February 16, 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.
Following our standing weekly call, we continue to share important updates as well as an ongoing synopsis of the information shared in prior communications which can be found on our DSS COVID-19 Community Updates page.
COVID-19 Vaccination Updates
As of February 15, State eligibility criteria for the COVID-19 vaccine in New York includes individuals (16 and older) with certain underlying conditions and comorbidities that are known to cause increased risk from COVID-19. New Yorkers must provide a doctor's letter or medical information proving eligibility. More information can be found here.
Yankee Stadium is now open as a vaccination distribution site for Bronx residents. The site will operate from 8 am to 8 pm seven days per week. Vaccinations are by appointment only and for Bronx residents meeting eligibility requirements for groups 1a and 1b (individuals with comorbidities, as well as TLC drivers and restaurant workers, are in group 1b). Eligible Bronx residents can make an appointment by visiting somosvaccinations.com or by calling 1-833-somosNY (1-833-766-6769). Individuals who schedule appointments for Yankee Stadium are required to bring proof of residency with them to the appointment. To prove Bronx residency, an individual must show one of the following: State or government issued ID, statement from landlord, current rent receipt or lease, mortgage records, or two of the following: Statement from another person, current mail, school records.
As of February 10, CitiField is also open as a COVID-19 vaccination site. Operated by the NYC Test & Trace Corps, the site will serve eligible Queens residents, along with priority appointments for TLC and food service workers from across the five boroughs. In order to prove Queens residency, an individual must show one of the following: State or government issued ID, statement from landlord, current rent receipt or lease, mortgage records, or two of the following: Statement from another person, current mail, school records. This site will be open for service 24 hours daily/7 days weekly beginning on Wednesday, February 17, and eligible New Yorkers can make an appointment here or by calling 877-VAX-4NYC.
Appointments are required at all locations in order to be vaccinated. Please visit the NYC COVID-19 Vaccine Finder here or call 877-VAX-4NYC (877-829-4692) for more information, to find a vaccine hub near you, or to schedule an appointment. Additional sites are coming online every day, so please continue to check the vaccinefinder site often.
Steps for making a vaccine appointment:
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Step 1: Determine your eligibility and schedule an appointment: Complete the Am I Eligible? App to check eligibility and find vaccination locations to schedule an appointment or call the New York City COVID-19 Vaccination Hotline at 877-VAX-4NYC (877-829-4692).
- Step 2: Complete the Vaccine Form. After confirming an appointment, New Yorkers must complete the New York State COVID-19 Vaccine Form. This form can be completed online or at the vaccination site. (We encourage New Yorkers to complete the form ahead of time.)
- Step 3: Bring proof of eligibility to vaccination appointment. Proof of eligibility is required at the vaccination site.
- People who are eligible based on their employment must attest that their job requires them to have in-person contact with members of the public or with co-workers, or that they are unable to work remotely.
- They must also have proof of employment in New York, such as an employee ID card, a letter from their employer or affiliated organization, or a recent pay stub (depending on your specific priority status).
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Those who are eligible for a vaccine based on age must show proof of age and New York residency, such as New York State driver’s license, IDNYC, passport, mail (residency), rent statement (residency) or birth certificate (age). See the New York State list of requirements for additional information.
More information can be found here.
New York State has established a hotline that New Yorkers can call to report suspected vaccine fraud or scams. To make a report, New Yorkers can call 1-833-VAX-SCAM (1-833-829-7226) or email STOPVAXFRAUD@health.nyc.gov.
The City’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has created a social media toolkit which is available here.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has added additional categories of qualified providers to prescribe, dispense, and administer COVID-19 vaccines as of January 28th. Among other things, the HHS policy states that:
- Any licensed or certified healthcare provider in one state is now authorized to prescribe, dispense, and/or administer the vaccine in any other state or U.S. territory.
- Any physician, registered nurse, or practical nurse whose license or certification expired within the past five years is also now authorized, but must be observed by a practicing provider.
- All providers are required to document completion of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 Vaccine Training Modules.
- Any state law that effectively prohibits the above from administering vaccines is preempted by this HHS Declaration.
The Federal government will begin sending coronavirus vaccines directly to pharmacies, with the initial shipment of 1 million doses going to 6500 stores across the country beginning on February 11. Pharmacies in NYC will still need to follow New York State’s vaccine distribution plans, including eligibility tiers. CVS Health will begin to administer the coronavirus vaccine to eligible people at select pharmacies across New York on Thursday, Feb. 11, and people can make appointments starting Monday, February 8 by registering at CVS.com, through the CVS Pharmacy app or by calling 1-800-746-7287.
Vaccine Community Conversation
The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is hosting a COVID-19 Community Conversation: Mental Health, Equity & Resilience, which covers topics including grief, trauma, coping, resilience and mental health tips. Click here to register for an upcoming presentation!
DHS Vaccination Sites
DHS established its first vaccination site on January 18 and will continue to expand the number sites once the supply of vaccines becomes available. Staff and residents of DHS shelters have the option of using the DHS site or the City’s Vaccination Hubs.
