June 21, 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
 
Eligibility for in-home vaccinations has been expanded and now includes those who meet any of the criteria listed below. Individuals can register here to be contacted by the City to schedule an in-home vaccination:

  • A person 75 years of age or older
  • A person with a disability
  • A person that is homebound
  • A resident of NYCHA
  • An employee or retiree of the City of New York
  • A person referred by a union, a City partner, or a City vaccination team member
 
Further information can be found here. 
 
NYC is offering an incentive to community and faith-based organizations to help get people vaccinated by awarding $100 for each referral for each first dose at a City-run site. When an individual makes an appointment ahead of time or is a walkup, they can identify which community organization referred them to get vaccinated. Once they receive their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, the referral organization will be credited $100 after the program ends. Organizations can earn up to $20,000 each. Interested organizations can sign up at nyc.gov/vaccinereferralbonus. 
 
As of June 15, New Yorkers can now get vaccinated at the Empire State Building between 8am and 12pm, and head up to the 86th floor for a free visit to the outdoor deck! More information at vaccinefinder.nyc.gov
 
Luna Park on Coney Island is also offering two new vaccination incentives: free rides on the Cyclone roller coaster and 10,000 family fun wristbands. Learn how to redeem this and other offers at vaccinefinder.nyc.gov/benefits
 
NYC Mobile Vaccine Buses continue to provide vaccines in Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan and Queens. The full schedule of mobile vaccine locations can be found online here. Walk-ups are welcome and you can also book in advance through the Vax4NYC website.
 
As a reminder, New Yorkers ages 12 years and older can continue to receive their COVID-19 vaccine without an appointment at select sites across NYC. Sites can be found here. New Yorkers are required to provide proof of age and residency in order to receive the vaccine. Additional information can be found here.
 
While walk-up vaccines are available at City operated vaccination sites, appointments can still be made by using vaccinefinder.nyc.gov.

COVID-19 Testing
 
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.

Health and Human Services Disability Information and Access Line
 
U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the launch of a first-of-its-kind national hotline to connect people with disabilities to information and services to improve access to COVID-19 vaccines. The newly established Disability Information and Access Line (DIAL) is now available to help people with disabilities find vaccination locations in their communities, assist callers with making vaccination appointments, and connect callers to local services – such as accessible transportation – to overcome barriers to vaccination. The hotline can also provide information and resources to answer questions and address concerns about the vaccines and can connect callers to information and services that promote independent living and address fundamental needs, such as food, housing, and transportation. Learn more at acl.gov/dial or call 888-677-1199 from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM ET.
 
Six-Month Mailers for Cash Assistance
 
The State OTDA has denied HRA‘s request to extend our authority to refrain from taking negative actions on cases where clients did not return their Cash Assistance six-month mailer. Therefore, after June 30th, 2021, we are required to resume taking negative action if a Cash Assistance client does not return the Cash Assistance six-month mailer.
 
Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) Benefits September 2021 – March 2021
 
New York State is providing Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) food benefits to all households with children who receive free school lunch under the National School Lunch Act and whose school was closed or operating with reduced in-school attendance due to COVID-19 during the 2020-2021 school year.
 
State OTDA’s distribution of Pandemic-EBT (P-EBT) benefits for families of schoolchildren for the period of September 2020 through March 2021 is now underway.
 
This is the first disbursement of P-EBT funds for the 2020-21 school year. This initial disbursement includes approximately $120 million in P-EBT benefits being distributed to families of 137,000 New York City public school students.
 
Files for NYC public school children will continue to be processed through June. Enrollment rosters are not yet available for non-public schools and, consequently, OTDA has not confirmed the date of distribution for these funds. 
 
