September 27, 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. 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
Pfizer booster doses are now available for certain groups of people who received the Pfizer vaccine at least six months ago. Those groups are:
- People who are 65 or older
- People who are 18 or older with an underlying medical condition, or
- People who are 18 or older and live in a nursing home or other long-term care facility.
- People who are 18 or older at higher risk of COVID-19 exposure due to occupational (e.g. healthcare workers) or institutional setting (e.g. people who live in shelters)
Eligible New Yorkers are able to access booster shots (as of September 24, 2021) and will need to attest to their eligibility.
Separately, please note that there has been no change to the August guidelines about third doses for people with underlying conditions. Adults who received the Pfizer OR Moderna vaccine at least 28 days ago, and are moderately to severely immunocompromised, are still eligible for a third dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, as part of their initial vaccination series. Eligible New Yorkers can access third doses citywide and need to attest to their eligibility.
Those who received the J&J vaccine are not eligible for additional doses of the vaccine at this time.
- Indoor dining
- Includes restaurants, catering halls, event spaces, hotel banquet rooms, bars, nightclubs, cafeterias, grocery stores with indoor dining, coffee shops and fast food or quick service with indoor dining.
- Indoor fitness
- Includes gyms, fitness centers, fitness classes, pools, indoor studios and dance studios.
- Indoor entertainment
- Includes movie theaters, music and concert venues, museums, aquariums and zoos, professional sports arenas, indoor stadiums, convention centers, exhibition halls, performing arts theaters, bowling alleys, arcades, pool and billiard halls, recreational game centers, adult entertainment, and indoor play areas.
The NYC vaccine referral bonus program has been extended to small businesses, including restaurants. Civic organizations, including community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, and Parent-Teacher Associations, were already eligible. Under this expansion, small businesses are now eligible to receive a $100 vaccine referral bonus for each employee or customer that 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, small businesses 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.
NYC Mobile Vaccine Buses continue to provide vaccines. 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.
While walk-up vaccines are available at City-operated vaccination sites, appointments can still be made by using vaccinefinder.nyc.gov.
Vaccination and Testing Apps
New Yorkers can meet vaccine and/or testing requirements by carrying their paper vaccination card with them or scanning and storing it in one of two authorized mobile apps - Excelsior Pass Wallet and NYC Covid Safe.
The Excelsior Pass Wallet, developed for New York State, allows an individual to find and store their proof of vaccination right on their phone with a QR code, or to print out their QR code instead. The app will only work for people who have been vaccinated in New York, as it confirms the vaccination information against city or state records. The app, called NYS Wallet, is available for download on iPhone and Android phones.
The NYC Covid Safe app doesn’t connect directly to vaccine records. The app allows a person to upload 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. The app is also available for download on iPhone and Android phones.
COVID-19 Testing
Free in-home COVID PCR testing is now available for all immunocompromised New Yorkers and people 65+. Call 929-298-9400 to schedule an appointment.
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.
Please note that NYC Health + Hospitals COVID-19 testing will be at the two sites below on Monday, September 27 through Friday, October 1 from 8am-7pm:
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Bushwick: 2 George Street, Brooklyn, NY 11206
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Staten Island: 201 Bay Street, Staten Island, NY 10301
State OTDA Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) Program Updates
Please continue to encourage everyone who may be eligible to apply for ERAP, and please remember that help is available for landlords and tenants across the city through a network of DSS contracted 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.
Additional resources are available for download to help clients access this benefit:
All are available in additional languages here.
Free Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) Application Assistance
ERAP Denial/Partial Acceptance Information for One-Shot Deal Applicants
In accordance with OTDA’s directive, clients who have received a denial or partial acceptance of an ERAP application from the State may now apply for a One-Shot Deal/Special Grant. Confirmation of the ERAP application denial or partial acceptance from OTDA can be provided in hard copy or email format.
Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) Eligibility Update
New Yorkers who make 80–120% of area median income (up to $131,230 for a family of four, see all household sizes here) may now apply to ERAP.
Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) Applications for NYCHA Residents
State OTDA has now approved the joint request by NYCHA and DSS to enable NYCHA to apply for ERAP on behalf of residents so that residents no longer have to fill out the full online ERAP application. Residents who haven’t yet applied for ERAP can consent to NYCHA applying on their behalf via the Authority’s Self-Service Portal (a how-to guide can be found here). NYCHA residents who have already submitted an ERAP application should send their ERAP application number, first and last name, date of birth, development name, and nine-digit account number to erap.fin@nycha.nyc.gov so that NYCHA can complete the application with State OTDA.
NYCHA residents with rental arrears still have the option to apply on their own, rather than consenting to allow NYCHA to apply on their behalf. NYCHA will apply on behalf of all residents who provide their consent. Through the consent process, NYCHA has found a way to streamline these applications and make it easier for residents who do not have to fill out the State ERAP application form.
NYCHA has been informing residents of this opportunity and has sent emails and made phone calls to residents with arrears, and has also used social media to promote this option. Beginning Monday, September 20th, NYCHA also began door-knocking to all residents who potentially qualify for ERAP.