Free COVID-19 Testing Sites
Mobile testing sites will be located outside of two HRA centers in Queens and the Bronx during the week of February 15th. The hours will be from 8 am to 7 pm at the following two centers:
Queens SNAP Center (Feb 15 – 21, 2021)
32-20 Northern Boulevard
Queens, NY 11101
Crotona (February 15 – 19, 2021)
1910 Monterey Avenue
Bronx, NY 10457
Mobile sites are available at locations throughout the City on a weekly basis. Please be sure to check the mobile testing sites here.
Free testing continues to be available throughout the five boroughs. As a reminder, getting tested is safe, confidential, and free. All New Yorkers should get tested, even those who do not have symptoms or are unsure if they were exposed to COVID-19. Getting frequent tests should be every New Yorker's goal. Don't stop at just one test. 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. This dashboard displays estimated wait times for NYC Health + Hospitals COVID-19 testing locations. This wait time information is updated by site staff every two hours.
NYC Test & Trace Corps has created a folder of documents for public sharing, including flyers, palm cards, holiday guidance, travel guidelines, and more. The documents are available here. Learn more about how New York City is here to help with testing and tracing in this Test and Trace FAQ or by visiting www.testandtrace.nyc.
CDC Toolkit for Community Organizations
One-Shot Deal Eligibility
In response to questions received on a recent community briefing call, we would like to reiterate that eligibility for a One-Shot Deal is not contingent on being sued for rent arrears. We appreciate those who have recognized in recent public statements that we have made it clear that there is no such requirement for receipt of a One-Shot Deal for rent arrears. We are also continuing our efforts to ensure that this is clear to potential applicants. Please reference and share the One Shot Deal fact sheet that has been on our website here, which makes it clear that an eviction case is not required to receive a One Shot Deal. In September, HPD shared this information with their citywide landlord contacts. We also appreciate the recent request to reinforce this message with our staff. We will be sharing instructions with staff as a reminder that an eviction case is not required. Other limitations on the provision of these grants are set by State statute and regulations, including the repayment agreement requirement that we have asked the State to waive during the continuing public health emergency.
Child Care
Recipients of Cash Assistance who are participating in an approved education or training program outside of the home, or are employed, may be eligible for childcare assistance. Active Cash Assistance recipients should take the following steps to apply for child care:
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Select a child care provider using this Child Care Provider Search tool, which filters contracted and non-contracted providers based on client needs;
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Complete the appropriate provider enrollment form(s), which can be accessed here.
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Upload the form(s) via the ACCESS HRA mobile document upload.
We have updated ACCESS HRA to guide applicants through the process and we also have information on our website here.
Below are links to relevant information:
“Pay It Off” – Child Support Debt Reduction
Our agency operates a child support program to help lift children out of poverty that is required by federal and state law, and we have implemented enhancements to help both custodial and non-custodial parents. From March 1 to 31, our Pay It Off program enables noncustodial parents to reduce their child support debt owed to the New York City Department of Social Services (NYC DSS) twice as fast. During this time, noncustodial parents can get qualified payments matched dollar for dollar. Our Pay It Off program will match payments they make in March of at least $200 toward their NYC DSS child support debt – up to the amount they permanently owe NYC DSS. Payments must be over the amount of their monthly child support obligation. Noncustodial parents should sign and submit the Pay It Off agreement along with a copy of their photo I.D. by mail or email to the NYC DSS Office of Child Support Services. Learn more here.
Case Changes on ACCESS HRA
For active Cash Assistance cases that are adding an adult, there is now an optional signature field within the grant request. This means that an additional adult requesting to be added to an active case no longer has to come into a Center in order to sign the CA application.
Updated Federal Poverty Guidelines
The United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has published its annual update to the HHS poverty guidelines. The information below represents 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines that are in effect from June 1, 2021 through May 31, 2022.
Family Size: 1
Monthly Income: $2,146
Annual Income: $25,760
Family Size: 2
Monthly income: $2,903
Annual Income: $34,840
Family Size: 3
Monthly Income: $3,660
Annual Income: $43,920
Family Size: 4
Monthly Income: $4,416
Annual Income: $53,000
Family Size: 5
Monthly Income: $5,173
Annual Income: $62,080
Family Size: 6
Monthly Income: $5,930
Annual Income: $71,160
Family Size: 7
Monthly Income: $6,686
Annual Income: $80,240
Family Size: 8
Monthly Income: $7,443
Annual Income: $89,320
For family units with more than eight members, add $756 monthly or $9,080 annually for each additional family member.
The 200% of Federal Poverty Guidelines do not go into effect for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) on June 1st. Poverty guidelines for SNAP are updated each year on October 1st.
The 200% of Federal Poverty Guidelines go into effect for the Emergency Assistance to Families (EAF) program on April 1st.
The 200% of Federal Poverty Guidelines went into effect for CityFHEPS on January 13th, 2021.
