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Program Services Background:
SNAP
The SNAP Center provides assistance to walk-in applicants and clients, collects requested documentation to establish eligibility and assists clients with questions and issues pertaining to case status, household composition, and benefit levels.
We encourage clients to avoid unnecessary trips to our offices by using our remote or online services through ACCESS HRA to complete and submit SNAP and Cash Assistance (CA) applications and recertifications, submit supporting documentation, manage their case, and receive case information. To use our On-Demand Telephone Interview service, clients can call (718) SNAP-NOW.
Those who still prefer to visit us in person can now go to any of our centers. No matter which location they choose, HRA staff are on site to help them use self-service scanners and computers to submit SNAP forms. HRA staff are also on site to answer questions and accept paper SNAP Application/Recertification forms if they prefer.
Fair Fares
Fair Fares NYC is a City program created to help low-income New Yorkers with their transportation costs by providing a 50 percent discount off NYCT subways and eligible buses, or Access-a-Ride paratransit trips. The office location provides customer assistance with application completion and information updates, as well as Fair Fares Discount card replacement.
The Brooklyn borough application center serves Fair Fares clients citywide and can serve up to 200 clients daily. The current program enrollment exceeds 300,000 participants.
Medical Assistance Program
HRA’s Medical Assistance Program (MAP) administers the Medicaid program for disabled, aged and blind residents of New York City. This includes accepting and processing applications and renewals, and performing undercare actions, such as adding a new household member or changing a home address. There is rarely a need to visit a community office as nearly all MAP business can be accomplished by mail, fax or phone.
Family Services Call Center – Brooklyn Satellite
The Family Services Call Center – Brooklyn Satellite is responsible for reevaluating families’ eligibility for Cash Assistance, Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
2024-2025 HEAP Home Energy Repair and Replacement and Clean and Tune Closed on May 9, 2025
The 2024-25 Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) Home Energy Repair and Replacement (HERR) and Clean and Tune (C&T) benefit components closed on Friday, May 9, 2025, at 5:00pm. Mail-in applications postmarked on or before the deadline will be processed.
For individuals seeking help with heating equipment repair and replacement after the deadline has passed, they may have their needs met under Family Assistance (FA), Safety Net Assistance (SNA), Emergency Assistance to Families (EAF), and Emergency Assistance to Adults (EAA) if they apply and are found eligible.
2024-2025 HEAP Cooling Assistance Benefit Opened on April 15, 2025
As a reminder, the application period for the 2024-2025 Cooling Assistance benefit opened on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, and will operate until the beginning of June or until funding is exhausted, whichever comes first. OTDA will provide an update on a definitive closing date based on program spending. Applications for the Cooling Assistance benefit can be submitted electronically through ACCESS HRA, in-person, or by phone. Paper applications can be downloaded from our HEAP webpage.
Eligible households receive a cooling benefit of up to $800 for the purchase and installation of a fan, window unit, or air conditioner, or up to $1,000 for a wall sleeve unit. If an air conditioning unit cannot be installed safely, a fan will be provided.
Benefits are provided on a first come first served basis to eligible applicants. Applicants are only eligible for a Cooling Assistance Benefit once every five years. Visit our HEAP webpage for more information on the Cooling Assistance benefit.
The DSS Office of Community Outreach offers a HEAP Webinar for community-based providers who are interested in learning more about HEAP heating and cooling benefits and how to complete a HEAP application. Click here to register for an upcoming session.
NYC Public School Child Care & Early Education Guide
The childcare guide, which includes information about seeking childcare for parents, is available in multiple languages and includes the following information:
- Understanding types of childcare programs offered
- Choosing a program based on child eligibility
- Confirming if there is an open seat for the child
- Steps to enrolling the child in a program
The guide can be accessed here.
Public Benefits Survey – Childhood Poverty Reduction Advisory Council (CPRAC)
The Public Benefits Survey has been reopened for the foreseeable future so that we can continue to receive input from New Yorkers who use our programs. This survey is intended to give New Yorkers who’ve applied for/received SNAP, PA, and/or SSI an opportunity to provide feedback on their experiences. The survey is brief and should only take a few minutes.
To access the survey, please click here.
Updated survey flyers with QR codes can be accessed here to help promote and share with your clients.
The results of this survey will help guide the Child Poverty Reduction Advisory Council (CPRAC) on creating and prioritizing five policy proposal packages that could achieve a 50% reduction in child poverty, as well as address housing costs in New York. The Childhood Poverty Reduction Advisory Council (CPRAC) is tasked with reducing childhood poverty by 50% by 2032.
All of the proposed packages include child tax credit increases, as well as public benefits reforms such as the establishment of a State-funded food benefit targeted to New Yorkers unable to receive SNAP. Four of the five packages include more inclusive housing vouchers, which the Housing Committee has identified as their top priority. The fifth package also includes the inclusive housing vouchers, and a renter’s credit proposal.
To learn more, visit Child Poverty Reduction Advisory Council | OTDA (ny.gov)
If you’re interested in the live webcasts of the agency's public meetings, click here.