New York State Utility Shutoff Moratorium
New York State law provides temporary shutoff protections of essential utilities and municipal services during the COVID-19 pandemic. The moratorium is a grace period for customers to catch up on their bills and obtain financial assistance.
Those who have experienced a loss of income due to the COVID-19 pandemic and are in arrears for utility or municipal bills must self-certify to their utility provider or municipality to protect their account from shutoff. Utility companies and municipalities must also offer a deferred payment agreement with no money down, late fees, or interest to help pay arrears. These temporary protections will remain in effect through December 2021. For more information please visit: https://www3.dps.ny.gov/W/AskPSC.nsf/All/D3BB77AFE92D6FFF852585EE0051A13E?OpenDocument#_blank
CityFHEPS New Payment Standards
New payment standards for approved CityFHEPS clients went into effect on September 1, 2021. Please refer to the detailed charts at the end of this letter for more information.
CityFHEPS Renewals
The best way clients can return their completed and signed CityFHEPS Renewal Request form is to email it along with images of all supporting documents to RAPrenewals@hra.nyc.gov. Clients can also mail the completed and signed form, along with copies of all supporting documents, to Rental Assistance Program Unit, 109 E 16th Street, 10th Floor, New York, NY 10003. The Rental Assistance Unit remains closed to the public at this time.
SNAP Emergency Food Replacement Claims
Clients may be eligible for funds to replace food lost as a result of the impacts of Tropical Cyclone Ida. In order to file a claim, clients should complete the Request for Replacement of Food Purchased with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Benefits, LDSS-2291 form and return it to HRA for processing. Forms can be submitted as follows:
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Upload using the ACCESS HRA mobile app (visit nyc.gov/accesshramobile for information on how to download the app).
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Fax to 917-639-2544 .
- Mail to:
Centralized Recertification Mail Unit
PO Box 29008
Brooklyn, NY 11202
We have received approval of our waiver request to allow recipients of SNAP an extension to October 1, 2021 to request a grant to replace food purchased with SNAP benefits that was lost as a result of power outages. Click here for the request form, LDSS-2291. You can upload the completed form using the AHRA Mobile App or use any of the other submission methods above.
Please Note: P-EBT benefits are not eligible for this replacement.
We have also received approval of our waiver request to allow the temporary use of SNAP benefits to purchase hot foods through October 3, 2021 to address the impact of the storm. Click here for more info: https://www.fns.usda.gov/disaster/new-york-disaster-nutrition-assistance. SNAP recipients do not need to show proof of Tropical Storm damages to use this waiver.
Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) Regular Arrears Supplement (RAS)
The State HEAP Regular Arrears Supplement is a one-time benefit funded with the HEAP appropriation received under the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. This benefit is being made available to help pay gas and/or electricity utility arrears and will be available from September 22, 2021 through September 30, 2022 or until funding is exhausted, whichever occurs first.
RAS benefits are a Regular HEAP supplement available to assist HEAP eligible households who have electricity and/or gas account arrears. Only one RAS benefit per current electricity and/or gas account is permitted, and total RAS benefits must not exceed $10,000 per applicant household. This benefit will be made available from September 22, 2021 through September 30, 2022, or until funding is exhausted, whichever comes first.
The Regular Arrears Supplement is a one-time benefit 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).
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)
- Vendor is paid directly for gas and/or electricity usage, and
- Current gas and/or electricity account(s) is/are in active collections, or otherwise facing disconnection or termination due to unpaid arrears.
Note that there is no resource test for the RAS benefit and that arrears for domestic electricity do not have to be heat related.
Additional information on how to apply will be provided as soon as it is available.
Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) Inquiries
As a reminder, all P-EBT related inquiries should be directed to the P-EBT Food Benefits Helpline at 1-833-452-0096 or to the P-EBT Information Form at otda.ny.gov/PEBT-Info to submit questions in writing. OTDA’s SNAP COVID-19 webpage (https://otda.ny.gov/SNAP-COVID-19/ ) also provides a wealth of information about P-EBT and links to further and more detailed information about P-EBT.
SNAP Emergency Allotment
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 September 2021. The emergency allotment will be the maximum allotment for the household size or $95, whichever is greater. Further information is available here. If clients want to know when their emergency SNAP allotments are available, they can check their available SNAP balance at https://otda.ny.gov/workingfamilies/ebt/.
Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Increase Details
The updated SNAP standards that go into effect on October 1, 2021 have been released. The State notice to SNAP recipients outlining these new standards can be found here.
Below is a recap of what we’ve shared previously on the impact on benefits of the October 1, 2021 increase:
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. These emergency allotments – with the minimum amount of $95 – will continue for one month beyond the end of the federal public health emergency. The public health emergency is currently set to end in October 2021, with emergency allotments ending in November 2021.
