November 15, 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 on our DSS COVID-19 Community Updates page. We encourage you to use and share this link to answer questions on the many topics we have covered during the pandemic.
To be added to the invitations for the weekly briefing calls or to the distribution list for this weekly update, please send an email request to dssoutreach@dss.nyc.gov.
We appreciate your ongoing participation in these calls and continuing to raise important issues that we are able to address in this weekly communication of the latest information, which you can share with the clients you serve. We welcome your continued questions and comments in order to help us make sure we are providing the most relevant information and clarifications about the evolving public benefits and government services landscape affecting our shared clients.
COVID-19 Vaccination Information
As a reminder the Pfizer vaccine is now approved and available for children 5-11 years old in NYC. Children must have a parent or guardian's consent to get the vaccine.
The $100 individual incentive is available to children who get vaccinated. Children may use a parent's email address to redeem their visa gift card. Organizations participating in the $100 Vaccine Referral Bonus program are also able to get the $100 incentive per child they refer to get vaccinated. See more information at nyc.gov/vaccineincentive.
On Tuesday, November 9, Governor Kathy Hochul announced the "Vaccinate. Educate. Graduate" vaccine incentive for children. The incentive enables any child in the 5 to 11 age group who gets vaccinated to enter into a pool in which the state will select 50 names of children who will receive a full ride to a SUNY or CUNY institution for college, including tuition, fees, and room and board. Parents and guardians of 5- to 11-year-olds who receive their first vaccine dose by December 19 can enter into the random drawing here. The winners will be announced during the course of five weeks, starting on Nov. 22. More information is available here.
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Vaccination sites can be found at nyc.gov/vaccinefinder or by calling 877-VAX4-NYC. New Yorkers can also text their ZIP code to 438829 to receive information on vaccination sites near them, including what age groups can be served at each site.
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There are temporary sites in over 1,000 schools as of Monday, November 8th. Sites at schools can be found on the DOE website. At this time, there are no plans to administer second vaccine doses at schools. Children must get their second vaccine three weeks after their first shot, and can do so at any participating provider.
For more information about vaccines and the vaccines for children, families can go to nyc.gov/covidvaccine and see this FAQ, or call 212-COVID19 with questions about the vaccine.
The NYC vaccine referral bonus program continues to be available to small businesses, restaurants, and civic organizations, including community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, and Parent-Teacher Associations. These are all eligible to receive a $100 vaccine referral bonus for each employee or customer who they refer to a City-run vaccine site for their first shot. The referred individual is still eligible to receive their own $100 bonus. To sign up for the program, businesses and organizations should use the same form we have previously shared, available here.
The City has created a vaccine fact sheet which can be found here, and is available in additional languages here.
Walk-up vaccines are available at most City-operated vaccination sites. To find the nearest walk-up site, or to schedule an appointment at a City-operated site, visit vaccinefinder.nyc.gov. NYC Mobile Vaccine Buses continue to provide vaccines. The full schedule of mobile vaccine locations can be found online here.
Flu vaccines are available at City-operated vaccination sites and can be administered at the same time as the COVID-19 vaccine. Locations can be found at the NYC Vaccine Finder website.
Vaccination and Testing Apps
- CDC Vaccination Card. A digital photo or photocopy of this card is also acceptable.
- NYC Vaccination Record or other official immunization record, including from a health care provider. A digital photo or photocopy of this card is also acceptable. If you are unable to get this record, call 311.
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NYC COVID Safe App. Android. iOS. This app can be used to upload a photo of a vaccine card and/or a recent COVID test. The vaccine card will stay on the app unless removed, but test results will disappear from the app after seven days.
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CLEAR Health Pass. Android. iOS. Individuals can use the digital vaccine card option in the CLEAR app if they are age 18 or older and are fully vaccinated.
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NYS Excelsior Pass (or Excelsior Pass Plus). Allows an individual to find and store proof of vaccination right on their phone with a QR code, or to print out their QR code instead. New York residents who were vaccinated out of State can learn more about their options at the Excelsior Pass FAQ . The app, called NYS Excelsior Pass Wallet, is available for download on iPhone and Android phones.
