May 17, 2024
DSS/HRA/DHS Updates
Community-wide Conference Call
The next community call will be held on Tuesday, June 4th, 2024, at 4:00 pm. Invites with the Zoom link are sent the week prior to the call.
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.
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 (including those with temporary vault cards) 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. Benefits issued to households before the conversion will once again be available for use once the conversion has been completed. 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.
In early May, existing ConnectEBT received email notifications from OTDA informing them of the changeover and directing them to the OTDA site for additional information. Additionally, ACCESSHRA users with email addresses on file received notification from HRA/DSS regarding the changeover as well.
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. Cardholders will need to create new accounts on the ebtEDGE system, existing ConnectEBT login and password information will not transfer over to the new system. In the new ebtEDGE system, clients will be able to access six months of transaction history via the website and mobile application. Transaction history dating back up to three years will be available via the EBT Customer Service Helpline.
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.
Changes to New York’s Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) System FAQ, FLY-1154 & Social Media Toolkit
HRA/DSS has developed a one-page FAQ document to help support clients in navigating the NY EBT System conversion. The FAQ is available in the following languages: Albanian, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), English, French, Haitian Creole, Italian, Korean, Polish, Russian, Spanish, Urdu, and Yiddish.
Additionally, DSS/HRA has developed a social media toolkit to assist community and municipal partners in spreading awareness of the upcoming conversion.
OnDemand Telephone Interview System Guidance for Community Partners, FLY-1152
The Office of Community Outreach/DSS-HRA has developed a comprehensive guide for community partners to better assist clients with their Cash Assistance (CA) or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) application phone interview requirement. This resource provides helpful insight and best practices for system use with an emphasis on the benefits of the call-back feature.
The guide can be accessed here and can be ordered for distribution and use on the DSS Design and Print Ordering System (DPOS). Please note that the resource can be found in the "SNAP and Food Program" section of the Outreach Catalog. The easiest way to locate the document is by entering "FLY-1152" in the "Search Product" field.
Storefront for municipal agencies
Storefront for community partner organizations
NYC Continuum of Care (CoC) Local Competition
Every year, as part of HUD's Continuum of Care (CoC) Program Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) process, the NYC CoC accepts applications for new and expansion project funding through the Local Competition.
As of May 1, 2024, the NYC Continuum of Care (CoC) opened its NOFO Local Competition and is now accepting submissions for new projects. Applicants can apply for new and expansion funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for Rapid Rehousing and Permanent Supportive Housing projects.
Submissions for new project qualifications and proposals will be accepted until 11:59PM on June 12, 2024. Early submissions will be accepted until 11:59PM on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. Submissions made before the early submission deadline can be revised and/or resubmitted by June 12 based on feedback from the NYC CoC team.
Application materials include:
The NYC CoC is holding the following office hour sessions to support new and expansion projects participating in this year’s local competition:
Projects conditionally selected for inclusion in the NYC CoC submission to HUD will be notified on or around July 15, 2024.
Please contact the NYC CoC at nyc.coc@dss.nyc.gov with any questions