Each eligible child will receive P-EBT food benefits based on the number of days their school has reported that it was closed, or that in-person attendance was reduced due to COVID-19. The amount issued to each child is based on the following:
 
  • In-person school attendance was reduced by 1 to 12 days during a month
  • P-EBT amount per student: $82/month

  • In-person school attendance was reduced for more than 12 days during a month
  • P-EBT amount per student: $132/month

  • In-person school attendance was not reduced during a month due to COVID-19
  • P-EBT amount per student: $0
 
Clients with Cash Assistance and SNAP cases who receive P-EBT food benefits may see up to 7 separate payments (one for each month from September 2020 through March 2021) for the total amount due per month based on the table above and the number of eligible children in their SNAP household. 

Reminders and important information about P-EBT food benefits:

  • The amount of P-EBT food benefits for the 2020-2021 school year is different than the previous school year.
  • P-EBT food benefits will be issued for the 2020-2021 school year to households with eligible children. OTDA plans to issue the P-EBT food benefits, as follows:

  • Payment should occur June – July 2021
  • Payment covers school year months September 2020 – March 2021
  • Payment should occur By the end of September 2021
  • Payment covers school year months April 2021 – June 2021

  • P-EBT food benefits are not SNAP benefits. HRA doesn’t have information about a client’s eligibility for P-EBT, access to the details of how much money was allocated to each child, and on which card benefits were loaded.
  •  P-EBT food benefits stay on the card for at least 274 days from the date they were issued.
  • P-EBT food benefits do not affect the ‘public charge’ status for a non-citizen household.
  • Clients cannot apply to receive P-EBT food benefits.
  • Clients can call the State’s information line at 888-328-6399 to check the P-EBT food benefits balance on their card or to select a PIN for their CBIC.
  • Callers can also check the balance of their P-EBT food benefits by visiting www.connnectebt.com
  • P-EBT benefits received do not need to be paid back.
  • Households can get P-EBT food benefits and still participate in school district “grab-and-go” curbside meal pick-up/delivery, where available.
  • Clients who receive P-EBT food benefits are not eligible for a State fair hearing regarding the benefit.
 
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.

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. Note that P-EBT benefits are not visible to HRA staff, even for recipients of Cash Assistance or SNAP.
 
Eligible children currently receiving SNAP or Cash Assistance will have their P-EBT benefits issued to their household’s EBT card. Eligible children currently enrolled in Medicaid who successfully accessed and redeemed their P-EBT benefits for the 2019-20 school year on a NYS Medicaid card will receive their P-EBT benefits for the 2020-21 school year on the same NYS Medicaid card. Eligible children who successfully accessed their food benefits for the 2019-20 school year on a P-EBT Food Benefit card will receive their P-EBT benefits for the 2020-21 school year on the same P-EBT Food Benefit card.
 
All other eligible children will be mailed a P-EBT Food Benefit card with instructions explaining how to activate the card and access the food benefits.
 
If the NYS Medicaid card or P-EBT Food Benefit card used to access P-EBT benefits for the 2019-20 school year has been lost, stolen, or damaged, you will need to order a replacement card. You can order a replacement P-EBT Food Benefit card by calling 1-888-328-6399. 
 
If the cardholder receives Medicaid through the NY State of Health: Health Plan Marketplace, they can order a replacement NYS Medicaid Card by calling 1-855-355-5777.
 
If the cardholder receives Medicaid through their local Department of Social Services, they can order a replacement NYS Medicaid Card by calling 1-888-328-6399.
 
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions can be found here.
 
SNAP Emergency Allotments
 
As it has in previous months, the State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) is issuing an emergency SNAP supplement to households who were issued SNAP benefits for June 2021. SNAP Emergency Allotments (maximum allotment for household size or $95, whichever is greater), will continue to be issued to SNAP households as long as the State’s emergency declaration and the national public health emergency remain in effect. Further information is available here. 
 
Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) Application Updates
 
As a reminder, as required by the State, all clients must have applied for and received a State determination on ERAP before rental arrears can be paid as a One-Shot-Deal or with CityFHEPS. 
 
ERAP payments are not countable as income or as a resource for Cash Assistance, SNAP or HEAP eligibility or for budgeting purposes. For recipients who are granted ERAP benefits for prospective (future) rent, these payments will cover the difference between the Cash Assistance Shelter Allowance grant and the monthly shelter cost.
 
State OTDA has advised us that the ability to “save and resume” an ERAP application has temporarily been taken offline. As a result, households that have started but not completed an application cannot resume the stored application and complete it. This functionality will likely remain unavailable for a few weeks. For now, individuals who have started and saved an application, but not completed it, are directed to resubmit a new application. Those who completed all questions, agreed to the tenant certification and signed the online application are considered to have submitted the application and can upload required documentation at any time. 
 
State OTDA’s vendor will contact individuals who have started an ERAP application but not submitted a complete application to inform them of the need to begin and complete a new application. 
 
Please continue to encourage those who may be eligible to apply, and please remember that help is available for landlords and tenants across the City through a network of community-based organizations: https://nyc.gov/erap. Questions can also be answered via the State’s ERAP call center: 844-NY1RENT (844-691-7368) or the hearing-impaired TTY phone number: 1-833-843-8829.
 
Return to Shelter
 
On May 27, 2021, DHS communicated with clients to prepare them for the return to congregate shelter from the temporary relocation hotels, and on June, 17, 2021 DHS received updated NYS OTDA guidance on resumed operations of congregate shelters. DHS is now moving forward with the return to shelter. We began reaching out to the first group of clients and providers about the first moves on Thursday, June 17th and will begin moving the first group of clients on Tuesday, June 22, 2021. We expect the transition back to congregate shelter to be complete by the end of July.
 
Child Tax Credit (CTC)
 
The IRS has launched a Child Tax Credit Non-Filer tool which families can use to register for the advance payments of the Child Tax Credit. The tool can also be used to claim any amount owed to filers from the first and second federal stimulus payments and to claim a third stimulus payment. This tool is available only to those without a requirement to file federal taxes. Filers are required to file a return if their 2020 adjusted gross income exceeds $12,400 for individual filers and $24,800 for married filers filing jointly. Before using the tool, filers should be prepared with several pieces of identifying information. A link to the online tool can be found here. Additional information about using the tool can be found on the IRS website here. 
 
NOTE: Filers who use this method may miss out on other valuable tax credits for which they may be eligible that can only be accessed through filing a federal return, including the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child and Dependent Care Credit. Individuals can file taxes for free with NYC Free Tax Prep. Visit nyc.gov/taxprep or call 311 and ask for “tax preparation assistance” to learn more about tax prep services.
 
The fastest way to get the Child Tax Credit is by direct deposit to a bank account. Families can visit the NYC Financial Empowerment Centers for free help setting up a bank account. To set up an appointment, visit nyc.gov/talkmoney or call 311 and ask for “financial counseling”.
 
On July 15, 2021, the IRS will begin making advance payments of the Child Tax Credit payments of either $300 (children under 6 yrs) or $250 (children ages 6 to 17) per child. For a full schedule of payments, see When will the IRS begin issuing the advance Child Tax Credit?
 
Below is information to help determine who should be using the Non-Filer Tool:
 
Use this tool to report qualifying children born before 2021 for anyone who:
  • Is not required to file a 2020 tax return, did not file one and does not plan to; and
  • Has a main home in the United States for more than half of the year.

Those who did not get the full amounts of the first and second Economic Impact Payment can use this tool if:
  • They are not required to file a 2020 tax return, did not file one and do not plan to, and
  • Want to claim the 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit and get the third Economic Impact Payment.

Do not use this tool for anyone who:
  • Filed or plans to file a 2020 tax return; or
  • Claimed all dependents on a 2019 tax return, including by reporting their information in 2020 using the Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info Here tool; or
  • Was married at the end of 2020 unless they used the tool with their spouse and included the spouse’s information; or
  • Is a resident of a U.S. territory; or
  • Does not have a main home in the United States for more than half the year, and, for those who are married, their spouse does not have a main home in the United States for more than half the year; or
  • Does not have a qualifying child who was born before 2021 and had a Social Security number issued before May 17, 2021.
 
