DSS-HRA-DHS Updates
Community Partners Calls
If you were not able to join our last quarterly call on March 3rd, 2026, please find an audio recording of it here. Passcode: =%5K0f6Q to listen.
Community Partners Updates
Important updates as well as an ongoing synopsis of the information shared in prior communications are on the 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.
Changes to SNAP Eligibility for Non-Citizens under H.R.1
On April 1, the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Affairs (OTDA) issued guidance entitled "Changes to SNAP Eligibility for Non-Citizens under H.R.1--Preliminary Guidance" providing instructions effective immediately on how to implement new changes to SNAP eligibility as dictated in H.R.1. According to the new guidance, SNAP eligibility for noncitizens will be more limited than it has been in the past, and some groups who were previously eligible to receive SNAP will no longer be eligible. The new eligibility changes apply to those who are submitting new benefits applications or recertifying existing benefits cases – there will not be any changes to benefits received as a result of this guidance outside of those points.
Under the new SNAP eligibility rules, the only noncitizens who will be eligible to receive SNAP are:
1. Lawful permanent residents (LPRs) who either:
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Have more than 5 years in qualified status;
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Are under 18 years old;
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Have earned or can be credited with more than 40 qualifying quarters;
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Are in receipt of certain disability benefits; or
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Are currently in a qualified status and were age 65 or older on 8/22/96 and were lawfully residing in the U.S. on that date.
2. Citizens of the Freely Associated States (the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau) lawfully residing in the U.S. under the Compacts of Free Association;
3. Cuban/Haitian Entrants
4. Lawful permanent residents who do not have any of the above criteria but who have entered or adjusted status based on an immigration status recognized by the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA). These statuses include:
- Refugees
- Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) recipients
- Ukrainian parolees paroled into the U.S. between 2/24/2022 and 9/30/2024
- Afghan parolees paroled into the U.S. between 7/31/2021 and 9/30/2023
- Asylees
- Victims of human trafficking
- Individuals admitted to the United States as an Amerasian immigrant
- Grantees of withholding of removal
- Certain Hmong or Highland Laotian tribal members
- Certain American Indians born abroad
- Active Military or Veterans, if also holding status as an LPR and meeting the associated military criteria listed
Individuals with the following immigration statuses, who do NOT have any other immigration statuses had previously been potentially eligible to receive SNAP, but are no longer eligible to receive SNAP unless/until they become a lawful permanent resident and meet the relevant criteria:
- Refugees
- Asylees
- Ukrainian parolees paroled into the U.S. between 2/24/2022 and 9/30/2024
- Afghan parolees paroled into the U.S. between 7/31/2021 and 9/30/2023
- Victims of Human Trafficking
- Grantees of withholding of removal
- Qualified battered non-citizens (including VAWA self-petitioners)
- Individuals granted humanitarian parole for one year or longer
- Certain Hmong or Highland Laotian tribal members
- Individuals admitted to the United States as an Amerasian immigrant
- Certain American Indians born abroad
- Active Military or Veterans
SNAP ABAWD Outreach Available for Community Events
On March 1, 2026, the new Able Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) work requirements went into effect for those in receipt of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, and the Department of Social Services (DSS) is committed to ensuring that every new and existing SNAP applicant is screened for any applicable exemptions. DSS will actively identify these participants at the time of application, recertification, submission of periodic report, or change request submitted through ACCESS HRA.
As part of DSS’s commitment to ascertain that no client is adversely affected by the new work requirements, DSS, through the Office of Community Outreach, would like to support you in these efforts. To ensure that your clients receive timely and accurate information about ABAWD work requirements, the Office of Community Outreach can assign staff members to an already planned event, or partner with you to share these important updates.
Planned Events
DSS can assign 1-2 Outreach staff (more as needed depending on size of event) to your existing event to provide 1:1 assistance to clients. Staff can help individuals understand the new SNAP work requirements, identify next steps to remain compliant, and provide information on how to submit the exemption form.
If your organization is interested in this kind of support, please confirm using this form that your venue can host 1-2 DSS staff members. The space should also include tables and, ideally, though not required, an outlet to connect an agency device (i.e., laptop).
New Events
DSS Outreach would welcome the opportunity to partner with your organization to inform community members about the new SNAP work requirements. Our team can help individuals understand their ABAWD status, identify their PACE provider, and provide guidance on how to submit an exemption form, if applicable.