Vaccine Records
Individuals who are fully vaccinated but have lost their COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card or need verification of their vaccine status can request a copy of their COVID-19 vaccination record. Individuals cannot get a replacement COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card at this time, but can get an official record noting they have been vaccinated. For more information and to submit a request visit: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/services/cir-parents-guardians.page
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.
City Hall in Your Borough Brooklyn Resource Fair
On Tuesday, November 16th, City Hall will host a resource fair at the Madison Square Boys & Girls Club, 240 Nassau Street in Brooklyn from 2:00pm- 6:00pm. Meet with City commissioners and senior staff to address all your questions and concerns, including quality of life, public health, safety, and much more. Vaccinations will be available on site.
HRA Center Re-openings – St. Nicholas Job Center -- Clarification
The St. Nicholas Job Center located at 132 West 125th Street in Manhattan is only open for staff at this time and is not yet ready for clients. We apologize for any inconvenience our prior communication about this site may have caused. Please refer to our website for up-to-date information regarding open HRA centers at https://www1.nyc.gov/site/hra/locations/locations.page
NYS Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) Program Updates
State OTDA has announced that the total requests for ERAP assistance exceed the available federal funding for the program. State OTDA has further announced that the OTDA ERAP portal has closed as of November 14 at 10 pm and will not be accepting new applications at this time, with the exception of applicants with income between 80% - 120% of Area Median Income (AMI) for whom assistance will be paid funds. The Governor and OTDA have requested additional federal funding to meet the continuing need for help for tenants and landlords.
ERAP applications submitted prior to November 14, 2021 will be reviewed by the State OTDA and payment will depend on the availability of funds. New applications continue to be accepted for tenants with income between 80% and 120% of AMI and assistance is provided with State funds.
For landlords applying for LRAP where a tenant has declined to apply for ERAP or has vacated with arrears, applications will continue to be accepted for LRAP through November 20, 2021. There is no guarantee that applications will be funded as LRAP funds are fully committed. LRAP applications can be submitted at https://otda.ny.gov/programs/landlord-rental-assistance/.
As a reminder, ERAP is not administered by DSS/HRA. The OTDA call center can assist anyone who has questions about ERAP. The call center operates 7 days a week from 8 am – 7 pm. The numbers for the call center are listed below:
1-844-NY1-RENT (1-844-691-7368)
Individuals with a hearing impairment can call 1-833-843-8829 (TTY phone number).
ERAP Determinations for One-Shot Deal/Emergency Assistance Applications
In accordance with this State OTDA’s determination, as of Monday, November 15, 2021 an ERAP application and determination is no longer required to apply for a One-Shot Deal. Those who applied for ERAP before the portal closed on November 14, 2021 will need to provide proof of submission of an ERAP application and determination with an application for emergency assistance, in accordance with State requirements.
Medicaid Easements
Medicaid easements have been extended through January 2021. This includes the automatic extension for cases with an authorization that ends between through January 2021, even if the client does not submit their renewal. These cases will be extended for 12 months.
Pandemic EBT (P-EBT)
As a reminder, Pandemic EBT is distributed by the State OTDA. The State provides a list of New York State schools and their distribution status for P-EBT. This page allows New Yorkers to look up the P-EBT issuance status for NYC schools online. The timeframe for when State OTDA issues these food assistance benefits is based on a variety of factors including the volume and nature of the data submitted by schools and the rate at which this information can be processed, and benefits issued.
Children who receive free school lunches through the National School Lunch Program are eligible for P-EBT food benefits if their school operated with reduced in-person attendance due to COVID-19 during the 2020-21 school year. This includes children who attend Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) schools and any private, prekindergarten, parochial and charter schools that participate in the National School Lunch Program. Those with questions concerning their child/children's participation in the National School Lunch Program should contact the school or school district.
The State OTDA will automatically issue P-EBT food benefits to eligible children, so no application is available or necessary.
Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Increase Details
In response to questions received on our most recent weekly community call, we are providing a recap below of information previously shared on the recent SNAP increase approved by the Biden Administration; the SNAP Emergency Allotment; and the SNAP Supplement.
