January 11, 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 Distribution Update
Governor Cuomo announced Friday the expansion of vaccine eligibility to group 1B as well as the expansion of the State's vaccination distribution. Certain essential workers and New Yorkers over the age of 75 can now begin to make vaccination reservations at vaccine administration sites as of January 11, 2021.
Eligible New Yorkers for vaccinations are as follows:
Group 1-A
- High-risk hospital workers (emergency room workers, ICU staff and Pulmonary Department staff)
- Residents and staff at nursing homes and other congregate care facilities
- Federally Qualified Health Center employees
- EMS workers
- Coroners, medical examiners and certain funeral workers
- Staff and residents at OPWDD, OMH and OASAS facilities
- Urgent Care providers
- Individuals administering COVID-19 vaccines, including local health department staff
Group 1-B
- Teachers and education workers
- First responders
- Public safety workers
- Public transit workers
- People 75 and older
The next cohort of group 1-B should begin to receive vaccinations starting in February 2021. This group includes:
- Other front-line essential workers (to be determined by New York State)
- Other at-risk groups (to be determined by New York State)
Phase 1C will likely begin in March/April 2021 and will include the following:
- People age 65-74
- People with underlying health conditions (to be determined by New York State)
- All other essential workers (to be determined by New York State)
Phase 2 will include all other New Yorkers and is expected to begin in summer 2021.
For eligible New Yorkers, all vaccines are provided by appointment only. For a list of vaccine locations and to make an appointment, please visit the vaccine administration sites here.
In order to receive a vaccine, eligible New Yorkers will need to complete the NYS COVID-19 Vaccine Form, which can be found here. NYS requires the provider administering the vaccine check that anyone receiving a vaccine has completed the form before administering the vaccine.
In addition, proof of employment (for those for whom eligibility based on employment) must be presented at a vaccine appointment such as an employee ID card, a letter from employer or affiliated organization, or a recent pay stub.
Free COVID-19 Testing Sites
Free testing continues to be available throughout the five boroughs. 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. These are no cost testing sites open to all New Yorkers.
The Test-and-Trace corps now 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 online here.
Restrictions on Eviction
Under a new New York State law called the COVID-19 Emergency Eviction and Foreclosure Prevention Act as well as an order of NYS Chief Administrative Judge Lawrence Marks, all pending eviction cases in New York City Housing Court are stayed through February 28, 2021. Tenants sued in eviction proceedings cannot be evicted during that time and new eviction proceedings may not be filed. In addition, the new state law provides that tenants who have suffered financial hardship during the pandemic or who would suffer hardship as a result of having to move will be protected from eviction for nonpayment of rent and in some holder cases until at least May 1, 2021 if they sign and deliver a “Hardship Declaration” to their landlord or landlord’s agent (or, if there is a Housing Court case, to the court).
The Hardship Declaration permits a tenant to declare hardship for:
- loss of significant household income; or
- increased expenses related to health impacts or essential work; or
- increased child care or other family care expenses during the pandemic; or
- inability to obtain meaningful employment because of circumstances relating to COVID-19; or
- inability to afford to move or difficulty securing alternative housing making it a hardship to relocate to another home during the COVID-19 pandemic; or
- vacating and moving would pose a significant health risk if the tenant or a member of the household is over 65 years of age or have a disability or underlying medical condition.
Links to the Hardship Declaration can be found here in English and Spanish.
Tenants may proactively complete the Hardship Declaration and return it to the landlord whether or not a case is pending.
Tenants are required to provide correct and truthful information in the Hardship Declaration. If the Hardship Declaration is signed and delivered to the landlord/the landlord’s agent or the Housing Court if there is an eviction case, a tenant cannot be evicted and a landlord may not file an eviction case against the tenant until at least May 1, 2021. This law protects all tenants whether or not the landlord has started an eviction case against the tenant. The exception to this protection is in the event that the landlord is seeking eviction for causing an ongoing nuisance condition or presenting a substantial danger to the safety of other tenants. Tenants who are protected under this law are still responsible for all required rent, fees, penalties or interest under their lease.
Tenants at risk of eviction 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.