We would rely on your organization to host 2–3 DSS Outreach staff and provide an appropriate space to conduct these consultations.
Next Steps
If you would like the DSS community outreach team to staff your event, you can request assistance by completing this form, and someone from our team will be in touch with you soon. Please note that we will consider events on a rolling basis.
If you have any questions, please reach out to us at outreachevents@dss.nyc.gov.
New Client Notice for SNAP Work Rules Non-Compliance
The FIA-1251A (Strike Notice) is being issued to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants who are subject to the Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) work requirements and do not comply with the work rules. Clients who are deemed ABAWD will receive this notice for any of the three countable months that they do not comply.
The notice will remind clients that they are allowed three months during a three-year period to receive SNAP benefits without following the work rules. HRA will count each month that they do not meet the work rules toward the three-month limit. The SNAP recipient’s benefits are not changing because of this notice, but if this is their third month of not meeting the work rules, they will receive a separate notice letting them know that their SNAP benefits will stop as a result.
If a client has received this notice, to continue to get SNAP benefits, they will need to begin to meet the work requirements or prove that they are excused from the requirements. They should contact their PACE provider or call 718-SNAP-NOW (718-762-7669) to discuss their options.
Strike Notices for noncompliance in March began issuing in April. Notices are sent by mail and are also available electronically through clients’ ACCESS HRA accounts.
Treatment of Department of Public Service (DPS) Energy Affordability Guarantee (EAG) Pilot Program Benefits for the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and Cash Assistance (CA)
Effective immediately, the information below outlines how HRA will treat the Department of Public Service (DPS) Energy Affordability Guarantee (EAG) when determining eligibility for the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and Cash Assistance (CA).
The DPS EAG pilot program supports electrification and energy affordability for 1,000 income-eligible households by providing a supplemental bill credit aimed at limiting a customer’s total household electricity costs to no more than 6% of their annual income.
HEAP Implications
Benefits received under the DPS EAG are excluded from the household’s income and must not be counted in the budget when determining HEAP eligibility for Regular, Emergency, Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement (HERR), Heating Equipment Clean and Tune (C&T), and Cooling Assistance benefits. Any remaining balance from DPS EAG benefits are not considered a liquid resource for the Emergency and HERR benefit components. A household’s participation in the DPS EAG does not prevent the household from receiving any HEAP benefit if all other benefit eligibility criteria are met.
SNAP Implications
The DPS EAG benefits are issued directly to the service provider on behalf of the SNAP household and therefore are not considered as income. In accordance with federal regulation, these benefits are exempt from both the initial and ongoing SNAP eligibility determination.
CA Implications
In accordance with New York State regulations, as benefits provided under the DPS EAG are limited to the use of a specified purpose, such benefits are exempt for CA purposes and must not be considered for initial and ongoing CA eligibility determination.
NYC CoC’s 2026 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) Local Competition
The NYC Department of Social Services (DSS) is the lead agency for the NYC Continuum of Care (CoC) and serves the role of collaborative applicant in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) process. As the NYC CoC’s collaborative applicant, DSS is responsible for submitting a joint application on behalf of the entire continuum, including applications for both renewal projects and new project proposals. The NYC CoC team at DSS also plays a central role in coordinating the application process, facilitating collaboration among various stakeholders within the CoC, and ensuring compliance with HUD requirements.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is expected to release the 2026 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) on June 1, 2026. In preparation for the release of the 2026 NOFO, existing CoC funded projects are encouraged to:
Timeline
April 2026
- April 13 – Local Competition opens
- April 15 – Grantee Meeting (closed meeting for existing CoC funded projects)
May 2026
- May 4 – Local Competition closes
June 2026
- June 1 – 2026 NOFO released
Local Competition
On Monday, April 13, the NYC CoC launched a local competition in advance of the June 1 release of the 2026 NOFO. The competition will close on Monday, May 4.
Organizations and agencies that applied for new project funding in the NYC CoC’s 2025 Local Competition (Nov/Dec ‘25) are encouraged to re-apply through this competition. Applications submitted as part of the 2025 competition will not be considered.
