ADVOCACY TIPS FOR OCTOBER |
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ONE
OTDA is currently processing eligible ERAP applications submitted through August 31, 2022. Although some towns (such as Town of Brookhaven) have spent their allocated ERAP funds, residents in all towns can still apply for ERAP through the OTDA portal. Although the application may not be approved due to lack of funds, any eviction proceeding should be stayed if there is a pending ERAP application until there is a final decision including going through any appeals process. Town of Islip, Hempstead, and Oyster Bay have a separate portal where residents can apply. The Town of Oyster Bay's ERAP program has reopened! For the New York State Program, applications from subsidized housing tenants whose rent is limited to a certain percentage of income (e.g. section 8) are not currently able to be paid. State law requires that these applications be paid after all other eligible applicants have been reviewed and paid. Therefore, at this time, none of the subsidized housing applications can be paid regardless of the date their application was submitted. For the Oyster Bay and Hempstead programs, subsidized housing tenants may apply but only to the extent of the tenant paid portion of the rent and utilities that remains after adjustment by the subsidy provider for changes to household income. Long Island residents with rental and utility arrears should apply now for assistance before the funds run out. If you receive a decision on your ERAP application that you disagree with, make sure to appeal within thirty (30) days by calling 844-691-7368 or filling out the OTDA online application form. To apply and determine eligibility, visit the OTDA website.
Residents of Hempstead
ERAP program is currently not accepting applications. For more information or to sign up for notifications when the application portal opens, call 631-435-4710 or email hempsteaderap@lihp.org.
Residents of Islip
Residents of Oyster Bay
Other Long Island Towns
OTHER RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
Suffolk and Nassau County DSS- The Department of Social Services has programs available to provide help with receiving shelter or rent arrears to prevent homelessness. Please visit https://otda.ny.gov/workingfamilies/dss.asp to find the contact information for your local Department of Social Services.
Project Anchor- Homelessness Prevention Network-Suffolk County Only- Do you owe rent & are at risk of losing your housing? Do you think you may have to go to a shelter? Reach out before you are forced out of your home. Free Services include: Case Management/Advocacy; Benefits Counseling; Employment Services; Landlord/Tenant Mediation; Community Referrals; and Financial assistance with rental and utility arrears for those who qualify. Contact Project Anchor Monday – Friday 8:30am-4:30pm at 646-370-9153 or email projectanchor@helpusa.org.
Nassau Suffolk Law Services, in partnership with Empire Justice Center, can now assist Nassau and Suffolk residential tenants with housing-related legal problems (like eviction) and a household income of up to 80% of the Area Median Income. Services are available through this partnership regardless of immigration status. Please call the office closest to you to see if you are eligible for legal services. Interpreters are available. Suffolk residents west of 112 can call 631-232-2400 and east of 112 can call 631-369-1112. Nassau residents can call 516-292-8100. Feel free to share our flyer in both English, Spanish, and Haitian-Creole
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TWO
The 2022-2023 Regular Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) benefit is scheduled to open on November 1, 2022. If you are eligible, you may receive one regular HEAP benefit per program year to help you pay for heating your home. The type of assistance does not have to be paid back. The 2022-2023 Emergency benefit is scheduled to open on January 3, 2023. If you are eligible, the Emergency HEAP Benefit can help you heat your home if you are in a heat or heat related emergency. This type of assistance must be paid back. To learn more, visit OTDA's website on HEAP.
NSLS' Public Benefits Unit provides legal assistance to persons who experience problems with public benefits programs which are administered by the local Departments of Social Services, including:
- Welfare (TANF and Safety Net)
- Medicaid
- Food Stamps (SNAP)
- Child Care Assistance
- HEAP
- Emergency shelter for the homeless
- Unemployment insurance appeals and overpayments
- Other emergency assistance programs
We also assist low-income households in establishing Supplemental Needs Trusts to eliminate the Medicaid spend-down and assist homeless families to obtain rent supplements from DSS to enable families to leave the shelters or retain permanent housing. Suffolk residents west of 112 can call 631-232-2400 and east of 112 can call 631-369-1112. Nassau residents can call 516-292-8100.
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THREE
FHFA Adopts New Credit Scoring Models for Mortgages, Benefitting Vulnerable Consumers: The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced the approval of new credit scoring models for use by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac – changes that will benefit millions of potential homeowners. The FHFA approved both the FICO 10T credit score model and the VantageScore 4.0 credit score models, replacing the 20 year old “classic” FICO model. In a fact sheet accompanying the announcement, FHFA says the new credit score models will provide the GSEs more accurate information on a borrower’s credit and expand access to mortgage credit to worthy borrowers. Both FICO 10T and VantageScore 4.0 include payment information not often included in older credit score models, including payment history for rent, utilities, and phone/internet services.