FEMA Funeral and Burial Reimbursement
FEMA has announced a program that will help pay for the funeral and burial of COVID-19 victims whose families can’t afford the expenses. People can file retroactively for reimbursements dating back to January 20, 2020. A family seeking to file for the coverage will need documentation, such as a death certificate or obituary, as well as receipts for all the funeral costs. FEMA is creating a call center where caseworkers can assist people applying, and eligible people will be able to upload the documentation into an online portal or submit the paperwork via fax or U.S. mail. The phone number and online system are not operational yet and we will follow up with more information as it becomes available.
Office of Burial Services
The HRA Office of Burial Services (OBS), formerly the Burial Claims Unit, is open for in-person services and to receive live phone calls on Wednesdays only from 9 AM – 5 PM:
In-person: 33-28 Northern Blvd, 3rd floor
Long Island City, NY 11101
By phone: 929-252-7731
Clients who call on any other day can leave a message and a staff member will return their call by the end of the next business day.
Self-Employment Sick and Family Leave Tax Credits
IDNYC Renewals
The time period for renewing IDNYC cards has been extended. New Yorkers may renew their IDNYC cards starting 90 days before and up to 1 year after the expiration date on the card. If a card expired in 2020, the cardholder may renew at any time through December 31, 2021. After this date, they will not be able to renew their card and will need to submit a new application at an Enrollment Center. If a card expires in 2021, the cardholder may renew it within one year from the card's expiration date. Cards can be renewed here and the full list of 2021 IDNYC benefit partners can be viewed here.
Grab and Go Meals
Grab-and-go free meal service times during February 15th-19th (Mid-Winter School Recess) will be from 12pm to 3pm. All sites offer vegetarian meals, and kosher and halal meals are available at select sites which can be found online here. For more information please visit www.schools.nyc.gov/freemeals, and/or Text “NYC FOOD” or “NYC COMIDA” to 877-877 to find a location.
Pandemic EBT Benefits (P-EBT)
As we have reported on the weekly calls and described on our website at DSS COVID-19 Community Updates page, the continuing resolution appropriations bill that Congress passed in late September provides an additional $8 billion for nutrition benefits, and also extends a suite of nutrition-related regulatory waivers through Federal Fiscal Year 2021, including measures to help families with school-aged children buy groceries and flexibility for school districts to make meals more accessible to students. This includes the continuation of P-EBT benefits for the 2020-21 school year.
Pandemic EBT benefits are provided by the State, which administers the program. Students are eligible for benefits for days when students were not physically in the school building, whether on a hybrid schedule or engaged in fully remote learning. When the State provides more information on the operation of the 2020-2021 school year program, we will provide it in our weekly communications.
P-EBT benefits for the school year which ended in June 2020 have been distributed by the State. A detailed explanation of the State’s distribution plan for these benefits is included on our DSS COVID-19 Community Updates page. The State completed P-EBT benefits distribution in October 2020 for the spring quarter of the 2020 school year. The State has been following up by phone with recipients who have not yet used the funds.
State OTDA is operating a P-EBT helpline at 833.452.0096. The helpline is available from 8:30am – 5pm Monday through Friday. Interpretation services are available. Questions regarding P-EBT food benefits can also be submitted through the State’s contact form.
State OTDA has also provided the following email address to direct questions regarding the distribution of P-EBT benefits: otda.sm.eisp.pebt@otda.ny.gov.
Economic Impact Payment Information – Temporary Accounts
If taxpayers do not recognize the bank account number displayed in the Get My Payment tool, it is not necessarily an indicator of fraud. If a taxpayer does not recognize the account number, it may be an issue related to how information is displayed in the Get My Payment tool tied to temporary accounts used for refund loans/banking products. The IRS is working to address this issue. People do not need to complete Form 14039, Identity Theft Affidavit, or contact the IRS.
Some recipients may have had their payment directed to the temporary bank account established when their 2019 tax return was filed. The IRS and tax industry partners are taking immediate steps to redirect stimulus payments to the correct account for those affected. The IRS anticipates many additional taxpayers will receive payments following this effort.
Application Period for 3-K and Pre-K
Applications for 3-K and Pre-K spots for the 2021-22 school year will open on Wednesday, February 24. All families with children born in 2017 can apply for pre-K until April 7, and families with children born in 2018 can apply for 3-K until April 30. Families in every school district meeting the income requirements can apply for free or low-cost Pre-K and 3-K programs.
Families can apply online, in ten languages, at MySchools.nyc or over the phone, in 200 languages, at 718-935-2009. Families seeking an open 3-K or pre-K seat for this current school year can call 718-935-2009 or email ES_Enrollment@schools.nyc.gov to learn about any available options in their community.
Middle Schools Re-opening
New York City middle school buildings will reopen for in-person learning beginning on Thursday, February 25. Schools will contact each household with information about each student’s specific in-person schedule. High school students will continue to learn remotely until further notice.
Community-wide Conference Call
We appreciate your continued participation in 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.
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