Materials
Office Hours
Additional Resources
For questions regarding the 2026 NOFO, contact nyc.coc@dss.nyc.gov or visit the NYC CoC 2026 NOFO Webpage for more information.
2025–2026 Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) Update: Closure of Heating Components and Opening of Cooling Assistance
The 2025-2026 Regular benefit component and the Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement (HERR) benefit component closed on April 10, 2026, at 5pm. The Emergency benefit component closed on Friday, April 24, 2026, at 5pm. All applications submitted online, or postmarked and received on or before the deadline will be processed.
The application period for the 2025-2026 Cooling Assistance benefit opened on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. NYS OTDA will provide an update on a definitive closing date.
Applications for the Cooling Assistance benefit can be submitted electronically through ACCESS HRA, in-person at a HEAP office, or by calling the DSS OneNumber at 718-557-1399.
Eligible households may receive a cooling benefit of up to $800 for the purchase and installation of a fan or window air conditioner, or up to $1,000 for a wall sleeve unit to provide a cooling room. 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.
For additional details on the program and how to apply, visit our dedicated HEAP webpage here.
Update Regarding Relocation of 30th Street Single Men’s Intake and Adult Family Intake Center
On March 11, 2026, we shared that the 30th Street Single Men's Intake and Adult Family Intake Center (400 East 30th Street, Manhattan) would be relocating on May 1, 2026. Please note that this relocation is delayed and that Intake for Single Adult Men and Adult Family will continue at 30th Street until further notice.
If there are any questions related to this relocation, please contact DSSOutreach@dss.nyc.gov.
Help Us Spread the Word: New Women’s Intake Center
New York City closed its existing intake center for homeless women and on March 30th opened a new 60,000-square-foot facility at 114 Snediker Avenue in East New York, Brooklyn.
We need your help spreading the word about this center opening. The 60,000-square-foot site is the city’s first intake center designed to address trauma-related needs for women entering the shelter system. Key features of the building include:
- Capacity: 200 temporary beds for use during the relocation process.
- Design: An entryway mural, floor-specific color coding, and increased natural lighting.
- Accommodations: A mix of standard rooms and a limited number of private bedrooms.
The facility serves as a primary entry point where individuals are processed before being assigned to long-term shelter locations.
How to Spread the Word on the New Women’s Shelter Intake Center
One of the most important ways you can help amplify our messages is to engage with us on social media. We have created a Social Media Toolkit to help spread the word. It can be accessed here.
Resources from 2nd Annual Fatherhood Policy Symposium
The NYC Children’s Cabinet hosted their second annual symposium on April 7, 2026. Participants shared their energy, expertise, and commitment, which reflects exactly why this work matters.
We would like to provide a few resources to keep the momentum going:
Please share these resources widely with your networks. The more voices we bring into this work, the stronger it becomes.
Reminder: Child Support Mobile App
The NYC ACCESS HRA Child Support Mobile App is an easy and convenient way for parents and guardians with a child support case or who want to open one, to access child support services offered by the NYC HRA Office of Child Support Services (OCSS).
One of the most popular features is the online payments capability. Parents can pay their child support through the app using a credit card, debit card, or PayPal without incurring any fees. Two to three business days are required for payment processing.
Some of the other features of the mobile app are:
- Simplified and quick child support enrollment process
- Ability to scan and upload documents
- Ability to complete debt reduction forms that can be emailed
- Complete enforcement actions challenge forms that can be emailed
- Maintain contact information
- Access HRA appointment information
To learn more about the Child Support App, visit nyc.gov/childsupportmobile and watch tutorial videos at bit.ly/mobileapptutorials. Download the app for free from the App Store or Google Play.
Training Institute Child Support Information Sessions and Newsletter
HRA’s Office of Child Support Services (OCSS) Training Institute presents an ongoing free series of webinars designed to shed light on the sometimes-complicated aspects of child support. The webinars are designed for staff at city agencies and community-based organizations, as well as parents and professionals that work with those parents. Each presentation is held on a Tuesday from 10 AM to 11 AM and is followed by a question-and-answer period. For a full list of the free sessions January through June, click here.
If you have trouble registering for any session, please email OCSS.TrainingInstitute@dfa.state.ny.us or visit the OCSS website at https://www.nyc.gov/site/hra/help/ocss-cbos.page.
See below to view the most recent OCSS newsletters:
