DSS-HRA-DHS Updates
Community Partners Updates
Important updates as well as an ongoing synopsis of the information shared in prior communications are on our 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.
Expiration of the CityFHEPS Time Limited Zip Code-Based Landlord Bonus
The CityFHEPS Time Limited Zip Code-Based Landlord Bonus (“landlord bonus”) expired on June 30, 2024, and is not being extended at this time. The landlord bonus may only continue to be issued under the following conditions:
- A CityFHEPS applicant was issued a shopping letter and linked to unit before June 30, 2024; and
- The applicant’s CityFHEPS packet is submitted and approved on or before July 31, 2024.
The NYC Department of Housing and Preservation & Development (HPD) designated certain zip codes in NYC as expanded housing opportunity areas. Since rents tend to be higher in these zip codes, CityFHEPS offers a landlord bonus of two month’s rent to landlords in these zip codes who accept a CityFHEPS voucher holder at their market rate rent. Stabilized rents already at or below the CityFHEPS maximum are not eligible for this bonus. CityFHEPS packages submitted for approval in one of the zip codes identified on the Time Limited Zip Code Based CityFHEPS Landlord Bonus (DSS-8u) were eligible to receive a landlord bonus in the amount of two month’s rent through June 30, 2024.
Free Immigration Fraud Informational Hotline
Tomorrow, Wednesday, July 17, the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, in partnership with Catholic Charities, the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office and the Department of State Office for New Americans, will be hosting a Free Immigration Fraud Informational Hotline.
"Immigration fraud" means immigration legal services-related scams that target vulnerable immigrant New Yorkers. Immigration fraud, as described here, can be by attorneys and non-attorneys. It can also be by others who engage in other fraudulent acts such as phone scams and impersonations threatening immigration consequences. Immigration fraud is widespread in immigrant communities and the consequences can be severe – for those committing fraud and their victims.
Immigrant New Yorkers can call the dedicated informational phone line 888-958-5264 on Wednesday, July 17th 6:00 – 8:00 PM for free, confidential information and to report fraud.
Click here for more information.
Earned Income Disregard (EID) Flyers
The Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) has introduced two new flyers designed to increase awareness of income disregards available to Public Assistance (PA) recipients.
As a reminder, the State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2023-24 New York State Budget established a new disregard on all earned income that a CA participant gets from participation in a qualified work activity or training program, provided the individual's overall income does not exceed 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) for their household size. This disregard does not apply to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
The SFY 2023-24 State Budget will also disregard all earned income of a CA participant following a new job for a maximum of six consecutive months, once per lifetime, provided that the individual's overall income does not exceed 200% of the FPL for their household size. Following the six-month period, regular budgeting of income for purposes of CA eligibility would apply. This disregard does not apply to SNAP benefits.
Click the links below to access the flyers.
Public Benefits Survey – Childhood Poverty Reduction Advisory Council (CPRAC)
The Public Benefits Survey has been reopened and extended until December 31, 2024. This survey is intended to give New Yorkers who’ve applied for/received SNAP, PA, and/or SSI an opportunity to provide feedback on their experiences. The survey is brief and should only take a few minutes.
To access the survey, please click here.
The results of this survey will help guide the Child Poverty Reduction Advisory Council (CPRAC) on creating and prioritizing five policy proposal packages that could achieve a 50% reduction in child poverty, as well as address housing costs in New York. The Childhood Poverty Reduction Advisory Council (CPRAC) is tasked with reducing childhood poverty by 50% by 2032.
All the proposed packages include child tax credit increases, as well as public benefits reforms such as the establishment of a State funded food benefit targeted to New Yorkers unable to receive SNAP. Four of the five packages include more inclusive housing vouchers, which is identified by the Housing Committee as their top priority. The fifth package also includes the inclusive housing vouchers, and a renter’s credit proposal.
To learn more, visit Child Poverty Reduction Advisory Council | OTDA (ny.gov)
If you’re interested in the live webcasts of the agency's public meetings, click here.
Reminder – Summer EBT
The New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) has begun issuing Summer EBT benefits to eligible school-aged children.
As a reminder, Summer EBT is a new program to provide families with eligible school-aged children with food benefits to help cover the cost of groceries when school is out of session. Families with eligible children will receive $120 in Summer EBT food benefits per child in 2024. Most eligible children will receive their Summer EBT food benefits automatically; however, some families may need to apply.
All benefits are issued by NYS OTDA. More information can be found on the NYS OTDA Summer EBT website here.
The Summer EBT Helpline (1-833-452-0096) is also available for any general questions, case questions, and to opt-out of the Summer EBT program in 2024. The Helpline can also answer any questions about applications or change of address for Summer EBT card issuance.