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FOUR
Medicaid recipients be on alert! The Public Health Emergency has been extended until January 11, 2023. One of the many moratoriums in place during the Covid-19 pandemic has been the moratorium on banning case closings and reductions of coverage for Medicaid recipients. Now that the PHE has been extended, the continuous enrollment requirement would end on January 31, 2023 with the first disenrollments effective February 1, 2023. The most recent guidance of CMS clarified that states may initiate the first batch of renewals the month before the PHE ends. This means states could begin processing renewals as of December 2022. States are required to conduct a full renewal, according to regulation, for everyone based on current circumstances before disenrolling anyone.
NSLS' Public Benefits Unit provides legal assistance to persons who experience problems with public benefits programs which are administered by the local Departments of Social Services, including:
- Welfare (TANF and Safety Net)
- Medicaid
- Food Stamps (SNAP)
- Child Care Assistance
- HEAP
- Emergency shelter for the homeless
- Unemployment insurance appeals and overpayments
- Other emergency assistance programs
We also assist low-income households in establishing Supplemental Needs Trusts to eliminate the Medicaid spend-down and assist homeless families to obtain rent supplements from DSS to enable families to leave the shelters or retain permanent housing. Suffolk residents west of 112 can call 631-232-2400 and east of 112 can call 631-369-1112. Nassau residents can call 516-292-8100.
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FIVE
Update on Pandemic EBT Food Benefits. New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) will continue issuing the emergency benefits at least through February 2023. All New York households enrolled in SNAP will receive the maximum allowable level of food benefits for October 2022 through February 2023. Households already near or at the maximum benefit level — $939 for a household of four — will receive a supplemental payment of at least $95.
New York State continues to distribute Pandemic EBT food benefits to all households with eligible children who receive free school lunch under the National School Lunch Act. Here are important updates to the distribution as of October 31st, 2022:
- OTDA continues to distribute Summer 2021 P-EBT food benefits to eligible students. Each eligible student will receive $375 in Summer 2021 P-EBT food benefits.
- Nearly all eligible children throughout the state, who had their in-person attendance reduced during the 2020-21 school year due to the pandemic have been issued their P-EBT food benefits.
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You can check your family's P-EBT food benefit transaction history by visiting www.connectebt.com or by calling 1-888-328-6399. For other P-EBT related questions, please call the P-EBT Food Benefits Helpline at 1-833-452-0096.
NSLS' Public Benefits Unit provides legal assistance to persons who experience problems with public benefits programs which are administered by the local Departments of Social Services, including:
- Welfare (TANF and Safety Net)
- Medicaid
- Food Stamps (SNAP)
- Child Care Assistance
- HEAP
- Emergency shelter for the homeless
- Unemployment insurance appeals and overpayments
- Other emergency assistance programs
We also assist low-income households in establishing Supplemental Needs Trusts to eliminate the Medicaid spend-down and assist homeless families to obtain rent supplements from DSS to enable families to leave the shelters or retain permanent housing. Suffolk residents west of 112 can call 631-232-2400 and east of 112 can call 631-369-1112. Nassau residents can call 516-292-8100.
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PREVIOUS LSCA TRAININGS
The Family Law Basics for Advocates LSCA training was held virtually by Supervising Attorney Larry Tuthill, Domestic Violence Unit Staff Attorney Kayla Schunk, and Family Law Unit Staff Attorney Vicky Davies on October 27th, 2022. This presentation gave an overview of the basics of common family law topics including custody, support and orders of protection and where you or your clients can go for more help. Please register to view the training.
The Navigating Special Education in New York LSCA training was held virtually by Danielle Leake, Education and Disability Rights Unit Staff Attorney, on September 8th, 2022. Ms. Leake gave a general overview of both federal and state special education laws, as well as provide a step-by-step guide on how to navigate and secure special education services for students with disabilities in New York State. Please register to view the training.
The Role of An Advocate LSCA training was held virtually by Cathy Lucidi, Director of Community Relations on June 9th, 2022 providing tools and tips on how to be the most effective advocate you can be. Please register to view the training.
The Accessing Healthcare and Preventing Medical Debt LSCA training was held virtually on April 28th, 2022 by Nassau Suffolk Law Services Supervising Attorney Sharon Campo and the Health and Welfare Council. The presentation discussed how to apply for healthcare (including Medicaid), what to do when you are denied health insurance or your health insurance denies a claim, the new Surprise Bill Law, and how to handle medical debt collection. Please register to view the training.