Emergency Allotments:
In March 2020, SNAP benefits began being supplemented with emergency allotments each month, so that households that were not receiving the maximum benefit for their household size began receiving a supplement to bring them to that level it. In April 2021, the emergency allotment amounts were modified so that the minimum monthly SNAP emergency allotment was $95, even for households already receiving the maximum benefit allotment. Households that previously would have received a supplement of less than $95 began receiving a supplement of at least $95. For households receiving a supplement of greater than $95, this policy change did not affect the amount of the supplement received. For households receiving supplements greater than $95, the supplement continued to be the difference between the amount the household was issued and the maximum benefit amount for the household size.
As an example, if the maximum allotment for a household is $430 and the household received $370, the supplement is $95 rather than $60 (as it would have been earlier during the pandemic). But if the maximum allotment for the household is $430 and the household received $320, the supplement remains at $110.
These emergency allotments are scheduled to continue for one month beyond the end of the federal public health emergency. The public health emergency is currently set to end in January 2022.
The emergency SNAP supplement is being issued to households even if their SNAP case closed during the month of issuance. Further information is available here.
SNAP benefit temporary increase:
Beginning in January 2021, the maximum SNAP benefit amount was increased temporarily by 15%, and this temporary increase expired on September 30, 2021.
Permanent SNAP increase:
Effective October 1, 2021, permanent changes to the Thrifty Food Plan (that the US Department of Agriculture uses to calculate SNAP benefits) went into effect, resulting in a sizeable increase in the maximum benefit amounts by household size.
The 15% temporary increase ended at the end of September. Until the emergency allotments end (these are being extended monthly and are expected to end one month after the end of the declaration of the Public Health Emergency which was recently extended to January 15, 2022) both emergency allotments and the permanent SNAP increase will be in effect. After the emergency allotments are no longer being issued, the permanent SNAP increase will remain in effect. For some individuals and families, the continuing increase may be less than the temporary increase coupled with the maximum allotment amount that was received during the pandemic.
Please refer to this chart for additional details about the federal changes.
Updated SNAP Standards:
The updated SNAP standards that went into effect on October 1, 2021 can be found here.
The new Federal Poverty Limit (FPL) thresholds effective October 1, 2021 can be found at the end of this communication.
Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) Regular Arrears Supplement (RAS)
As we have reported previously, the State HEAP RAS is a one-time benefit funded with the HEAP appropriation received under the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. This benefit is available to help pay gas and/or electricity utility arrears and will be available through September 30, 2022 or until funding is exhausted, whichever occurs first.
The application for the State HEAP Regular Arrears Supplement (RAS) is the regular HEAP application in conjunction with the HEAP RAS worksheet. The RAS worksheet is completed by HRA staff. Clients who apply for regular HEAP benefits for the 2021/22 season will receive a phone interview. The RAS worksheet will be completed at that time.
Applicants are required to complete the regular HEAP application (and the RAS worksheet which will be completed during their interview) under any one of the following circumstances:
- Did not receive a regular HEAP benefit this season (2021/22 HEAP season);
- Moved since receiving their HEAP benefit;
- Closed Cash Assistance or SNAP case since receiving regular HEAP benefit.
These applicants must first complete a new HEAP application and be found HEAP eligible in order to receive the RAS benefit.
Clients who need to submit an application for HEAP can do so as follows:
- Apply in-person at one of the 6 designated HRA Job Centers or 4 community assistance sites (please see HEAP Application Assistance section below);
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Download an application here or call 212-331-3126 to request an application.
- Mail a completed LDSS-3421 to NYC DSS/HRA/HEAP; PO Box 1401, Church Street Station New York, NY 10008
- Drop off a completed LDSS-3421 at any HRA Job Center.
HEAP applicants will be required to have an interview, which, due to COVID-19 restrictions, will be conducted by telephone. Applicants will receive a call from an HRA worker to conduct the eligibility interview for HEAP and RAS, if also applying for RAS. Existing HEAP recipients (those with an open HEAP, CA or SNAP case, who haven’t moved) applying for RAS do not need to have a telephone interview; they just need an HRA worker to complete an RAS worksheet for them.
The one-time benefit is based on the actual amount of current utility arrears, up to a maximum of $10,000 per applicant household. Benefits are paid directly to the household’s gas and/or electric utility vendor(s), and only one RAS benefit per current electricity and/or gas account is permitted.
