Program Services Background:
IDNYC provides free identification cards for all New York City residents. As a government-issued photo identification card, IDNYC secures access to City services that come from having recognized identification. IDNYC benefits every city resident, including the most vulnerable communities—the homeless, youth, the elderly, undocumented immigrants, the formerly incarcerated and others who may have difficulty obtaining other government-issued ID. IDNYC cardholders can access services and programs offered by the City as well as businesses. IDNYC helps enhance public safety by serving as a recognized ID for interacting with NYPD.
If you have any questions about this relocation in relation to constituent services, please contact DSS at DSSOutreach@dss.nyc.gov.
Reminder: 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:
-
-
Have more than 5 years in qualified status;
-
Are under 18 years old;
-
Have earned or can be credited with more than 40 qualifying quarters;
-
Are in receipt of certain disability benefits; or
-
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
Reminder: Noncompliance Procedures for the SNAP ABAWD Work Requirements
As a reminder, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants who are subject to the Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) work requirements are allowed three months during a three-year period to receive SNAP benefits without following the work rules. When an ABAWD has not met the ABAWD work requirements or has failed to prove compliance or an exemption for three months in a 36-month period, a New York State (NYS) notice of adverse action (NOAA) will be issued before the end of the third month to inform the household that an ABAWD is ineligible for SNAP benefits in the following month.
The first possible countable month was in March, meaning that June 2026 was the first month that clients might have seen their benefits impacted if they did not comply with the work requirements in March, April, and May. At this point, noncompliant clients who have used all three countable months have lost their SNAP eligibility and either have been removed from their multi-person household, or had their single-person case closed.
For clients who wish to reestablish their eligibility, they should do the following:
- Single-person households: Complete a new SNAP application (available on ACCESS HRA) and call for an eligibility interview.
- Multi-person households: The Head of Case should complete a case change on ACCESS HRA to add the household member back to the case, then call for an eligibility interview and explain that they wish to add the household member back to their case.
Clients who had their SNAP benefits terminated or were removed from their household’s case due to ABAWD noncompliance can re-engage to reestablish eligibility by:
- Meeting the ABAWD work requirements by working or participating in an ABAWD-qualifying work activity, or
- Providing proof that they will meet the ABAWD work requirements in the next benefit month by enrolling in an ABAWD-qualifying work or community service program, or
- Providing proof of an exemption from the ABAWD work requirements
Clients who are reestablishing eligibility should first re-apply for SNAP and follow the process outlined by HRA. They should not reach out to their previously assigned PACE provider. Clients will receive new PACE appointments if they are still found eligible for SNAP.
SNAP Work Requirement Outreach Events
Some SNAP recipients who received notices requiring compliance with newly re-established SNAP work requirements for Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) may begin to experience benefit interruptions this month, June 2026, if they have not met work requirements or do not qualify for an exemption. As outlined above, clients will need to comply with SNAP work requirements or receive an approved exemption within 3 months of notification of the requirement to comply in order to maintain benefits. In an effort to mitigate the impact of changes associated with the federal H.R.1 bill on our shared clients, we want to remind you that the Office of Community Outreach is here as a resource to help educate and assist clients navigating these changes by coming to community events hosted expressly for this purpose, or to supplement other organized activities.
To request DSS assistance or coverage at your event, we invite you to complete this form. Once the form is submitted, someone from our office will reach out to you and work to identify coverage for your event to help clients understand these requirements, determine if they may qualify for an exemption, and get support with next steps, including submitting required forms.
If you have any questions, please contact us at outreachevents@dss.nyc.gov.
Office of Technology and Innovation (OTI) Internet Access Survey
Your voice matters! Help the City make internet access easier for New Yorkers by completing a short survey from the Office of Technology and Innovation (OTI) on internet use, devices, and internet access and affordability.
Visit on.nyc.gov/nycinternetsurvey to complete the survey by July 30, 2026 for the chance to win a $20 e-gift card!