The Post Foreclosure Options LSCA training was held virtually by Kathy Maher, Foreclosure Unit Staff Attorney, on March 31st, 2022. Ms. Maher discussed actions to take if you are assisting someone who is at risk of foreclosure or is already in court for a foreclosure. This presentation is appropriate for attorneys and advocates alike. Due to technical difficulties, a recording of this presentation is not available. Please register to download the presentation slides.
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If your organization is interested in having Nassau Suffolk Law Services present on what services we provide or a specific area of law, please contact the Legal Support Center for Advocates at 631-232-2400 extension 3324 (advocates only). |
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UPCOMING CLINICS, EVENTS, AND
LEGAL HELP RESOURCES
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Suffolk County Pro Bono Project is hosting a free legal clinic for Veterans. This event will take place on Thursday, November 3rd, 2022 from 11:00am-3:00pm. NSLS Veterans' unit will be available to provide legal assistance. Email vets@scba.org with your name and phone number to schedule an appointment for November 3rd between 11:00am – 3:00pm. Please see the flyer for this event.
NSLS Nassau Re-Entry Unit will be hosting its next RAP sheet clinic on November 1st between 2 and 4pm and November 4th between 10am and 1pm. Re-entry services are available to those who have a criminal record. If eligible, these re-entry services can make it easier for you to be employed, obtain credit, and/or find housing. NSLS staff is available to access, review, and verify your RAP sheet (also known as a criminal history record) to determine eligibility. Space is limited. Call (516) 292-8100 to reserve a 15-minute session.
Upcoming Community Legal Help Project dates
Our Community Legal Help Project will be at the Brentwood Public Library and the Middle Country Public Library (Selden) on the below dates. Appointments are preferred but walk-ins are welcome. To make an appointment or for other legal issues not listed, please call our hotline at (631) 822-3272
For November at the Brentwood Public Library (34 Second Ave., Brentwood, NY 11717):
Tuesday 11/1/22 2-5pm
- Attorney will be available to see Suffolk residents on Family or Criminal related legal issues.
Tuesday 11/15/22 2-5pm-
- Attorney will be available to see Suffolk residents over 60 in the areas of housing and utility issues, income/nutrition/benefits, health/long term care and advanced care directives, and consumer related legal issues.
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Attorney will be available to see Suffolk residents on Family or Criminal related legal issues.
Tuesday 11/22/22 2-5pm-
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Attorney will be available to see Suffolk residents on Family or Criminal related legal issues.
Tuesday 11/29/22 2-5pm-
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Attorney(s) will be available to see Suffolk residents on Family, Immigration, Matrimonial, or Criminal related legal issues.
For November at Middle Country Public Library in Selden (575 Middle Country Rd., Selden, NY 11720):
Thursday 11/3/22 3-6pm
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Attorney will be available to see Suffolk residents on Family or Criminal related legal issues.
Thursday 11/10/22 3-6pm
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Attorney will be available to see Suffolk residents on Family or Criminal related legal issues.
- Attorney will be available to see Suffolk residents with bankrupcty and mortgage foreclosure questions
Thursday 11/17/22 3-6pm-
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Attorney will be available to see Suffolk residents over 60 in the areas of housing and utility issues, income/nutrition/benefits, health/long term care and advanced care directives, and consumer related legal issues.
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Attorney will be available to see Suffolk residents on Family or Criminal related legal issues.
- Attorney will be available to see Suffolk residents with bankrupcty
For more information, please see our flyer. The Community Legal Help Project is seeking volunteer attorneys with experience in matrimonial, family, and immigration law to give half hour consultation during our library hours. If you are interested, please email us today!
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Are you looking to give back to the community while also getting paid? We would love to have you apply for our currently open attorney, bookkeeper and paralegal positions. To find out more, go to our website.
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A little more about our volunteer needs: |
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- Volunteer attorneys needed to assist pro bono clients with direct client representation in family, bankruptcy, matrimonial, and elder law
- Provide half-hour legal consultations with our Suffolk County library project in immigration, matrimonial, family, landlord/tenant, elder, consumer, and more
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- Law Student / Paralegal/ Pre-law undergraduate internships
- Assist Law Services Staff with intake, case analysis, case referral, and recruitment of volunteer attorneys
- Nassau County Volunteer Landlord/ Tenant Attorney for a Day
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LET’S REBUILD LONG ISLAND COMMUNITIES TOGETHER |
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OUR MISSION
NSLS is committed to helping people in need vindicate their rights under the law. We provide free legal services in thousands of civil cases each year as well as legal support to community advocates to ensure that low income, disabled and disadvantaged individuals have equal access to the civil justice system on Long Island.
JOIN OUR LOYAL SUPPORTERS AND DONATE TO LAW SERVICES
TO PROMOTE ACCESS TO JUSTICE.
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NASSAU SUFFOLK LAW SERVICES
631 232-2400 | 516 292-8100 | 631 369-1112
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