|
March 7, 2025
DSS-HRA-DHS Updates
Quarterly Community Partners Call
If you were not able to join our last quarterly call on December 10, 2024, please find an audio recording here and use Passcode: J!1$iRJ1 to listen.
The next Community Partners Call has been rescheduled to Tuesday, April 1, at 4:00 pm. The DSS Leadership team will provide important updates and offer a Q&A to answer your questions.
If you have already registered, no further action is needed. Your registration remains valid, and you will receive an updated confirmation email with the new date and meeting details.
If you have not yet registered, please be sure to do so here.
This call is specifically intended for Community Partners, including representatives from legal organizations, Elected Officials' offices, and municipal partners.
Community Partners Updates
Important updates as well as an ongoing synopsis of the information shared in prior communications are on our DSS Community Updates page. We encourage you to use and share this link to answer questions on the many topics we have covered.
Anyone interested in being added to the list of invitees for our community call, community updates communications relevant resources and agency updates can sign up here.
Extension of 2024-2025 Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) Regular and Emergency Benefit Closing Dates
Closing dates for both the Regular and Emergency benefit components have been extended beyond their original closing date of March 17, 2025. It is anticipated that both components will continue to operate until early April, dependent upon available funding. OTDA will continue to closely monitor expenditures and will provide revised closing dates with advance notice.
Regular HEAP applications continue to be accepted by mail, in-person, and online. The online Regular HEAP Application will remain available to applicants through ACCESS HRA. Applications for First and Second Emergency benefits will be accepted by phone, mail, and in-person.
More information, including 2024-25 benefit amounts and eligibility requirements for all HEAP components, can be found here and here. Our dedicated webpage is updated with instructions on how to apply for each HEAP component and future opening and closing dates for each.
Expansion of Restaurant Meals Program (RMP)
The Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA), established a Restaurant Meals Program intended to allow certain households who may not have access to proper food storage and preparation or who may not be able to prepare meals themselves, to use their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to purchase prepared meals at participating restaurants at a discounted rate. The pilot program, which began in Monroe County in December 2023 and expanded to all five boroughs of New York City in 2024, has now expanded to a statewide program.
Households using SNAP benefits to purchase meals at participating restaurants receive a 10% discount on the cost of their meal. When purchasing prepared meals at participating restaurants, households will be responsible for covering the entire, discounted cost of their meals.
A list of participating restaurants in NYC can be found here and will be updated as new restaurants are onboarded.
To be eligible to purchase prepared meals at restaurants participating in the RMP, all members of the SNAP household must be either:
- elderly (age 60 or older).
- have a disability as defined for SNAP (receives disability benefits from a government agency because of a disability considered permanent).
- experiencing homelessness (including those residing in shelter); or
- the spouse of a SNAP participant who is eligible for RMP
There is no separate application process for SNAP households to participate in the RMP. RMP eligibility is established systemically by HRA/DSS by the presence of certain attributes on the household’s SNAP case, such as age of all household members, the Aged/Disabled indicator, the Shelter Type code, and the Relationship indicator.
SNAP household that are eligible to participate in the RMP have their benefit case automatically updated with an RMP indicator. This means that eligible households may purchase food/meals at participating restaurants without having to make any changes or updates to their cards.
Households identified as RMP eligible will receive notices from HRA letting them know that their household may participate in the RMP. Conversely, when a household who previously participated in the RMP no longer meets the criteria to participate due to a change in circumstances, a notice will be issued to explain that the household is no longer eligible for the RMP.
All SNAP households can confirm their own RMP eligibility status by visiting ebtEDGE and creating or logging into their account. If the household is creating a new ebtEDGE account, they will need their CBIC/EBT card number, PIN, and an email address.
Once logged into the home page, in the “Account Information” section, the cardholder will see a thumbs up icon with “Account is Restaurant Meal Program Eligible” if the household is eligible for the RMP. If the household is not eligible for the RMP, the “Account is Restaurant Meal Program Eligible” message will not be present in the “Account Information” section.
Note: Applicants/Participants can also see the eligibility message for RMP on the ebtEDGE Mobile App.
Since clients will be using their SNAP benefits, they should check their SNAP benefit balance by calling 1-888-328-6399 or visiting ebtEDGE to ensure that they have sufficient funds in their SNAP EBT account prior to purchasing a meal at a participating restaurant.
