DSS-HRA-DHS Updates
Community-wide Conference Call
If you were not able to join our last Quarterly call on March 5, 2024, please find an audio recording here and use Passcode: @v6JW0x+ to listen.
IDNYC Program Overview and Document Requirement Webinar
IDNYC is a free, municipal photo identification card for all New York City residents ages 10 and up, regardless of their immigration status. It is for use in the five boroughs and provides access to a wide variety of services and programs offered by the City. IDNYC cardholders enjoy benefits and discounts offered by businesses and cultural institutions across the five boroughs. It can be used as a public library card, to access immunization records, and to open a bank account at select financial institutions. Please note: IDNYC does not provide work authorization, nor does it impact immigration status.
To support IDNYC in its messaging and share necessary operational, enrollment and program updates, the DSS Office of Community Outreach (OCO) is pleased to offer ongoing virtual IDNYC Program Overview and Document Requirement Webinars to our community partners, advocacy organizations, municipal agencies and elected official offices. This training will provide an overview of the IDNYC program, the requirements needed to ensure applicants meet the criteria for applying for an IDNYC card, as well as a live walkthrough of the IDNYC Document Calculator.
If you’re a community-based organization, municipal agency, or staffer for an Elected official, please click here to register for an upcoming session. We encourage all community partners to attend this training to familiarize themselves with the IDNYC program and document requirements to ensure applicants have taken the necessary steps to successfully obtain identification.
As with any of our training offerings, organizations interested in requesting a dedicated training for ten or more staff members should submit their requests via the DSS Training Request Form. The DSS Office of Community Engagement will follow up with interested organizations on a first-come, first-served basis, and will accommodate training requests pending availability.
Option to Select Sex Designation of “X”
All applicants and participants will now have the option of selecting “X” as a sex designation on their CA, SNAP, and Medicaid application or recertification form as well as request to change their current designation in HRA systems. ACCESS HRA has been updated to provide this option and all paper application kits have been updated to include new versions of state forms. Application types impacted are:
Cash Assistance:
- CA Initial Application
- CA Recertification
- CA Case Change – Add New Household Member
SNAP:
- SNAP Initial Application
- SNAP Recertification
- SNAP Case Change – Add New Household Member
- SNAP Periodic – Add New Household Member
Medicaid:
- MA Initial Application
- MSP Application
- MA Renewal
Note: The addition of the ‘X’ option for Sex was previously implemented for HEAP Regular applications in Release 7.5 in December 2023.
EBT Skimming Replacement Benefits Deadline Extension
The Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) has further extended the deadline for submission of claims for replacement benefits from households impacted by electronic benefit theft. The date for submitting retroactive claims has now been extended until April 1, 2024. The following households are eligible to submit claims:
- Replacement benefit claims for SNAP benefits stolen between October 1, 2022, and August 20, 2023, and Cash Assistance benefits stolen between January 1, 2022, and August 20, 2023 (retroactive claims) can now be submitted through April 1, 2024. The original retroactive claim form deadline was extended from October 31, 2023, to December 31, 2023, and has now been extended to April 1, 2024.
- All other claim forms must be submitted within 30 days from the date the household discovered the theft.
HRA clients who are believed to be victims of EBT skimming and experienced a possible theft during the date ranges referenced above, have been issued a mailer (HRA-210b What To Do If Your Benefits Were Skimmed) informing them of the updated deadline to file a claim.
Note: Households whose SNAP benefits were stolen between October 1, 2022, and August 20, 2023, or TA cash benefits stolen between January 1, 2022, and August 20, 2023, who do not submit their claims before April 1, 2024, still have the option to apply for replacement as long as the claim is submitted within 30 days from the date the household discovered the theft.
This updated replacement benefit claim submission deadline is effective retroactively to January 1, 2024. Submissions for retroactive claim reimbursement submitted on or after the previous deadline will be considered against this new deadline. Any retroactive claims denied for untimely filing during this time will be reconsidered. Retroactive claims that were rejected for untimeliness will be automatically reconsidered against the new deadline. These clients do not need to resubmit.
