July 15, 2024

Dear Community Partner,

The New York City Department of Social Services/Human Resources Administration (DSS/HRA) will resume the Conciliation/ Reengagement and Sanction processes for Cash Assistance (CA) recipients beginning July 28, 2024.

CA sanctions (reduction or termination of benefits) for failing to meet work requirements mandated by Federal and State law were in effect in New York from 1997 through 2015. These sanctions were suspended pending a change in State law, and were resumed following that change in January 2019, but under a framework that is more supportive, less punitive and seeks immediate resolution.

To protect clients and staff during the height of the COVID-19 Pandemic, DSS/HRA instituted COVID safety measures and some benefits eligibility requirements, such as the Conciliation/Reengagement and Sanction processes, were suspended. With approval from DSS/HRA’s State oversight, the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA), these remained suspended while DSS/HRA developed a new system to better facilitate the employability assessment and engagement processes required by both Federal and State laws and regulations.

DSS/HRA is required to re-institute CA sanctions for non-compliance with work-related appointments and assignments. Please note, CA recipients may resolve a sanction at any point in time by demonstrating compliance with work requirements, or by informing DSS/HRA of a reason why they are not subject to work requirements. Also, safeguards are in place to prevent a sanction, if prior to imposition, HRA’s case review finds that supportive services like childcare, transportation and reasonable accommodations were not in place and available at the time of non-compliance.

At a Conciliation/Reengagement appointment, a CA recipient will have an opportunity to:

• Appeal and demonstrate that they complied with the appointment/assignment;
• Explain reason(s) for non-compliance with work requirements, for example, by providing proof of current employment, or a health-related limitation, if that is the cause;
• Request a new work assignment; and/or
• Comply with the work requirements; or
• Request a work-requirement exemption due to health limitations.

Clients are urged to communicate timely with HRA to prevent the potential decrease or termination of their CA and SNAP benefits. If the client does not appear for a Conciliation/Reengagement appointment, they will be sanctioned. Examples of sanctions required under Federal and State law are reductions or discontinuances in CA, including certain housing subsidies, and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Note that while CA sanctions are not durational, Federal regulations do require a minimum sanction period be enforced for SNAP. This means that the sanctioned individual will remain ineligible for SNAP until the end of the sanction period and only become eligible again if they are complying with the work requirements, or if the individual becomes exempt from SNAP work requirements.

Clients will be notified about the importance of complying with work-related appointments and assignments (see attached), their upcoming appointments and activities. Before they are sanctioned, they will also receive a notice informing them of their right to request a conference with DSS/HRA and/or a Fair Hearing with NYS OTDA to prevent or remove a CA and SNAP sanction. The notice will inform them that they have 10 days before the sanction goes into effect.

Clients who have questions or concerns about their Cash Assistance or SNAP benefits and/or work requirements, can call DSS OneNumber, at 718-557-1399.

If you have any questions about the return of sanctions in relation to constituent services, please contact DSSOutreach@dss.nyc.gov.

Thank you for your ongoing partnership, and for all that you do every day to help New Yorkers in need.