DSS Office of Community Outreach Trainings & Event Requests
Community Partner Trainings and Presentations
The DSS Office of Community Outreach offers specialized training and presentations tailored for staff, advocates, and volunteers working across community-based organizations, elected officials' offices, and municipal agencies. These sessions are held multiple times a month, offering flexible scheduling options. The OCO currently offers the following trainings:
- ACCESS HRA General Overview Webinar
- ACCESS HRA Provider Portal Webinar
- ACCESS HRA Benefit Application Webinar
- CityFHEPS Program Overview and Renewal Application Webinar
- DSS Overview Webinar
- Electronic Benefit Theft and Replacement Claim Process Webinar
- Fair Fares Program Overview and Application Webinar
- Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) Webinar
- IDNYC Program Overview and Document Requirement Webinar
- Medicaid and Medicare Savings Program Overview and Application Webinar
- Medicaid Renewal Process Webinar
Click here to view training descriptions and register for an upcoming virtual session.
Organizations interested in requesting any of the trainings listed above specifically for their staff (10 or more) should complete and submit the DSS Training Request Form and someone will be in touch to schedule. Contact CommunityEducation@dss.nyc.gov if you have any questions or encounter issues submitting the form.
Community Partner Event Requests
The DSS Office of Community Outreach (OCO) welcomes requests to participate in events hosted by community partner organizations. Please complete and submit the Community Partner Event Attendance Request Form to request DSS presence at your event and the Outreach Events unit will follow-up on a first come, first serve basis to arrange for DSS representation. Contact OutreachEvents@dss.nyc.gov if you have any questions or encounter issues submitting the form.
Resources/Helpful Links:
ACCESS HRA Client Portal: ACCESS HRA is an online benefits portal and mobile app for New York City residents. With ACCESS HRA, clients can apply or recertify for many HRA benefits, manage their case(s), and much more. Clients can also submit and keep track of documents for their application(s) using the NYC ACCESS HRA mobile app.
ACCESS HRA Help Desk/Online Support: For answers benefit/site-related questions, use the Contact Us form linked or email: accesshrahelpdesk@dss.nyc.gov.
ACCESS HRA Technical Support: For technical issues with ACCESS HRA, email: accesshrasuppapp@dss.nyc.gov. In the message, please include a screenshot of the error, a description of the issue and the ACCESS HRA username.
ACCESS HRA Provider Portal: a provider-facing website that allows clients to grant permission to community-based organizations providing direct social services benefit enrollment assistance and/or ongoing case management to New Yorkers in receipt of HRA-administered benefits. To learn more, visit the Provider Tools section of the DSS/HRA website. If you’d like to request access to the Provider Portal, please begin with submitting an expression of interest via the ‘Interested in Joining the ACCESSHRA Provider Portal?’ form.
Design and Print Ordering System (DPOS): Community Partners interested in ordering outreach materials (in bulk and delivered free of charge) from HRA and are ordering for the first time, should email DPOS Customer Service at DPOSCustomerService@dss.nyc.gov to have their organization/agency registered in the system. Once completed, the requestor will receive an email with a link to create an account, allowing their organization/agency the ability to order from HRA's catalog.
Organizations and agencies with already existing DPOS accounts, should log into their account using the appropriate link below:
DSS Disability Access: HRA can help by providing supports or accommodations to client’s with disabilities to make getting the services they need easier. This type of help is called a reasonable accommodation. Click here to learn more about how to request one.
DSS Office of Community Outreach (OCO) Virtual Training Sign-Up: Intended for community-based organizations, elected officials and their staff, and other municipal agencies. These trainings are conducted multiple times per month and allow for flexible scheduling. Use the DSS Training Request Form if interested in requesting a training session specifically for your organization (for groups of 10 or more).
DSS OneNumber (formerly Infoline): 718-557-1399
DSS/HRA Provider Tools & Supports
DSS - HRA - DHS Webpages
EBT Customer Service Helpline: 1-888-328-6399
ebtEDGE: Cardholder portal and mobile application that allows clients to manage their EBT cards, check their balances/transactions, change their PIN, lock/unlock/replace their cards and more!
Find a Partner Organization: Includes Community-Based Organizations who can help complete applications and screen applicants for eligibility to the various programs. Some locations also assist with submitting documents to DSS electronically. Contact the organizations listed for more information.
NYC 311: Non-emergency municipal services are available online, by texting 311-692, or by calling 3-1-1 from within the City or 212-NEW-YORK outside the five boroughs. TTY service is also available by dialing 212-504-4115.
Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA): responsible for supervising programs that provide assistance and support to eligible families and individuals. OTDA’s functions include: Providing temporary cash assistance; providing assistance in paying for food; providing heating assistance; overseeing New York State’s child support enforcement program; determining certain aspects of eligibility for Social Security Disability benefits; supervising homeless housing and services programs; and providing assistance to certain immigrant populations.
Sign up for important updates from DSS/HRA: If you received this newsletter by way of a partner organization or colleague and have yet to sign up on your own, click here to receive relevant resources, agency updates, and opportunities that may interest you and the communities you serve.
Thank you for your ongoing partnership, and for all that you do every day to help New Yorkers in need.
Sincerely,
Office of Community Outreach
NYC Department of Social Services
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