March 29, 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
COVID-19 vaccine eligibility has now been expanded to include:
- Individuals age 50 and over
- All government and public employees
- Not-for-profit workers who provide public-facing services to New Yorkers in need
- Essential in-person public-facing building service workers (does not include workers at construction sites).
For more information, including the latest information on vaccine eligibility, visit nyc.gov/covid19vaccine or use the ‘Am I Eligible’ online tool to help determine eligibility and schedule a vaccine appointment.
Immediate Appointments are available for New Yorkers age 85 and up. To ensure ease of access for our oldest New York City residents who may have challenges using the telephonic or online vaccine scheduler, the City now offers immediate appointments to New Yorkers aged 85 or older at three vaccination sites. New Yorkers aged 85 or older can arrive at any of these sites to receive immediate appointments:
- Bathgate Contract Postal Station: 4006 3rd Avenue, Bronx, NY 10457 (Moderna)
- Brooklyn Army Terminal: 140 58th St, Brooklyn, NY 11220 (Moderna)
- Citi Field: 36-2 126th St, Flushing, NY 11368 (Pfizer)
All three sites are open seven days a week, 24 hours a day. In addition, one individual who is otherwise eligible for the vaccine may escort that 85+ New Yorker and also receive an immediate appointment.
Pharmacies have expanded vaccine distribution to include:
- Individuals age 60 and older
- P-12 school faculty and staff
- Childcare workers
- Those with eligible underlying conditions
In order to accommodate high school reopening, vaccine hubs located in high schools will be closing. Some will continue to offer second doses for some time. If a site is closing, those individuals scheduled for a second dose at that site will be automatically rescheduled and notified of the change via text, call, or email.
On Friday March 19 a new vaccination site opened at:
Bronx – Bay Eden Senior Center
1220 East 229th street
Bronx, NY 10466
The site will operate from 8 am – 7 pm daily. Eligible New Yorkers can schedule appointments by utilizing the ‘Am I Eligible’ website or by calling the State’s COVID-19 Vaccination Hotline at 833-NYS-4-VAX (833-697-4829).
A new NYCHA residents-only vaccine site has opened at Johnson Community Center (1833 Lexington Ave. between 112th and 115th Streets.), a partnership between NYCHA and NYC Health + Hospitals. The site is open every Thursday-Sunday from now through 6/20, 8 am - 6 pm. All NYCHA residents eligible for the vaccine can make an appointment by calling 332-240-3330. You should bring to your appointment: a government-issued photo ID, proof of eligibility for the vaccine, and proof of NYCHA residency. You can see current vaccine eligibility criteria here.
Eligible veterans who are enrolled in VA Healthcare can receive vaccinations at VA New York Harbor at various locations. Call 877-877-9267 or click here for a list of locations and to learn more.
As a reminder, other than the over 85 sites, prior appointments are required at all vaccination locations in order to be vaccinated. Please visit the NYC COVID-19 Vaccine Finder or call 877-VAX-4NYC (877-829-4692) for more information, to find a vaccine hub near you, or to schedule an appointment. The NYC Vaccine Finder site now shows available first-dose appointments at Duane Reade and Walgreens pharmacies for eligible groups.
COVID Information Resources
The City has created a LET’S TALK COVID folder which will be updated on a regular basis with new content. There is a folder for each episode containing clips and a corresponding word doc with copy for each clip. We encourage you to review the episodes and clips and to pass the info along.
There is a NEW video where Dr. Jay Varma breaks down the “Path to Parties”: wear a mask, keep your distance, wash your hands, get tested, and get vaccinated when it’s your turn. The messaging is evergreen and it’s great for a general guidance, especially as we head into the Spring Break.
The video link and corresponding copy for the “Path to Parties” clip can be found in this folder.
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:
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“Take Care” packages which include enough personal protective equipment for a household of three to quarantine for 10-14 days. Learn more here.
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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.
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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.
Free COVID-19 Testing Sites
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, 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.
Employee Leave for Vaccines
Effective March 15, New York law grants public and private employees time off to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Under the new law, employees are granted up to four hours of excused leave per injection.
NY State of Health: Health Insurance Open Enrollment Period Extended
The NY State of Health 2021 Open Enrollment Period for New Yorkers to enroll in private health insurance has been extended through December 31, 2021. New Yorkers can apply for coverage directly through insurers or through NY State of Health, New York's official health plan marketplace. Applicants for NY State of Health can apply online at nystateofhealth.ny.gov or by phone at 1-855-355-5777.
New Yorkers can enroll in Medicaid, Child Health Plus and the Essential Plan all year round.
For New Yorkers currently enrolled in Medicaid, Child Health Plus or the Essential Plan and have a coverage end date of March 31, 2021, their coverage will be extended for an additional 12-month period. Visit the NY State of Health website for further information.
Through the American Rescue Plan recently signed by President Biden, enhanced tax credits will become available to many New Yorkers through the NY State of Health. Beginning in April, enhanced tax credits will be available for low- and moderate-income consumers (income up to $51,040 for individuals and $104,800 for a family of four — 400% of 2020 FPL) to lower the cost of qualified health plans. In addition, in June, the NY State of Health will update its system so that higher income consumers (income above $51,040 for individuals and $104,800 for a family of four) can access the federal tax credits. Consumers at these income levels were not previously eligible for tax credits.
The New York State of Health has a list of updates and fact sheets in various languages accessible here.
American Rescue Plan Payments Impact on Eligibility
Payments received through the following Rescue Plan provisions are excluded from consideration for HEAP, SNAP, and Cash Assistance benefits (including receipt of payments retroactively as a lump sum):
- Federal Pandemic Unemployment Benefits (FPUC) and the mixed earner benefit. Regular unemployment (UIB), including the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) which are for those who are ineligible for regular UIB, are subject to consideration for benefits eligibility.
- Recovery Rebates for Individuals (the $1,400 stimulus payment).
- Child Tax Credit payments.
In accordance with the most recent enacted stimulus legislation, the next round of federal stimulus payments will not be intercepted by the child support program, unlike the initial federal stimulus payment, which was intercepted.
Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) Target Populations
While all individuals meeting the federal eligibility criteria are welcome to apply for ERAP funds when the State portal is open, the federal government has prioritized the following groups (“priority populations”):
- Households with income below 50 percent of AMI; and
- Households with one or more individuals who are unemployed and have been unemployed for 90-days.
Within the federal priority groups, the City is targeting outreach, education and application assistance to the following populations (“target populations”):
- Households that have been sued in the Housing Court in New York City in or after June 2020;
- Households residing in small buildings (defined as buildings with 1 to 5 rental units); and
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Households in the neighborhoods identified by the NYC Taskforce on Racial Inclusion and Equity as areas that have experienced historic disparity and were hardest impacted by COVID. (list of these neighborhoods with zip codes can be found here).
Below is a list of the 33 City neighborhoods where there are concentrations of small buildings based on at least half of the residential land in the neighborhood being zoned for low density:
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Throgs Neck, Pelham Bay, Co-op City, Westchester Square, City Island Bronx 10461, 10464, 10465, 10475
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Soundview, Castle Hill, Union Port, Parkchester Bronx 10462, 10472, 10473
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Kingsbridge, Riverdale, Marble Hill, Fieldston Bronx 10463, 10471
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Williamsbridge, Baychester, Woodlawn, Wakefield, Eastchester Bronx 10466, 10470
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Morris Park, Pelham Parkway, Bronxdale, Van Nest, Laconia Bronx 10469
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Flatbush, Rugby, Farragut, Northeast Flatbush Brooklyn 11203
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Bensonhurst, Mapleton, Bath Beach, Gravesend Brooklyn 11204, 11214, 11223
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East New York, New Lots, City Line, Starrett City Brooklyn 11207, 11208, 11256, 11239
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Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Fort Hamilton Brooklyn 11209, 11252, 11228, 11425
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Flatbush, Ocean Parkway, Midwood Brooklyn 11210, 11226, 11230
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Borough Park, Ocean Parkway, Kensington Brooklyn 11218, 11219
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Coney Island, Brighton Beach, Gravesend, Homecrest, Seagate Brooklyn 11224
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Sheepshead Bay, Manhattan Beach, Kings Highway, Gravesend Brooklyn 11229, 11235
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Canarsie, Flatlands, Marine Park, Mill Basin, Bergen Beach Brooklyn 11234, 11236
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Laurelton, Cambria Heights, Queens Village, Glen Oaks Queens 11004, 11005, 11411, 11413, 11422, 11426, 11427, 11428, 11429
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Astoria, Long Island City Queens 11101, 11120, 11102, 11103, 11105, 11106
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Sunnyside, Woodside Queens 11104, 11109, 11377
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Flushing, Whitestone, College Point Queens 11351, 11354, 11352, 11355, 11356, 11357, 11358, 11359, 11360
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Bayside, Douglaston, Little Neck, Auburndale Queens 11361, 11362, 11363, 11364
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Fresh Meadows, Kew Gardens Hills, Jamaica Hills Queens 11365, 11366, 11367, 11431, 11432, 11439
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Elmhurst, Corona Queens 11368, 11373, 11380
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Jackson Heights, East Elmhurst, North Corona Queens 11369, 11370, 11371, 11372
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Rego Park, Forest Hills Queens 11374, 11375
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Maspeth, Middle Village, Ridgewood, Glendale Queens 11378, 11379, 11381, 11385, 11386
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Jamaica, South Jamaica, Hollis, St. Albans Queens 11412, 11423, 11405, 11433, 11434, 11435, 11436, 11451
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Howard Beach, Ozone Park, South Ozone Park Queens 11414, 11417, 11419, 11420, 11430, 11499
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Woodhaven, Richmond Hill, KewGardens Queens 11415, 11416, 11418, 11421, 11424
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The Rockaways, Broad Channel Queens11690, 11691, 11692, 11693, 11695,11694, 11697
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North Island, St. George, Stapleton Staten Island 10301, 10302, 10303, 10304, 10310
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Mid-Island, South Beach, Willowbrook Staten Island 10305, 10306, 10311, 10313, 10314
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South Island, Tottenville, Great Kills Staten Island 10307, 10308, 10309, 10312
Emergency Rental Assistance (ERAP) Outreach, Education and Application Assistance Request for Proposals (RFP)
In support of the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) the City is seeking to partner with one or more primary contractors in each borough to organize, manage and oversee a broad consortium of community-based organizations to effectively and efficiently carry out the City’s ERAP Outreach, Education & Application Assistance plan. There are two distinct components to this plan: Outreach and Education, and Application Assistance.
If you are interested in obtaining a copy of the Request for Proposals (RFP) for this solicitation, please visit to the Human Resources Administration’s website at: http://www.nyc.gov/hra/contracts.
The deadline to submit proposals, originally Friday, April 2, 2021, will be extended. A separate email communication will go out this week highlighting the new deadline. Completed proposals should be emailed to ACCOContractPlanning@dss.nyc.gov. Proposals received after the proposal due date and time are late and may not be accepted by the Agency except as provided under the New York City Procurement Policy Board Rules.
Receipt of proposals will be acknowledged. However, acceptance of a proposal by the City does not imply that a contract will be awarded. The City of New York accepts no responsibility for any cost incurred in the preparation or submission of proposals.
Emergency Rental Assistance (ERAP)/State FHEPS)
As we reported previously, the State OTDA has granted our request for a waiver of the eviction proceeding requirement for State FHEPS eligibility. This waiver is granted through May 1, 2021 or until the eviction moratorium has been lifted.
Updates on State FHEPS:
- Pursuant to State waiver, an eviction proceeding is not required for FHEPS eligibility.
- The State Hardship Declaration along with a rent demand or other written threat of eviction can be used in lieu of an eviction proceeding for FHEPS eligibility.
- The extenuating circumstances requirement, to permit arrears in excess of $9,000, is fulfilled by the Hardship Declaration.
- A Policy bulletin has been shared with staff providing guidance on these updated rules.
Updates on ERAP:
- Federal ERAP payments for rental arrears will not impact State FHEPS eligibility. If rent arrears are covered by ERAP, clients may still be eligible for ongoing FHEPS rental supplement.
Hardship declaration forms are available to download in 20 languages on the New York Courts website at http://nycourts.gov/EEFPA.
Assistance Submitting Eviction Moratorium Hardship Forms
Recertification Extension Waiver – April – June 2021
As we reported last week, we have received approval for April, May, and June 2021 extensions for Cash Assistance and SNAP recertifications for clients who have not previously received an extension and have pushed forward those cases. There will be no negative actions taken for failing to return the SNAP periodic reports due between January 1 and June 30, 2021. The State previously indicated that for the CA clients, the six-month mailer would be due beginning on April 1, 2021. We have gone back to the State and they have agreed to revisit this issue and get back to us. We will provide an update as soon as we have one.
As a reminder, any client who receives a notification that they are required to recertify must do so. Beginning with December 2020 extensions, clients are receiving notices that their recertification was extended. These notices are available in ACCESS HRA and in the Provider Portal.
Public Charge
On March 9, the Supreme Court agreed to the Biden administration’s request to dismiss the pending case challenging the new public charge rule which had been issued by the Trump Administration. With this new development, the public charge rule is now blocked nationwide.
“Pay It Off” Extended Through April – Child Support Debt Reduction
The Pay It Off Child Support Debt Reduction Program began on March 1 and was originally scheduled to run through March 31 — we have now extended the program through April 30. Pay It Off allows noncustodial parents to reduce their child support debt owed to the New York City Department of Social Services (NYC DSS) twice as fast. For this limited time, noncustodial parents can get qualified payments matched dollar for dollar.
More information can be found at nyc.gov/payitoff for details. We have also created a brief informational video for the program here.
How Pay It Off Works
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Noncustodial parents sign the Pay It Off Agreement and send it in with a copy of their photo I.D. before or on April 30, 2021. They can return it by EMAIL TO: dcse.cseweb@dfa.state.ny.us. or by MAIL TO: Office of Child Support Services, Pay It Off , PO Box 830, Canal Street Station, New York, NY 10013
2. Between March 1 and April 30, 2021, noncustodial parents:
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Make one or more payments that total at least $200 toward their child support debt permanently owed to the New York City Department of Social Services (NYC DSS) under federal and State law. If they have a current child support order, only payments above their court-ordered monthly amount can be applied toward NYC DSS child support debt for a payment match.