Information Regarding Code Red
We would like to remind our community partners of how they can assist individuals who are vulnerable to extreme heat and humidity during the summer months. NYC Emergency Management (NYCEM) administers a Citywide Heat Emergency Plan that is activated during periods of extreme heat and humidity, as defined by the National Weather Service. During a Code Red, shelter is available system-wide to accommodate anyone who is reasonably believed to be homeless. Outreach teams will contact vulnerable individuals on their Code Red Priority Lists to encourage them to accept services, including transportation to shelter placement. DSS coordinates borough-level Code Red efforts directly with partner City agencies, including but not limited to DSNY, and the Parks Department. Accommodations are also available for walk-ins. Unsheltered individuals experiencing heat-related discomfort are able to access the designated cooling area at any shelter.
Should any New Yorker see an individual who appears to be homeless and in need out in the heat, please call 311 and an outreach team will be dispatched to offer assistance. For more information, click here.
Reminder: Closure of Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) Cooling Assistance Benefit
The 2025-2026 Cooling Assistance benefit component closed on Friday, June 5, 2026, at 5pm. All applications received on or before the deadline will be processed.
To help New Yorkers find relief from the heat, New York City cooling centers will be open throughout the five boroughs during heat emergencies. To find a cooling center, including accessible facilities closest to you, call 311 (212-639-9675 for Video Relay Service, or TTY: 212-504-4115) or visit the City's Cool Options Map to find free, air-conditioned places to stay cool during the extreme heat.
Partners for Cooling Center Participation
As temperatures rise and the City is preparing for the summer season, NYC Emergency Management is seeking additional community partners interested in serving as cooling centers during heat emergencies.
Cooling centers are air-conditioned facilities that provide New Yorkers with a safe place to stay during periods of extreme heat. Community-based organizations, faith-based institutions, nonprofits, and other public-facing facilities may be eligible to participate. NYCEM is particularly interested in identifying facilities that may be available on Sundays and holidays when cooling center options can be more limited.
Click here for additional information regarding cooling center Rules of Operation and here for cooling center requirements, expectations, and the enrollment process. If your organization is interested in learning more, or signing up to be a partner, please email Yokarina Duarte-Medina at yduarte@oem.nyc.gov. For more information, visit the NYC Emergency Management Beat the Heat website.
Thank you for considering this opportunity to support your community and help protect vulnerable New Yorkers during extreme heat events.
New York State Department of Health (DOH) Essential Plan Cooling Program
We would like to inform you of the Essential Plan Cooling Program offered through the New York State Department of Health (DOH). The Essential Cooling Program provides air conditioners on a first come-first served basis to eligible Essential Plan members through the New York State of Health.
The program opened on April 15, 2026, and will run through August 31, 2026, or until funds are exhausted, whichever comes first.
This statewide initiative provides an air conditioner for eligible individuals that:
- are enrolled as an Essential Plan member through NY State of Health; and
- have one or more qualifying health conditions; and
- can attest that their household has not received a cooling unit in the past five years through the Essential Plan Cooling Program, or the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) Cooling Assistance Component.
Individuals seeking information regarding the Essential Plan Cooling Program should be directed to DOH. Full program eligibility criteria and directions on how to apply may be found online at info.nystateofhealth.ny.gov/CoolingProgram.
Earned Income Disregard Effective June 2026
Earned Income Disregard (EID) refers to when income earned by a recipient of Cash Assistance benefits is not counted when determining their benefit amount. The EID is applicable to all CA households with earned income. It is applied to earnings up to the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) for households residing in temporary housing and applied to all earnings for all other CA households.
Effective June 1, 2026, the EID increased from 64% to 65%. The work expense disregard will remain at $150 per month. The 2026 semi-monthly poverty levels are listed below by household size.
Note: Certain CA participants whose income is below 200% of the FPL for their CA household size can have all their earnings disregarded once in a lifetime for a period of up to six straight months when they report a new job or when they are in an approved training program and receiving payment for that training.
