supplement is being issued to households even if their SNAP case is currently closed. Further information is available here.
The HEAP Cooling Assistance Component (CAC) will open on Monday, May 3, 2021.
Applications for the 2021 HEAP Cooling Assistance Component (CAC) will be accepted starting on Monday, May 3, 2021. Benefits will be provided on a first come, first served basis to eligible applicants through Tuesday, August 31, 2021, or until funding allocated to this component is exhausted.
As a reminder, to be eligible for a CAC benefit, the applicant or a household member must have a documented medical condition that is exacerbated by extreme heat. Requirements for medical documentation for CAC may be waived for applicants who are unable to obtain such documentation due to COVID-19. Additionally, the applicant household must not have a working air conditioner newer than five years old, or must not have received a HEAP-funded air conditioner within the past five years.
Claiming Recovery Rebates
We have created a flyer with this information which can be found here.
As a reminder, the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection’s (DCWP) can provide assistance filing for the Recovery Rebate Credit. Their NYC Free Tax Prep program provides New Yorkers assistance to file tax returns for free and claim important tax credits including federal stimulus payments. Visit nyc.gov/taxprep or call 311 for more information.
Federal CDC Eviction Moratorium Extended Through June 30, 2021
As we reported last week, the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued an order that extends a moratorium on certain evictions through June 30, 2021. The CDC Order does not apply where state or local laws provide the same or greater protections against eviction, as they do in New York State until at least May 1, 2021, for tenants who submit a Hardship Declaration. Tenants and occupants who have suffered financial hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic and were unable to pay some or all of their rent, or for whom moving from their home during the pandemic would pose a hardship can submit a Hardship Declaration and be protected from eviction until at least May 1, 2021.
Tenants and occupants who submit a completed Hardship Declaration to their landlord and/or the Housing Court cannot be evicted from a primary residence pursuant to a pending eviction case, and the landlord may not file a new case to evict until at least May 1, 2021, unless the tenant or occupant is causing a nuisance condition for other tenants or is a danger to the safety of others. Tenants and occupants can proactively complete a Hardship Declaration and return it to the landlord whether or not there is an eviction case pending against them.
Hardship Declaration forms are available to download in 20 languages on the New York State Courts website at http://nycourts.gov/EEFPA.
Tenants with questions about the CDC order, New York State eviction protections or the Hardship Declaration have access to free legal advice and other assistance during this time through HRA’s Office of Civil Justice. For more information on how to access free legal services for tenants in NYC, you may contact the Tenant Helpline by calling 311 and asking for the Tenant Helpline, or visit HRA’s Office of Civil Justice at www.nyc.gov/civiljustice.
The provision of this information about these efforts is for informational purposes only and does not represent an endorsement by the City of New York.
Cash Assistance Six-Month Mailer
As we reported last week, the State has granted our request to permit HRA to take no negative actions for failure to return a Cash Assistance six-month mailer due between January 1 and June 30, 2021.
As a reminder, this aligns with our previous announcement that there would be no negative actions for failure to return SNAP periodic reports due between January 1 and June 30, 2021.
Medicaid cases with authorization ending in July, August, September, October, November and December 2020 and January, February, March, April, May and June 2021 will be automatically extended for 12 months.
FHEPS Signature Waiver
We have received an expansion of the signature waiver we have employed to accept SNAP and Cash Assistance applications taken over the phone to now include FHEPS applications that are taken over the phone by HRA workers.
CityFHEPS Court Action Waiver
For clients in the community in need of CityFHEPS assistance to maintain their current housing, HRA is temporarily waiving the requirement of a court action through May 1, 2021 or until the State eviction moratorium is lifted, whichever is later. In line with the waiver the State recently granted to HRA for State FHEPS, a written rent demand or written threat of eviction, combined with the hardship declaration, may be used in lieu of the court action when determining CityFHEPS eligibility.
Utility Arrears Emergency Assistance
As we reported last week, the NYS Legislature has extended the moratorium on the termination of utility services for nonpayment until December 31, 2021, or for a period of 180 days after the COVID-19 state of emergency is lifted, whichever is later, for New Yorkers who have experienced financial hardship due to COVID-19. The previous moratorium had been set to expire on March 31, 2021. The new legislation further extends these protections to certain small businesses with less than 25 employees, and additionally prevents the termination of cable television and broadband internet services. As a reminder, New Yorkers can apply for an emergency assistance grant (one shot deal) to help pay utility expenses owed.
Mitchell-Lama Connect
The new Mitchell-Lama Connect portal tracks Mitchell-Lama waiting list applications, similar to the Department of Housing Preservation and Development’s Housing Connect affordable housing portal.
