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.
New York Electronic Benefit Transfer System Conversion
On Sunday, May 19, 2024, between 12:01 a.m. and 11:00 a.m., New York State’s Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) system will be unavailable as it is converted to a new EBT vendor. This is the system through which Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Cash Assistance (CA) benefits are issued. The temporary system outage will only impact EBT cardholders within New York.
During the conversion process from 12:01 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on May 19, cardholders will have no access to their EBT benefits. Access to the following will also remain unavailable until the changeover is complete:
- EBT food and cash purchases or cash withdrawals
- EBT toll-free Customer Service Helpline (888) 328-6399
- ConnectEBT Online Client Portal & Mobile App (shifted to ebtEDGE – see more below)
We highly encourage all clients to plan their EBT food, cash purchases and/or cash withdrawals accordingly. Please note: the actual outage may be shorter or last longer than expected. Check otda.ny.gov on May 19 to find out when the EBT system is back up and running.
After the conversion, all EBT cards and PIN numbers will remain the same and clients will be able to use their cards as usual. There is no need for clients to replace their cards and there will be no impact on cardholders’ ability to access medical benefits.
The EBT Customer Service Helpline will also remain the same after the transition and as usual, cardholders can call 1-888-328-6399 for help with their EBT cards.
Here’s what will change following the May 19 conversion:
- The ConnectEBT online client portal and mobile app will no longer be in use for EBT cardholders. Cardholders will need to download or access a new client portal and mobile app called ebtEDGE, which will allow them to check transactions and deposits, lock and unlock their card, and change their PIN.
- Additional information on the new ebtEDGE client portal website and mobile app will be shared when they are available.
Visit the OTDA Website for more information.
Public Hearing: Child Poverty Reduction Advisory Council
Monday, April 29, 2024 at 5:30pm
New York State’s Childhood Poverty Reduction Advisory Council (CPRAC) will convene a public hearing on April 29th, 2024, in New York City. This hearing will provide the Council with an opportunity to hear directly from New Yorkers about their experiences applying for and receiving public benefits. The hearing will focus on “administrative burdens” that New Yorkers face when applying for and receiving Public Assistance (also known as Cash Assistance or Temporary Assistance), food assistance (SNAP), and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), including but not limited to:
- Challenges completing application forms
- Understanding requirement related to each program
- Managing benefits once receiving them
- Getting help with these processes
New Yorkers interested in attending can register here. Attendees are invited to offer formal verbal statements at the public hearing. To provide time to comment for all attendees, attendees are asked to keep formal verbal statements limited to 2-3 minutes or less. Registration is not required to attend or offer statements but is encouraged. Registrants who provide an email address will receive a reminder email with public hearing details a few days before the event.
The Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance will provide a webcast of this meeting in real time on April 29, 2024. However, the public hearing will not have the capability to allow for virtual participation. The public hearing will be hosted by CPRAC co-chair and OTDA Acting Commissioner Barbara Guinn, along with other statutory members of CPRAC.
New Yorkers interested in providing feedback about experiences with public benefits can also:
The statements and feedback received from New Yorkers will help CPRAC develop recommendations to reduce child poverty by improving program access. For more information, please visit the OTDA website.
Citywide Anti-Nepotism Policy and Procedures
The Health and Human Service Vendor Compliance Cabinet recently adopted the citywide NYC Anti-Nepotism Policy and Guidance for Not-for-Profit Contractors of Human Services governing the human services standard contract provision (section 6.05 to 6.06) prohibiting anti-nepotism within a contractor's organization, contractor requirements, and penalties for non-compliance.
The Health and Human Service Vendor Compliance Cabinet was convened to discuss human service vendor integrity issues, support nonprofits by streamlining and standardizing compliance in accordance with the recommendations of the Joint Taskforce to Get Nonprofits Paid on Time and mitigate risks to the City of New York.
New York City’s Anti-Nepotism Policy is as follows:
- New York City’s standard human service contract prohibits anyone from “hold[ing] a job or position with [the] Contractor over which a member of his or her immediate family exercises any supervisory, managerial, or other authority whatsoever…” unless they have the “prior written consent of the Commissioner…”
- This prohibition is intended to prevent improper payments to family members of the Contractor’s Board of Directors, Key People and other supervisors and managers because of their familial relationships, thereby ensuring fairness, safeguarding transparency, and promoting an equitable work environment. This prohibition is also intended to prevent unqualified employees and unfair hiring and promotion practices, abuse of time and attendance policies, compromised internal control environments, low employee morale, high staff turnover, and poor contract performance by the Contractor.
The Citywide Anti-Nepotism Policy and Procedure is available on the Mayor’s Office of Contract Services’ Contract Compliance Support site along with supporting policy and procedure documents.
NYC Human Services Contractors with an instance of existing or foreseeable nepotism within their company or organizations must obtain the Contracting Agency Commissioner's written consent for potential violations of the anti-nepotism provision found in sections 6.05 to 6.06 of within their human services standard contract.
The Procedure to Request Written Consent (PDF) linked here is a procedure template that contracting agencies will provide, detailing steps human services contractors should follow to request written consent from their Commissioner.
DSS Office of Child Support Services
The Office of Child Support Services offers parents the option to agree to the terms of their child support order before going to Family Court. This ensures that the child support order works for both parents and their child.
Parents will collaborate closely with an OCSS Customer Service Representative in a supportive and low-stress setting. They will have the opportunity to ask questions, review their documentation, and gain a better understanding of the process. Discussions can cover the terms of the agreement and the calculation of the child support amount. If parents prefer not to meet jointly with the representative, they can opt for individual sessions. Once the parents reach agreement on the terms and sign the agreement, it undergoes review by an HRA attorney to ensure it is consistent with the Family Court Guidelines.
The next step is an appearance at Family Court to obtain an official court order. There, a Support Magistrate will ensure parents voluntarily signed the agreement and understand it. The Magistrate will then issue the order based on the agreement, usually in one hearing.
To learn more about Agreements, click here.
Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) Webinars - 2024 Cooling Assistance Benefit
The application period for the 2024 Cooling Assistance benefit opened on Monday, April 15, 2024, and will end close of business on August 30,2024 or until funds are no longer available (whichever comes first). Eligible households receive a cooling benefit of up to $800 (on a first come first served basis) for the purchase and installation of an air conditioner. If one cannot be installed safely, a fan will be provided. Applicants are only eligible for a Cooling Assistance Benefit once every five years.
Applications for the Cooling Assistance benefit can be submitted in-person, by phone, and through ACCESS HRA. Visit Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) for more information on the Cooling benefit.
As a reminder, 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. The next HEAP Webinar with a cooling application walkthrough will be held on Tuesday, May 7th at 10am. Click here to register for this training or any of our other additional training offerings.