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Pay by online payment system, certified check, personal check, money order, credit card, or debit card.
- Get their qualified payment(s) of at least $200 matched dollar for dollar, up to the amount they permanently owe NYC DSS. HRA’s Office of Child Support Services (OCSS) will send them a summary of actions taken 4 to 5 weeks later.
3. Non-custodial parents who enroll in Pay It Off can find out if they are eligible for additional reductions to their NYC DSS child support debt, including a one-time sign-on reduction of up to $1,000 and the potential to get up to $5,000 reduced if they qualify for the Arrears Credit Program. The Arrears Credit Program Agreement can be downloaded at nyc.gov/ocss-debt-reduction.
This flyer explains what forms of payment we accept and how to pay.
The OCSS Customer Service Office is closed and cannot be directly reached by telephone. If a client wants to speak with an OCSS staff member, they can request a telephone appointment by sending an email to dcse.cseweb@dfa.state.ny.us. Clients should include their case number, contact information, and, in the subject line, the reason for their inquiry or that they are “requesting a customer service appointment.” If their request for a telephone appointment is about the Pay It Off program, clients should write “Pay It Off” in the subject line of their email. Updates can be found at our website at www.nyc.gov/hra/ocss.
Clients can also call the New York State Child Support Helpline at 1-888-208-4485 (TTY: 1-866-875-9975), Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–7:00 PM, to request a call back from their local child support office.
Grab and Go Meals
Select Grab and Go meal locations will be open during Spring Recess on Monday, March 29, 2021 - Friday, April 02, 2021 from 12pm-3pm.
Throughout Ramadan, the number of Halal meals at 32 Grab & Go sites across all five boroughs will be increased. In addition to this increase at the 32 sites, all 400+ sites will continue to serve Halal and vegetarian meals. Learn more about pickup times and locations here.
Health Bucks and Get the Good Stuff Expansion
The City has received a $5.5 million federal grant through the Fund for Public Health NYC to help increase access to nutritious foods. With the Health Department and its partners contributing matching funds, this represents an $11 million investment which will provide the following:
- Farmers Market customers will receive $2 in Health Bucks for every $2 spent in SNAP benefits, up to $10 in Health Bucks per day representing a doubling of the current purchasing power ($2 for every $5 spent).
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New York City’s innovative grocery store-based fruit and vegetable incentive program, Get the Good Stuff, will be expanded to additional stores.
Food Retail Expansion to Support Health (FRESH) Program Expansion
On March 15, the City Council and the Department of City Planning (DCP) announced a partnership to update and expand the Food Retail Expansion to Support Health (FRESH) program, which uses a zoning incentive to bring convenient, accessible grocery stores to underserved neighborhoods and New Yorkers. The FRESH zoning incentive will be expanded to 11 additional lower-income Community Districts throughout the City (including Staten Island for the first time), on top of the 19 districts where it already applies. You can learn more here.
Update to FCC Federal Emergency Broadband Benefit
The Federal Communications Commission is mobilizing people and organizations to help share important consumer information about the Emergency Broadband Benefit. Those who are interested in becoming an outreach partner can fill out and submit the form here.
IRS and New York State Tax Deadline
The IRS and New York State have extended the deadline for filing of federal and state tax returns until May 17, 2021.
Application Period for 3-K and Pre-K
Applications for 3-K and Pre-K spots for the 2021-22 school year opened on Wednesday, February 24. All families with children born in 2017 can apply for pre-K until April 7. Families in every school district meeting the income requirements can apply for free or low-cost Pre-K and 3-K programs.
Applications for 3-K for All have been extended to May 28th. Programs in new school districts will be added to the applications as options for families in April and May. Families can visit nyc.gov/3k to sign up to receive email updates when new programs are added, and to learn how to create a MySchools account to explore and apply to 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.
Summer Youth Employment
The Summer Youth Employment Program has re-opened for 2021 and is accepting applications for young people, ages 14 -19. The deadline to apply is April 23, 2021.
- Participants will be paid weekly at the New York State minimum wage of $15.00 an hour and may work up to 25 hours per week for six weeks in July and August.
- Jobs may be in-person, remote or a hybrid of both.
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To apply to the program, applicants can visit www.nyc.gov/dycd and follow the links to fill out the application online or download a paper copy. Paper applications can also be obtained from one of the community-based organizations or providers operating the program. A complete list of authorized SYEP providers can be found on the DYCD website (www.nyc.gov./dycd).
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Organizations interested in being a worksite and employing youth should fill out this form to sign up.
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
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