Households may be eligible if:
- Heat is natural gas or electricity;
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Income is at or below the current income guidelines as posted in this table or the applicant receives Family Assistance, Safety Net Assistance, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP) or Code A Supplemental Security Income;
- All of the eligibility criteria to receive a Regular HEAP benefit in the current program year has been met;
- The applicant must be the customer of record for the electricity and/or gas account(s), or must document that they pay the utility vendor(s) directly for the bill(s);
- The vendor is paid directly for gas and/or electricity usage; and
- The current gas and/or electricity account(s) is/are in active collection, or otherwise facing disconnection or termination due to unpaid arrears.
Note that there is no resource test for the RAS benefit and arrears for domestic electricity do not have to be heat related. When and why the arrears accrued will not impact eligibility. The RAS can be awarded for both an electricity and a gas account for a single household.
Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) Eligibility
In response to questions received on our most recent weekly call, below is a recap of information previously provided on HEAP eligibility:
Recipients of HEAP benefits may receive one regular HEAP benefit per program year to help pay for heating costs. Eligibility and benefits are based on income, household size, the primary heating source, and the presence of a household member who is under age 6, is age 60 or older or has a permanent disability. Regular benefits for households that pay directly for heat based on actual usage are paid directly to the vendor that supplies the household's primary source of heat. HEAP recipients can use HEAP approval letters as documentation to support Con Ed reduced rate programs and Verizon Lifeline.
A household may be eligible for a regular benefit if:
- Clients and/or household members are United States Citizens or qualified immigrants;
- The household's gross monthly income is at or below the current income guides; or
- The applicant is in receipt of:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or
- Temporary Assistance or
- Code A Supplemental Security Income (SSI Living Alone)
To apply, please contact 212-331-3126 or visit the ACCESS HRA website for instructions here. HEAP applications are available for download here. Please note, the HEAP application can be downloaded from ACCESS HRA, but cannot be submitted through ACCESS HRA at this time. All HEAP applications need to be completed, signed by the applicant or their authorized representative and returned by mail or dropped off at a designated HEAP assistance location. There is no need to come into a Center. The completed application can be mailed back to HRA at:
NYC DSS/HRA/HEAP
PO Box 1401
Church Street Station
New York, NY 10008
Applicants can check on the status of a HEAP application by calling the State OTDA Helpline at 800-342-3009.
HEAP Application Assistance
While there is no need to come into an HRA Center to apply for HEAP, HRA has representatives providing HEAP application assistance to potential clients in six designated HRA Job Centers and in four community sites. These representatives provide assistance with completing applications and will forward applications to the HEAP central office for processing. Individuals applying for benefits can also drop off applications and documents at these locations.
The designated HRA sites are listed below (open Monday – Friday 9 am – 5 pm, with the exception of City holidays):
Waverly Job Center
12 W. 14th Street
4th floor
New York, NY 10011
Coney Island Job Center
3050 West 21st Street
Brooklyn, NY 11214
Rider Job Center
300 Canal Place
Bronx, NY 10451
Crotona Job Center
1910 Monterey Avenue
5th floor
Bronx, NY 10457
Queens Job Center
32-20 Northern Boulevard
(enter on Honeywell Street)
2nd floor
Long Island City, NY 11101
Richmond Job Center
201 Bay Street
2nd floor
Staten Island, NY 10301
HRA representatives are also located in the following community locations:
Boro Park Jewish Community Council (Tuesdays and Wednesdays 9 am – 5 pm)
1310 46th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11219
Margert Community Council (Mondays 9 am – 5 pm)
325 Beach 37th
Far Rockaway, NY 11691
Assemblyman Ron Kim's Office (Wednesdays and Thursdays 9 am – 5 pm)
136-20 38th Avenue, Suite 10A
Queens, NY 11354
State Senator Leroy Comrie's Office (Tuesdays and Thursdays 9 am – 5 pm)
113-14 Farmer's Boulevard
Queens, NY 11412
Emergency Assistance for Families (EAF) Eligibility
In response to questions received on our weekly community call, below we have outlined eligibility criteria for Emergency Assistance for Families (EAF). EAF is a federally-funded program dedicated to meeting the emergency needs of families with children. The emergency situation must be a result of a sudden occurrence or set of circumstances requiring immediate attention. Those claiming an emergency need must have a same-day interview.