We Are All New York Fellowship Grants
Unlock NYC is a non-governmental tool that lets you learn about your rights and report landlords you believe are refusing housing vouchers to the NYC Human Rights Commission for potential intervention.
Small Business Services Employment Assistance
U.S. Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
The deadline for applications to the U.S. Small Business Administration's Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) has been extended to May 31, 2021. The program currently offers:
- First Draw PPP Loans for first-time program participants, and
- Second Draw PPP Loans for certain businesses who have previously received a PPP loan.
The NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) has launched Fair Share NYC, offering free webinars, technical assistance and access to lenders to help businesses interested in applying for PPP loans. For more information, visit nyc.gov/PPP or call 888-SBS-4NYC.
As we reported last week, under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, FEMA will provide financial assistance to individuals with COVID-related funeral expenses. Beginning on April 12, 2021, applications will be accepted through a dedicated COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Line at 844-684-6333 (TTY: 800-462-7585).
In order to be eligible for FEMA funeral assistance, the following conditions must be met:
- The death must have occurred in the United States, including U.S. territories and the District of Columbia.
- The death certificate must indicate the death was attributed to COVID-19.
- The applicant must be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or meet the federal definition for “qualified alien.”
- The citizenship status of the deceased person is not taken into consideration.
Certain eligibility documents will be required, including an official death certification and documents related to funeral expenses.
IMPORTANT: FEMA has reported reports of scams involving offers to register individuals for funeral assistance. FEMA will not contact anyone until they have called FEMA or have applied for assistance. Individuals who receive an unsolicited telephone call or email should not disclose information such as name, birth date, or social security number of any deceased family member or other individual. If there is doubt as to the legitimacy of the call, individuals should hang up and call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 or the National Center for Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 to report suspected fraud.
Pandemic EBT (P-EBT)
As a reminder, Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) benefits are administered directly by the State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA). All questions regarding P-EBT should be directed to the State. Receipt of P-EBT is separate from SNAP and receipt of P-EBT does not preclude clients from applying for SNAP benefits.
The State OTDA is providing a P-EBT helpline at 833-452-0096. The helpline is available from 8:30am – 5pm, Monday through Friday. Translation services are available. Questions can also be submitted through the State’s contact form regarding P-EBT food benefits.
Child Support Delays (during week of April 4, 2021)
As a result of issues with the State Child Support computer system during the week of April 5, 2021, there have been some delays in the issuance of child support income to families. In addition, court hearings that were scheduled to modify an order had to be adjourned to a later date because an accounting of the case was unavailable. The State systems issue has since been resolved, but there may be residual delays.
Community-wide Conference Call
We appreciate your continued participation our weekly briefing calls and your ongoing work to help make sure that the critical information and details about changes we are making in response to the pandemic are being communicated to our clients. Your active engagement is appreciated, and your questions and suggestions help us better understand the needs of those we serve and respond accordingly.
If you were not able to join our weekly call (usually on Tuesdays), please find an audio recording here and use Covid-19 as the password. The information contained in this communication is a synopsis of what was shared as well as new developments.
Each week, we will provide all of the information included in each of our prior communications on our website on the COVID-19 Community Updates page. If you would like to reference a specific prior communication, links to each of the prior communications can be found on the community updates page.
As a reminder, we have a standing informational call on Tuesdays at 4:00PM. In the event that the date or time of the weekly call needs to change due to extenuating circumstances, a notification is sent out from DSSoutreach@dss.nyc.gov, in addition to an updated calendar invitation to those who have signed up to join the calls. To be added to this list, please reach out to DSSoutreach@dss.nyc.gov.
Please note that there are several hundred participants on these weekly calls, and as a result they may start a few minutes late to allow as many people to join as possible and hear all the information. In addition, the large number of participants does not allow us to have individual conversations efficiently, which is why we respond to individual inquiries through the chat box. If you have additional questions after the call, please reach out to DSSoutreach@dss.nyc.gov or the appropriate contact area listed on our COVID 19 Community Updates page.
CART (Communication Access Realtime Translation) is available during these calls as an accommodation for individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. Please contact oria@dss.nyc.gov at least four hours prior to the call to enable this service.
As always, thank you for your continued partnership in serving New Yorkers in need, particularly now when our clients need us more than ever. If you have any questions or concerns about the changes we have made and are continuing to develop to address the COVID pandemic, please do not hesitate to reach out to the Office of Advocacy and Outreach at DSSoutreach@dss.nyc.gov.
Sincerely,
Steven Banks
DSS Commissioner
New York City Department of Social Services