If clients submitted a retro claim and it was rejected for a different reason, it will not be automatically re-evaluated, and clients will have to resubmit.
As a reminder, when obtaining transaction history online, both OTDA and HRA recommend relying on ConnectEBT to obtain this information instead of third-party applications. When assisting clients with submitting their claims, please confirm that the correct date information is entered. Additionally, when completing their replacement benefit claims, clients must use the “Transaction” date and NOT the “Settlement” date. Submitted claims with this error may result in rejection or approval of a very low benefit amount.
If clients need assistance submitting their claims or have questions about the overall process, community-based organizations across the city can help. For more information on the assistance available or to schedule an appointment, clients should contact their preferred local organization at the phone numbers provided in the links at the bottom of our Benefit Replacement page.
2023-24 Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP): Revised Regular and Emergency Benefit Closing Dates and Second Emergency Benefit
The dates of operation for the 2023-2024 Regular and Emergency benefit components have been extended from March 15, 2024 to April 12, 2024, or until funds allocated to this component are exhausted, whichever comes first. In addition to the program extensions, a second HEAP Emergency benefit for heat and heat-related emergencies is available effective immediately.
Emergency benefits are available to assist eligible households with a heating emergency or a heat-related domestic emergency. Only one Emergency benefit of each type is available per HEAP household for the 2023-2024 program year. Regular component benefits, if available, must be utilized first to resolve heating emergencies for eligible households. Temporary relocation for housing emergencies and propane tank deposits to obtain new propane vendors are also available under the Emergency benefit component.
To apply for an Emergency HEAP benefit, applicants can call 718-557-1399 or visit a HEAP BAC location.
Note: Emergency HEAP benefit applicants will not be able to apply on ACCESS HRA.
For more information, including detailed eligibility requirements, click here.
ConnectALL - NYS Broadband Initiative
ConnectALL is an initiative of Governor Hochul’s to close the New York State’s remaining digital divide. Connectivity helps New Yorkers go to school, work remotely, find a job, start a business, access healthcare, and communicate with loved ones. Access to high-speed broadband in our digital economy is as essential as having heat, clean water, and reliable electricity.
Because programs serving vulnerable populations play a critical role in helping New Yorkers access the internet, and are considered to be Community Anchor Institutions (CAIs), ConnectALL is asking for your organization to participate in the NYS Broadband Challenge Process by registering as an “eligible challenger.” If your organization has an IT designee or team, you may want to ask them to take this on.
Why it’s Important to Register as an Eligible Challenger
- Beginning March 19th, you can check to see if the broadband location map includes your organization’s location(s) as a Community Anchor Institution (CAI) and submit a challenge if not on the map. CAIs that are on the map may be prioritized for new or enhanced internet service.
- You can also challenge if the internet speeds your location(s) receive as reflected in the map are accurate based on a speed test. If your organization is on the map and confirmed to have internet speeds below 1 gigabit symmetrical, your organization’s location(s) could receive new internet service through the ConnectALL Deployment Program. 1 gigabit symmetrical service will allow for:
- Videoconferencing
- Faster downloading and uploading for file transfers
- Streaming to multiple devices
- Better support across all users and devices
Use the New York State Broadband Challenge Portal to register now for the formal challenge process. For more information on the challenge process, click here.
DSS Office of Community Outreach Trainings & Event Requests
The DSS Office of Community Outreach (OCO) offers trainings and presentations to 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. 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
- EBT Skimming and Replacement Benefits 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
Click here to view training descriptions and register for an upcoming 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. The DSS Outreach unit will follow-up with organizations to confirm their training requests on a first come, first serve basis. Contact CommunityEducation@dss.nyc.gov with any questions about training or issues submitting the form.
DSS Community Partner Event Requests
The DSS 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.