Applicants who need emergency assistance for shelter arrears or utility arrears may be eligible for a benefit payment.
- The applicant household must contain EITHER
- An individual with a medically verified pregnancy;
- OR a child under the age of 18;
- OR an individual age 18 and attending full-time secondary school or the equivalent level of vocational or technical training
- The child must be currently living with an adult related by blood, marriage, or adoption
- The child, parents, or other eligible relatives must be without immediately accessible resources necessary for meeting their needs, and those needs cannot be met by an advance allowance
- The child must be requiring emergency assistance to provide living arrangements for them in a home
- The emergency could not have been foreseen by the applicant and was not under their control
Financial Eligibility for EAF
- Gross available income of the applicant on the date of application must be at or below 200% of the poverty level for that household size
- These standards DO NOT apply to households receiving child protective, child preventative, or any other child welfare services paid for under EAF (such households must, however, include one member in receipt of CA or SSI and/or SSP at the time of EAF determination)
- The applicant must be without the resources to meet the emergency need (income, money on hand, bank accounts, etc.)
Applying for an Emergency Grant (One-Shot Deal)
Below are instructions for applying for Cash Assistance/Emergency Grants (One-Shot Deal) through ACCESS HRA. We encourage providers and advocates to sign up for an ACCESS HRA provider training webinar for additional information on using our online tools, including how to apply for an emergency grant (One-Shot Deal). View the webinar options.
To apply for Cash Assistance or a one-time emergency grant (One Shot Deal), clients will need to take the following steps:
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Visit ACCESS HRA and log-in
- Select the 'Benefits' link from the menu options on the homepage
- Select 'Start a New Application'
- Select the 'Cash Assistance' option in the 'Select Application' page
- Identify any applicable emergency indicators and click 'Next'
- Select the type of benefits you would like to apply for
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The three options are: Cash Assistance, One Shot Deal, or Child Care without Cash Assistance (CILOCA). If the need is for emergency assistance and ongoing assistance, select the Cash Assistance option.
- Complete and submit the application
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Follow instructions in the ACCESS HRA confirmation page and submit required documents using the ACCESS HRA Mobile App
Clients with an active Cash Assistance case can submit a special grant request for things like rent or utility arrears via ACCESS HRA. To submit a Cash Assistance Special Grant Request, clients will need to:
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Visit ACCESS HRA and log-in
- Enter identifying information to 'Find My Case' and link to HRA case
- Select 'View Case' in the ACCESS HRA user home page
- Select 'Request Special Grant,' located on the left-hand side
- Identify the special grant being requesting, complete the request and submit
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Follow instructions in confirmation and submit required documents using the ACCESS HRA Mobile App
All applications and requests for emergency assistance are evaluated on an individual case-by-case basis.
Non-Citizen Eligibility for HRA Benefits Quick Facts
In response to questions regarding immigrant eligibility for benefits, we are sharing the information below. This information has been shared previously and is always available on the DSS COVID-19 Community Updates page on our website.
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All New Yorkers are encouraged to apply for benefits, regardless of immigration status or perceived immigration status
- Non-citizen parents ARE able to apply for their US citizen children
- A Social Security number/card is NOT a requirement for applying for benefits.
- Clients do NOT need to be Legal Permanent Residents (LPRs) to qualify for benefits. Many different immigration statuses allow for certain benefits eligibility. Each case is assessed individually and in consideration of all available documents and information.
- HRA provides language services for any language a client may need (including sign language), so all clients are welcome and encouraged to apply for benefits regardless of their preferred language.
- DSS produces documents in the following 12 languages: Arabic, Bengali, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, English, French, Haitian Creole, Korean, Polish, Russian, Spanish, and Urdu. Clients can use Access HRA to change their preferred written language indicator.
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When submitting a benefits application, clients should include any and all documents that they think may be relevant to their immigration status. This includes documents that are expired and documents issued from other countries.
- Copies of documents should be legible and complete, including front and back of cards, forms, and passports (including blank pages of passports).
- If clients do not have their immigration documents or have concerns relating to public charge, they should contact ActionNYC at 1-800-354-0365 or call 311 and say "ActionNYC" for further assistance, including legal assistance.
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The Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) has been available to all persons in New York regardless of immigration status. For more information, please visit https://otda.ny.gov/programs/Emergency-Rental-Assistance/.
- Resources providing an overview of non-citizen benefits eligibility can be found at the following websites:
- https://otda.ny.gov/programs/publications/4579.pdf
- https://www.nyic.org/immigrant-eligibility-for-public-benefits-chart/
- However, we encourage clients to apply for benefits regardless of immigration status and to allow HRA to make the benefits eligibility determination
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If you have any concerns that an error has been made in a client’s benefits eligibility related to their immigration status, please contact the Office of Refugee and Immigrant Affairs (ORIA) at oria@dss.nyc.gov for assistance.
NYS Excluded Workers Fund Update
As we reported previously, the application process for the NYS Excluded Workers Fund closed as of October 8, 2021. Applicants who already submitted a complete application may still access their account to view the status or respond to requests for information. Accounts can be accessed at ewf.labor.ny.gov. Funds for the program are limited and are being distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications are processed in the order they were received. There is no guarantee of available funding for any claims that were submitted after September 24, 2021. Additional information can be found on the EWF FAQ page here.
Excluded Workers Funds are considered a one-time lump sum payment and are therefore excluded from consideration as income for SNAP benefits in the month of receipt of benefit and as a resource for 12 months following receipt of benefit. Any remaining balance from these payments could affect a household’s eligibility after 12 months if a household subject to a resource test were to have a remaining balance from the payments and the remaining balance caused the household to exceed the resource limit for the benefit for which they were applying.
We will provide information on the impact of funds received under the EWF on Cash Assistance and HEAP benefits as soon as that information is available.
Authentication Request for HRA/DHS Contractors
All HRA and DHS contractors have received or will be receiving an email request from the DSS Office of Data Security Management (email address is datasecurity@dss.nyc.gov) requesting confirmation of their contact information. This request originates with DSS and it is safe to respond. Recipients will have 10 days from the date the email request is received to respond.
GetFood NYC
Clients who have been receiving meals through GetFoodNYC and are over the age of 60 have been contacted to determine their need for ongoing meal service and are being transitioned over to a temporary meal delivery program as of November 1, 2021.
- Individuals over the age of 60 who were enrolled in GetFood during the period of August 16, 2021 through the October 1, 2021, the final registration deadline for GetFood service
- Still have an outstanding need for meals (participants have been contacted to assess ongoing need and the most appropriate meal service option)
- Cannot otherwise access meals using existing City services
This temporary meal service will continue through June 2022.
Public Hearing on NYC Tenant Right-to-Counsel Legal Services
HRA's Office of Civil Justice (OCJ) administers New York City’s Right-to-Counsel initiative (also known as the Universal Access to Legal Services program) which provides access to legal services for tenants facing eviction, and will hold its annual public hearing on:
Thursday November 18, 2021
6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Meeting ID: 891 4266 6567
One tap mobile +16468769923,,89142666567# US (New York)
In 2017, New York City became the first city in the United States to commit to making free legal services available to all tenants facing eviction in housing court and public housing authority termination of tenancy proceedings. OCJ holds this public hearing to provide an opportunity for tenants, attorneys, advocates and other stakeholders to be heard on the initiative's progress to date, as well as to inform future plans for implementation.
Enhancements to IDNYC Online Portal
We have made the following enhancements to the Online IDNYC Portal to improve the user experience by providing clients with the ability to renew IDNYC cards and update some of their information online without having to visit an enrollment center. This new functionality allows users to:
- Check their application status online
- Create and manage in-center appointments
- Submit applications online for renewal and/or update applications
- Upload documents for online applications
New York City Common Pantry (NYCP) Mobile Pantry
FreshDirect and its charitable partner, NY Common Pantry (NYCP), announced the launch of a new mobile pantry that will distribute food to people across New York City. The NYCP Mobile Pantry will also host social services staff, who will arrange enrollment in New York Common Pantry's program for distributing free food to eligible people, provide emergency food assistance and help people apply for programs like SNAP. Additional information on this new program will be provided as it becomes available.