SNAP benefit increases:
Beginning in January 2021, the maximum SNAP benefit amount was increased temporarily by 15%, and this temporary increase will expire on September 30, 2021. However, effective October 1, 2021, permanent changes to the Thrifty Food Plan (that the US Department of Agriculture uses to calculate SNAP benefits) will go into effect, resulting in a sizeable increase in the maximum benefit amounts by household size.
Through the end of September 2021, both emergency allotments and the 15% benefit increase will be in effect. For the months of October and November 2021, both emergency allotments and the permanent SNAP increase will be in effect. Beginning in December, emergency allotments will no longer be issued (unless the public health emergency is extended), but the permanent SNAP increase will remain in effect.
Please refer to this chart for additional details about the federal changes.
Workshop for Navigating Support Services for People With Developmental Disabilities
Navigating the System for People with Developmental Disabilities - a free virtual workshop hosted by the nonprofit YAI - will provide an overview of eligibility and access to support services through the NYS Office for People with Developmental Disabilities. People with intellectual and developmental disabilities, family members, caregivers, and professionals are invited to attend the event on Wednesday 9/29 at 6 pm, and can register here.
Electrify NYC
On September 20, New York City launched ElectrifyNYC, a program run by the Mayor’s Office of Climate and Sustainability, in partnership with Kinetic Communities, and Neighborhood Housing Services of Queens and Staten Island. ElectrifyNYC will provide free services for owners of one- to four-unit family homes, particularly low- and moderate-income families to reduce energy costs, improve comfort and air quality, and cut greenhouse gas emissions. The program is designed to create equitable access to green technologies through no-cost technical assistance for property owners and promote just workforce development for contractors with a focus on Minority & Women-Owned Businesses (MWBEs) and priority population organizations. New Yorkers can learn more by contacting ElectrifyNYC at ElectrifyNYC@KC3.nyc and (718) 500-0172.
NYCHA Job Corps Virtual Information Session
On October 6, NYCHA is offering a Job Corps virtual information session for NYCHA residents ages 18 – 24. Job Corps is a free job training program offering hands-on career technical training. Job Corps can also help participants get their high school diploma or GED for those who don’t already have one.
The informational session will be offered on Wednesday October 6 at 11 AM via Zoom (link will follow registration). Online registration is available here or by calling the NYCHA REES program at 718-289-8100.
On-Demand Transportation Pilot for Older Adults
The DFTA My Ride pilot is an on-demand transportation pilot for older adults (ages 60+) and people with disabilities (18+). If selected to participate, individuals will receive free on-demand car service. There are limited spots available in this pilot program. To find out more call Aging Connect at 212-244-6469 or visit nyc.gov/aging/myride.
IDNYC Updates
IDNYC has now reopened a total of 14 public enrollment centers throughout the five boroughs. Capacity is limited and appointments are required. Open sites and hours of operation can be found on the IDNYC website here.
The IDNYC On-the-Go/Mobile Command Center is deployed at various locations across the City. It will be deployed near the DOHMH Corona office (34-33 Junction Boulevard, Jackson Heights) for public enrollments serving Queens residents on September 29 and 30 (W/Th) from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. On October 13 and 14 (W/Th) from 10 am – 4:30 p.m. the Mobile Command Center will be deployed near the Alianza Ecuatoriana Internacional in Queens (104-08 Roosevelt Avenue, Queens). Appointments are recommended and walk-ins will be accepted when possible consistent with COVID social distancing guidelines. A list of upcoming Mobile Command Center locations can be found on the locations page of the IDNYC website here (under “pop-up enrollment centers”).
Appointments can be made on the IDNYC website here.
Lifeline Telephone Discount
Lifeline is a federal program that offers a monthly discount on telephone service to qualified low-income customers. Consumers qualify for Lifeline by participating in certain federal or state assistance programs or by having income at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines. The Lifeline discount can be applied to either home telephone service (landline or cable) or wireless service and is available for only one line per household. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), in conjunction with two national utilities associations, is working to share information about this program with low-income New Yorkers who may be eligible for this program for the first time. Information about Lifeline that is specific to New York can be found here.
Beginning in March 2020, the Federal Communications Commission temporarily eased the documentation requirements for those who seek to qualify for the federal Lifeline program based on their income. Currently, many of these changes are set to expire on September 30. More information about COVID-19-related changes to the Lifeline program can be found here.
Service providers and consumer advocates can learn more about the program at usac.org/lifeline.
Department of City Planning - Census 2020 Data
Based on the 2020 census, NYC’s Department of City Planning website has been updated with 2020 Census resources and data available here. As with each decennial census, 2020 Census operations included the revision of census tracts and blocks, and an interactive guide is available here. Additional resources include:
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The City Planning's BYTES of the BIG APPLE™ webpage, which has a new Census section to host the geographic boundary files for 2020 Census Blocks, Tracts, NTAs, and CDTAs.
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This Fall, the American Community Survey (ACS) subsection of the City Planning website will publish ACS data for the 2015-2019 five-year period estimates in 2020 geographic terms.
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The NYC Population FactFinder application will be updated with 2020 Census geographies and data. Look for this update in October.
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