If a household meets the criteria to participate in the RMP and attempts to purchase a prepared meal but does not have sufficient funds to cover the entire, discounted cost of their meal, the household will be responsible for covering any remaining balance with funds other than SNAP benefits.
If a household does not meet the criteria to participate in the RMP and attempts to use their SNAP benefits to purchase a prepared meal at a participating restaurant, the transaction will be declined, the household will not be eligible for the RMP discounted rate and will be responsible for covering the full cost of their meal with funds other than SNAP benefits
For more information on the Restaurant Meal Program, click here.
For restaurant owners who would like to learn more, click here. Restaurant owners that are interested in enrolling into the program should contact NYSRMP@otda.ny.gov.
First Phase of the Fair Fares NYC Program Transition to OMNY
We are pleased to announce the first phase of the full transition of the Fair Fares program to OMNY, the MTA’s contactless fare payment system, following the conclusion of a successful Fair Fares pilot on OMNY between the DSS and the MTA.
The Fair Fares discount is available to New Yorkers, regardless of immigration status, between the ages of 18 and 64 whose income falls at or below 145 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Visit the Fair Fares website to check for eligibility, apply online and begin saving 50 percent on subway and eligible bus fares or MTA Access-A-Ride paratransit trips.
The switch to OMNY will make it easier for working-class New Yorkers to manage their transit funds and help participants save even more with automatic fare capping, which ensures that no Fair Fares client will pay more than $17 per week to ride the subway and eligible buses when using their Fair Fares-issued OMNY card.
During the first phase of the transition to OMNY, the Fair Fares discount will be available on Fair Fares-issued OMNY cards. All new program enrollees will receive a Fair Fares OMNY card instead of a MetroCard and will immediately be able to tap into the subway system or eligible buses after loading funds onto the card. Clients can add money to their Fair Fares OMNY card in the following ways:
Current Fair Fares Metrocard holders may request an OMNY card at their convenience via ACCESS HRA. Otherwise, they will automatically receive one when they renew their program enrollment or request a replacement card. Clients can continue to use any active Fair Fares MetroCard until they either expire, or 30 days after the OMNY card request or program enrollment renewal, whichever comes first.
In the second phase of the transition, participants will be able to apply their Fair Fares discount to preexisting OMNY cards, bank cards, or mobile devices, making it even easier and more convenient to save on transit costs.
Updated FAQs are now available for reference, along with an instructional video to help amplify this update.
As part of the switch to OMNY, the NYC Department of Social Services – Human Resources Administration (DSS HRA) is pleased to announce the following ACCESS HRA updates went live on Saturday, February 15, 2025:
Clients will receive a new OMNY card for their subways and eligible buses discount one of several ways via the ACCESS HRA Fair Fares portal:
- Selecting the subways and eligible buses discount type in a Fair Fares enrollment application
- Selecting the subways and eligible buses discount type in a Fair Fares renewal
- Reporting a MetroCard lost or stolen
- Switching discount type from Access-A-Ride to subways and eligible buses
- Completing the new ‘Switch Fair Fares Discount from MetroCard to OMNY’ form found in the Quick Links section of the portal homepage
Other OMNY-Related Fair Fares Portal Enhancements:
- Brand new re-designed Fair Fares portal homepage for OMNY clients
- Viewable OMNY card information
- New OMNY card statuses
- OMNY card expiration date
- OMNY card serial number and transit account number (TAN)
- New links to open and manage an OMNY account and reload card
- New ‘Card is Damaged’ option for clients reporting a card issue
- New Fair Fares and OMNY help section
- New and improved alerts and messaging for greater clarity on case activity
- New functionality for clients to re-use previously issued Fair Fares OMNY card
- Clients who have an unexpired FF OMNY card on file can choose to re-use this card at application, renewal, or when switching discount types from Access-A-Ride to subways and buses
The ACCESS HRA client portal can be found here.
To go directly to the Fair Fares NYC application or home page, go here.
We continue to offer trainings on ACCESS HRA, the Fair Fares NYC program and other topics. Community and advocacy organizations, municipal agencies, and Elected Officials' office staff can register for an upcoming session here.
Reminder: OCSS Pay It Off Program Returns March 3-14, 2025
Pay It Off is a time-limited program offered by the NYC Office of Child Support Services (OCSS) where noncustodial parents who have child support debt permanently owed to the NYC Department of Social Services (DSS) can pay off their arrears twice as fast. This program will run for two weeks only – March 3-14, 2025.