Department of Education 3-K, Pre-K, and Kindergarten Admissions
All NYC families with children born in 2017, 2018, and 2019 are invited to virtual information sessions hosted by the Department of Education covering 3-K, pre-K, and kindergarten admissions.
These online sessions will cover:
- How to learn about schools and programs.
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How to navigate MySchools.nyc, the online school directory and application system.
- How to get ready now to apply later.
Information about accelerated learning for all through Brilliant NYC will be shared during separate public engagement events.
The content of each event is the same, but different interpretation services will be provided for different events, as follows:
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November 16, 2pm to 3pm | Event held in English. Interpretation provided in: Spanish, Bangla, Korean
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November 18, 6pm to 7pm | Event held in English. Interpretation provided in: Chinese (Mandarin), Urdu, Haitian Creole
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November 30, 2pm to 3pm | Event held in English. Interpretation provided in: Russian, Arabic, French
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December 9, 6pm to 7pm | Event held in English. Interpretation provided in: Spanish, Bangla, Korean
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December 14, 2pm to 3pm | Event held in English. Interpretation provided in: Chínese (Cantonese), Urdu, Haitian Creole
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January 10, 6pm to 7pm | Event held in English. Interpretation provided in: Russian, Arabic, French
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February 2, 6pm to 7pm | Event held in English. Interpretation provided in: Spanish, Chinese (Mandarin)
How to join:
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Each event will be hosted live online. Links to each event can be found at schools.nyc.gov/ESEvents. Please check the website 48 hours before the event to find the password and any other information needed to join, as well as how to receive interpretation.
A recording of these online sessions will be posted on the DOE website in December.
To learn more about available program options and apply online parents can create a MySchools.nyc account.
Welcome letters are in the mail to families of current 8th grade public DOE and charter school students. All 8th grade students (and first-time 9th grade students, if interested) can also get their welcome letter from their current school. This letter includes an overview of high school and Specialized High Schools admissions, including how to access a student’s MySchools account. Learn more here.
Virtual Town Hall: Medicare Parts A, B, C and D: Changes You Can Make to Your Coverage
On Thursday, November 18th from 2 pm – 3:30 pm, join Senator Liz Krueger and Eric Hausman from the Department for the Aging’s Health Insurance Information and Counseling Program (HIICAP). Mr. Hausman, the HIICAP Program Coordinator, is an expert on all things Medicare. Mr. Hausman will provide updates on changes coming in 2022 to premium rates and deductibles for Medicare Parts A and B, review Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans, Medigap/Supplemental plans, and programs that can help defray Medicare costs, including prescription drug costs. The Medicare Open Enrollment Period runs from October 15 - December 7, 2021.
The event will be accessible via Zoom, Facebook Live, and telephone, and those interested in attending can register here.
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.
The information contained in this communication is a synopsis of what was shared as well as new developments.
Each week, we will provide all of the information included in each of our prior communications on our website on the COVID-19 Community Updates page. If you would like to reference a specific prior communication, links to each of the prior communications can be found on the community updates page.
As a reminder, we have a standing informational call on Tuesdays at 4:00PM. In the event that the date or time of the weekly call needs to change due to extenuating circumstances, a notification is sent out from DSSoutreach@dss.nyc.gov, in addition to an updated calendar invitation to those who have signed up to join the calls. To be added to this list, please reach out to DSSoutreach@dss.nyc.gov.
Please note that there are several hundred participants on these weekly calls, and as a result they may start a few minutes late to allow as many people to join as possible and hear all the information. In addition, the large number of participants does not allow us to have individual conversations efficiently, which is why we respond to individual inquiries through the chat box. If you have additional questions after the call, please reach out to DSSoutreach@dss.nyc.gov or the appropriate contact area listed on our COVID 19 Community Updates page.
CART (Communication Access Realtime Translation) is available during these calls as an accommodation for individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. Please contact oria@dss.nyc.gov at least four hours prior to the call to enable this service.
As always, thank you for your continued partnership in serving New Yorkers in need, particularly now when our clients need us more than ever. If you have any questions or concerns about the changes we have made and are continuing to develop to address the COVID pandemic, please do not hesitate to reach out to the Office of Advocacy and Outreach at DSSoutreach@dss.nyc.gov.
Sincerely,
Steven Banks
DSS Commissioner
New York City Department of Social Services