Medicaid Renewals Extended
 
All Medicaid cases with authorizations ending in July – December 2020 and January –September 2021 are automatically extended for 12 months. 

Proposed Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Categorical Eligibility Rule Withdrawal
 
The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is withdrawing the proposed rule titled Revision of Categorical Eligibility in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) that was published in the Federal Register on July 24, 2019. This rule would have limited significantly the ability of states and local social services districts like NYC to grant categorical eligibility for SNAP based on receipt of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits. Specifically, the proposed rule would have limited the type of TANF “benefits” that could be used to grant categorical eligibility to “ongoing” and “substantial” benefits. The proposed rule defined “ongoing” benefits as those that a household receives or is authorized to receive for a period of at least six months and “substantial” benefits as those valued at a minimum of $50 per month. The proposed rule also limited the types of non-cash TANF benefits that could be used to grant categorical eligibility to those that focus on subsidized employment, work supports, and childcare. Finally, the proposed rule would have required state agencies to inform FNS of all non-cash TANF benefits that confer categorical eligibility. The proposed rule would have cost $2.314 billion in administrative expenses between 2019-2023 and resulted in 3.1 million individuals in 1.7 million households losing SNAP eligibility in Fiscal Year 2020.
 
New Pilot Program for SNAP Access for New Yorkers Being Released from State Prisons
 
HRA has received requested waivers from the State OTDA and the USDA allowing individuals incarcerated in State prisons to begin the benefits application process while incarcerated, including conducting application interviews, which is currently prohibited by New York State regulation. This common-sense reform, which the State is allowing us to implement at two State prisons (Queensboro Correctional Facility and Edgecombe Residential Treatment), will ensure individuals who were formerly incarcerated are better supported as they re-enter society. Individuals leaving State prisons will now be able to connect with the benefits they need pre-release, such as food assistance, rather than having to first begin the application process after release. This pilot was developed in partnership with the National Executive Council (NEC) at Columbia University’s Center for Justice and the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. HRA will continue its work with the NEC during the implementation of the pilot.
 
Primary Elections and Ranked Choice Voting
 
The NYC primary election is being held on June 22nd. The City is helping get out information on ranked choice voting (RCV) and is asking for your help in sharing critical information on this process with members of your community. Please reference the voter guide, digital toolkit, and printable outreach materials, Materials can be ordered by email at democracynyc@cityhall.nyc.gov.
 

If you have any questions about this effort, please contact DemocracyNYC, via e-mail at democracynyc@cityhall.nyc.gov.
 
IDNYC Updates
 
The following IDNYC sites are currently open:
 
Brooklyn Business Center – Department of Finance (DOF)
210 Joralemon Street, first floor
Brooklyn 11201
 
Brooklyn Public Library Central Branch
10 Grand Army Plaza, first floor
Brooklyn, 11238
 
Pope Francis
345 43rd Street
Brooklyn 11232
 
Henry Street Settlement (Manhattan pop-up site open until September 2, 2021)
269 Henry Street
Manhattan 10002
 
HRA Waverly Center
12 West 14th Street, second floor
Manhattan 10011
 
Bronx Business Center – DOF
3030 Third Avenue, second floor
Bronx 10455
 
Queens Borough President’s Office (Queens pop-up site open until August 26, 2021)
120-55 Queens Boulevard
Jamaica 11424
 
Staten Island SNAP Center (Staten Island pop-up site open through July 2021)
201 Bay Street, second floor
Staten Island 10301
 
Appointments are required and can only be booked online as follows:
  • Go to www.nyc.gov/idnyc
  • Click on the Click here for IDNYC updates related to COVID-19 banner
  • Click on COVID-19 related questions link
  • Click the Online Portal link
  • Select “Make an Appointment” and follow the onscreen instructions to renew your card online.
  • Additional enrollment centers will become available in early July. Please check availability periodically on our website. 

Community-wide Conference Call
 
We appreciate your continued participation on 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. 
 
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