In addition, the law protects eligible property owners temporarily from tax lien sale and tax foreclosure proceedings; protects property owners from credit discrimination and adverse credit reporting; and provides extensions of the Senior Citizen Homeowners’ Exemption (SCRIE) and the Disabled Homeowners’ Exemption (DRIE) benefits.
NYS Housing and Community Renewal COVID Rent Relief Program Re-opened
As we have reported previously, the New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) has announced the re-opening of the COVID Rent Relief Program with expanded eligibility criteria in an effort to serve New Yorkers who many not have had the opportunity to apply during the initial round of State grants or those who may have been previously ineligible. State HCR began accepting applications on December 18 and will continue accepting applications through February 1, 2021.
NYS residents who previously applied for COVID Rent Relief will not have to reapply to be reconsidered under the new eligibility criteria. State HCR will re-evaluate all applications that were previously denied and will issue revised determination letters to applicants.
The State Program’s eligibility criteria have been changed. Households are no longer required to have been “rent burdened” prior to the pandemic in order to qualify. Rent burden is defined as paying more than thirty percent of monthly gross income toward rent.
To qualify for this one-time subsidy, low-income renters impacted by the pandemic must meet all of the following State criteria:
- Must be a renter and have a primary residence in New York State
- Applicants must have lost income during the period of April 1, 2020 through July 31, 2020
- Before March 7, 2020, household income must have been at or below eighty percent of Area Median Income, adjusted for household size
- Households must be “rent burdened” during the months they are applying for assistance (between April 1, 2020 and July 31, 2020)
For the purposes of assessing applicant income, cash benefits and unemployment benefits are both included in the calculation.
The subsidy for eligible applicants will be calculated as the difference between the household’s rent burden on March 1, 2020 and the household’s rent burden during the subsequent months of April, May, June and July of 2020. For applicants who were not considered rent burdened on March 1, 2020, the subsidy will be calculated to bring them to the thirty percent rent burden threshold.
Federal COVID-19 Emergency Relief
At the end of December, the President signed the COVID-19 Emergency Relief Act passed by Congress. The legislation provides individuals making up to $75,000 a year with a payment of $600, while couples making up to $150,000 will receive $1,200, in addition to $600 per child. Jobless workers will also get an extra $300 per week in federal assistance through March 14, 2020. The legislation also extends employment benefits to self-employed individuals, gig workers and those that have exhausted their state benefits.
State OTDA does not yet have guidance on if/how the additional UIB payments may affect Cash Assistance benefits.
For SNAP recipients, the legislation provides a 15% increase in SNAP benefits for six months (through June 30, 2021) for all SNAP participants. This increase will be included in February SNAP benefits. The State has not yet indicated how January benefit increase will be distributed, and we will share this information when we have it.
The legislation also excludes unemployment compensation from being counted as income for the purposes of calculating SNAP benefits. In addition, the bill provides funding to add additional retailers to the online SNAP program as well as funding for food banks through the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) will also expand access to food benefits for children by allowing all children under age 6 to be deemed “enrolled” in childcare, making them eligible for P-EBT.
The bill also expands the federal CDC eviction moratorium and establishes an emergency federal rental assistance program to be distributed by state and local governments. These funds will be targeted to families impacted by COVID that are struggling to make the rent and may have past due rent. These families will be able to utilize this assistance for past due rent and limited future rent payments, as well as to pay utility and energy bills and prevent shutoffs.
Stimulus Payment Eligibility
Eligibility for stimulus payment under the COVID-19 Federal Relief Bill is based on 2019 taxes, but if someone would qualify in 2020 and not in 2019, they can file a form to qualify for a Recovery Rebate Credit on their taxes. If someone did not file taxes in 2018 or 2019, they can file for a Recovery Rebate Credit and/or use the IRS Non-filer portal.
Payments will be disbursed via direct deposit, physical check, or prepaid card. For those receiving government benefits (SSDI, SSI, VA), their payment will be disbursed in the same way they currently receive benefits.
Single people who receive $600:
- Anyone making up to $75,00
- Anyone 16 years old or younger, if claimed as a dependent on taxes
- Anyone 17-24 years old who's married or has dependents
- People in jail who meet the other requirements
- Someone filing taxes as a head of household who makes up to $112,500
- People on SSDI or SSI, or who get VA pension benefits, who otherwise meet requirements.
Single people who receive less than $600:
- Anyone making between $75,000 and $87,000 unless they file as head of household or are between 17 and 24.
Married people receive:
- $1,200 if their combined income is $150,000 or less and they both file taxes
- $600 if only one has a social security number and they file jointly
WeCare Clinical Assessments
As of January 4, 2021, WeCare began voluntary telephonic clinical assessments for clients who are referred to WeCare vendors by HRA. If the client chooses not to participate in the clinical assessment they will not be penalized. Clients will also receive wellness and/or SSI services on a voluntary basis if HRA determines a need for these services.
Burial Assistance
HRA has created a new burial assistance brochure outlining the application process, eligibility documentation requirements, and additional helpful information. This new brochure can be found on the HRA burial assistance web page. The brochure can be accessed here. The brochure includes a list of ten funeral homes that have agreed to work within the payment amounts for burial assistance grants.
Fair Fares for Access-A-Ride Users
The MTA will resume fare collection for Access-A-Ride transportation services on January 19, 2021. As of July 2020, DSS/HRA made the Fair Fares discount available on Access-A-Ride paratransit trips with the cooperation of the Metropolitan Transit Authority.
Customers can apply for Access-A-Ride discounts by linking an Access-A-Ride ID to the profile section of an ACCESS HRA account or by adding the Access-A-Ride ID during an application or renewal for the Fair Fares discount. There is a quick link on the ACCESS HRA website to direct FFNYC customers to the right place. The customer verification process with the MTA is completed on a daily basis.
Mandatory Dispute Resolution (MDR) Letters to Clients:
Some clients may have received an MDR appointment letter in December. We have learned that the State sent these letters in error and clients do not need to take action at this time. Clients have received a follow-up letter explaining that the scheduled appointment for which they received this notice has been cancelled and no negative action will be taken on any case that has received the MDR appointment letter.
Food Resource Guide:
The Hunter College Center for Food Policy has created food resource guides for 59 New York City neighborhoods. Each resource guide includes information related to food access within the community, such as the location and hours of food pantries, meals for students and seniors, delivery services for people with disabilities, and resources for immigrants.
Extension of Pandemic EBT Benefits (P-EBT) – September 2020 - 2021
In response to questions received on last week’s community briefing call, the information below is regularly available on our DSS COVID-19 Community Updates page, and is being included here this week for ease of reference.
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.
Benefits will be provided for days when students were not physically in the school building, whether on a hybrid schedule or engaged in fully remote learning. The Pandemic EBT program is administered by the State. When the State provides more information on the operation of the 2020-2021 school year program, we will provide it in our weekly communications.
New York City COVID-19 Immigrant Emergency Relief Program
Through a $20 million donation from Open Society Foundations to the Mayor’s Fund, the New York City COVID-19 Immigrant Emergency Relief program was able to provide direct monetary support for immigrant workers and their families who were ineligible for federal direct relief through the CARES bill or unemployment insurance. The Program reached 76,000+ individuals.
As MOIA continues to evaluate the program, New Yorkers with questions about how to access City services, assistance, or immigration legal help, can call the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) hotline at 212-788-7654, Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm, or send an email to AskMOIA@cityhall.nyc.gov.
COVID-19 Vaccine Fraud Alert Update
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) are warning the public about several emerging fraud schemes related to COVID-19 vaccines.The FBI, HHS-OIG, and CMS have received complaints of scammers using the public’s interest in COVID-19 vaccines to obtain personally identifiable information and money through various schemes. Additional information can be found here.
SNAP and Cash Assistance Recertifications and Waiver Extensions
As we reported previously in response to our waiver extension requests to the State, OTDA has granted the extension of the following waivers through March 31, 2021:
- Signature waiver for Cash Assistance and SNAP applications and recertifications taken by DSS staff over the phone.
- The waiver permitting telephone interviews for Cash Assistance applications and recertifications.
Eligible Cash Assistance and SNAP cases that were due for recertification in the months of December 2020 through March 2021 will be extended for up to six months. Eligible cases are those that have not previously received an extension on recertification.
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