When a noncustodial parent makes a payment of at least $500 towards their NYC DSS arrears while the program is offered, OCSS will match it dollar for dollar. Furthermore, noncustodial parents who pay off the principal on their money judgment owed to NYC DSS via Pay It Off between March 3-14 will have their interest automatically eliminated.
Noncustodial parents who sign up for the Arrears Credit Program (ACP) while Pay It Off is offered will receive a one-time sign-up bonus of up to $2,500 in debt reduction applied to their NYC DSS arrears. They could also be eligible for additional reductions up to $15,000 over three (3) years.
To learn more about the Pay It Off program and to sign up for the Arrears Credit program between March 3 and March 14, 2025, go to the Pay It Off webpage. Watch a short video here. A flyer with more detailed information can be found here.
Increase in EBT Phone Scams
Lately there has been an increase in clients receiving phone calls from individuals "spoofing" the EBT Customer Service phone number (888-328-6399) and the DSS OneNumber (718-557-1399). Spoofing is when a caller deliberately falsifies the information transmitted to your caller ID to disguise their identity.
The caller ID on these calls may appear to be the EBT Customer Service number or the DSS OneNumber, but the call is actually originating from a different source. Please emphasize to clients that legitimate EBT Customer Service and DSS OneNumber representatives will never call a client to request account or EBT card information. Clients should never provide such information in response to unsolicited phone calls, even if the caller ID appears to be from EBT Customer Service or DSS OneNumber.
To help secure their EBT cards, if clients suspect their account may have been compromised, they can freeze their card through their ebtEDGE account. For more information, click here.
NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP): NYC Free Tax Prep - Tax Season 2025
NYC FREE Tax Prep offers free, professional tax preparation that can help New Yorkers file an accurate tax return and claim these valuable tax credits through multiple filing options, including in-person tax prep, drop-off service, virtual tax prep, and assisted self-preparation.
-
For families with income of $93,000 or less in 2024.
-
For single filers with income of $65,000 or less in 2024.
NYC Free Tax Prep services are available to anyone who lives or works in New York City, but we need your help to connect New Yorkers to services. We want eligible New Yorkers to claim valuable tax credits and save on tax prep fees, so please spread the word!
Below are some ways you can help amplify NYC Free Tax Prep:
If your organization directly interacts with New Yorkers, consider making referrals and/or setting up appointments for them. Referrals from trusted organizations help ensure access amongst all communities. NYC Free Tax Prep sites may be by appointment and/or offer walk-in hours. Visit nyc.gov/taxprep or call 311 and ask for “tax preparation” to find the nearest site and more information.
-
Contact the DCWP Outreach Team to request a presentation about NYC Free Tax Prep or to host an event in person or virtually.
-
You can access outreach materials, including ads, brochures, and flyers, in multiple languages here.
-
Did you file using NYC Free Tax Prep? Share your experience on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram (@helloDCWP) using the hashtag #FreeTaxPrep.
Reminder: Changes to Medicaid Renewal Rules
During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) instructed the State Department of Health, which oversees HRA, to temporarily suspend the closure of Medicaid cases for clients who failed to respond to renewal forms sent to their address of record. This suspension will end in April 2025, marking the conclusion of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency unwind. Going forward, only clients who receive and respond to their renewal forms and are deemed eligible will continue to receive Medicaid benefits. Clients who do not respond to their renewal will have their cases closed, starting with those whose authorization ends in April 2025. No further extensions will be granted, and these clients will begin receiving their renewal forms by mail as early as January.
A cover letter titled “Act Now! Medicaid Renewal Rules Have Changed” (MAP-3185a) will be included with all Medicaid renewal notices. This letter will inform clients that they or someone in their household must complete a Medicaid renewal to maintain eligibility for services and will outline the necessary steps to successfully renew their Medicaid coverage.
The City has also created a dedicated Palm Card with instructions to help clients find their current Medicaid renewal status online via ACCESS HRA or by phone at 888-692-6116, and a Social Media Toolkit to amplify this update.
Updated Resources/Information for Immigrant New Yorkers
The Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) has updated resources for immigrant New Yorkers related to their rights in New York City. These include a social media toolkit and several translated booklets:
To ensure access to the latest versions, MOIA has also created printable resources with a QR-code leading to MOIA's website. Each QR-code one-pager, palm card, and poster has been translated and includes a specific QR-code link that opens MOIA's website in that language.
You can view and download printable versions of all of these resources on MOIA's Know Your Rights page.
Opening of Green Cart Permit Waiting Lists
The NYC Health Department is offering mobile food vending Green Cart permits for the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Staten Island. This permit allows vendors to sell fresh fruits and vegetables — including prepackaged sliced and cut fruits and vegetables — bottled drinking water, and plain nuts.
To get a Green Cart permit, applicants must have a valid Mobile Food Vending License and submit the Green Cart Waiting List Application Form to join a waiting list. The waiting list application can be completed at any time. To fill out the waiting list application, visit nyc.gov/greencarts.
When Green Cart permits become available for Queens and Manhattan, the NYC Health Department will make an announcement. For more information, visit nyc.gov/greencarts.
New EBT Freeze Card Feature Flyer Available from the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance
In an effort to help SNAP participants better secure their benefits from scam-related theft, the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) has released a new flyer, Safeguard Your Card – New EBT Freeze Card Feature (Pub-5261), which is available in English & Spanish.
EBT cardholders should have also received an SMS message from 696-832, which directs them to this flyer and states the following: “NY OTDA: Protect your benefits. Learn how to freeze your EBT card when it’s not in use: otda.ny.gov/5261. Reply STOP to unsubscribe. Msg & data rates may apply.”
While the freeze card feature does not completely prevent theft of information via skimming devices or other fraudulent methods, households who freeze their EBT card when not in use have a significantly lower chance of having their benefits stolen.
OTDA encourages community partners to explain the advantages of using the freeze card feature to EBT cardholders, as well as posting the flyer in waiting areas and on their websites.
NYC Landlords & Managing Agents’ Guide to Supporting Residents with Potential Mental Health Conditions
The Mayor’s Office of Community Mental Health offers a comprehensive guide to mental health services for landlords and managing agents, which can be found here. If a landlord or managing agent feels comfortable addressing a mental health challenge with a resident, they can encourage the tenant to seek help by referring them to NYC 988 to identify mental health provider organizations and services by geographic location. The landlord can also call NYC 988 to speak with a counselor if a tenant does not seem to be getting the help they need, or symptoms worsen. Depending on the situation, NYC 988 may recommend sending a Mobile Crisis Team to visit the resident or facilitate a referral to a Short-term Mental Health Crisis Residence. Click here for a full list of mental health and substance use resources guides, palm cards, and flyers.
OCSS Offers Parents Ways to Reduce DSS Child Support Debt Through the Parent Success Program
Overwhelming debt can make it harder for parents to better support their child. To help, the Office of Child Support Services (OCSS) offers the Parent Success Program, one of several debt reduction programs available to noncustodial parents who owe child support debt to the Department of Social Services (DSS).
The OCSS Parent Success Program offers parents two ways to reduce their child support debt owed to the Department of Social Services (DSS) by up to $7500. Parents can participate in either a DSS employment program or a drug treatment program. By participating in one of these Parent Success Program options, parents can take a significant step towards financial relief.
Parent Success Employment Program
A parent, whose child is or was in receipt of Cash Assistance, is eligible to have their DSS child support debut reduced by up to $7500 when they:
- are enrolled in a DSS employment program (such as Parent Support Program, Jobs-Plus, or an OCSS job training partner program);
- obtains a new job,
- reports it to their employment program; and
- makes consistent child support payments through their employer for at least 90 days.
Parents don’t need to apply for the reduction; the Office of Child Support Services will reduce their debt based on data provided by the employment program and child support program records. To learn more about the OCSS Parent Success Program’s Employment option, refer to the Employment Frequently Asked Questions.
Parent Success Drug Treatment Program
Another pathway to lower DSS child support debt is through the OCSS Parents Success Program’s Drug Treatment option. To qualify, parents must complete a drug treatment program certified by the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) and approved by NYC Human Resources Administration. Upon completion, parents must submit their certificate or letter from the program provider to OCSS. Once OCSS receives the documentation and verifies that the parent qualifies, OCSS will notify the parent that the debt owed to DSS has been reduced. To learn more, visit the Drug Treatment Frequent Asked Questions.
Children thrive when both parents are actively involved in their lives. The OCSS Parent Success Program gives parents two options to reduce the child support debt they owe to DSS. The result? Parents are better equipped to enhance their own lives and support their children. Please share this link with your clients so they can learn more about the Parent Success Program and other debt reduction programs offered by OCSS.
| 
