DSS-HRA-DHS Updates

Community Partners Calls 

If you were not able to join our last quarterly call or our SNAP ABAWD call, below find the recordings: 

Quarterly Call, September 16, 2025: Please find an audio recording here and use Passcode: G1++mM3h to listen.  

SNAP ABAWD Information Session, October 21, 2025: Please find an audio recording here and use Passcode: z5W+5^vd to listen. 

The next Community Partners Call will take place on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at 4:00 pm. The DSS Leadership team will provide important updates and offer a Q&A to answer your questions. Register here to join. 

This call is specifically intended for Community Partners, including case workers, advocates, representatives from legal organizations, Elected Officials' offices, and municipal partners. 

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. 

Continuing Federal Government Shutdown and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Update 

• Once the federal government shutdown ends or other federal funding is provided, all SNAP households will be issued all of the benefits they missed.
• Local SNAP centers remain open and are operating as usual. As a reminder, they do not issue benefits directly.
• EBT cards will still work, and any benefits on your EBT card can continue to be used to shop for food at all SNAP authorized retailers and farmers markets.
• It is important that all SNAP households continue to complete all SNAP requirements including recertifications, returning periodic reports, and reporting changes, even during the federal government shutdown.
• Applications for SNAP will continue to be accepted. However, households approved for SNAP after November 1 will not receive benefits until the federal government shutdown ends or other federal funding is provided.
• New York City residents can apply for SNAP or Public Assistance online at ACCESS HRA or in-person at a Human Resources Administration (HRA) SNAP center.
• Clients who recently applied or recertified for SNAP may still get a SNAP notice in the mail stating that they have been approved for SNAP benefits in November. These benefits will not be issued until the federal government shutdown ends or other federal funding is provided. Fair hearings about missed benefits due to the federal government shutdown will not be scheduled.
• Updates on when SNAP benefits can be issued again, will be posted on the OTDA website; NYC ACCESS HRA; myBenefits; and the ebtEDGE website, app and customer service line (1-888-328-6399).
• SNAP households may also receive text messages from NY OTDA about SNAP benefit updates.
• Public Assistance (cash) benefits are not affected by the federal government shutdown. They will continue to be issued to all eligible households.

Updated Information on Opening Date for 2025-2026 HEAP Regular Benefit Component

Due to the lack of a federal budget, including an appropriation for the 2025-2026 program year, in addition to the ongoing federal government shutdown, the opening date for accepting applications for the HEAP Regular benefit component for 2025-2026 has been delayed until further notice. This supersedes previous guidance provided here and here that stated that the HEAP Regular benefit component would open November 17.

NYS OTDA will issue updated guidance as additional information becomes available. Please continue to check the NYS OTDA website for up-to-date information at otda.ny.gov.

For additional information regarding HEAP, please visit the dedicated State webpage.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Guidance for Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) 

On November 1, 2025, HRA will be required to implement the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility requirements for Able Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) and require certain SNAP recipients to comply with the ABAWD requirements. 

Under Federal law, SNAP clients who are considered Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs) need to meet certain work requirements. Generally, adults aged 18 to 64 who: 

1. do not live with a child under age 14 in the household, or 

2. are not pregnant or caring for a person who cannot care for themselves; or 

3. do not have any mental or physical barriers to employment 

will need to meet these work requirements, but HRA considers each individual on their own and other conditions may apply. 

If a client subject to the ABAWD requirements believes they have a mental or physical barrier to employment that would impact their ability to comply with the requirements below, they should bring this Medical Statement form (available in additional languages here) to their medical, mental health or other clinical provider for completion. Clients can upload the completed form via the NYC ACCESS HRA mobile app or the NYC HRA Document Upload app. Clients can also mail the form to the SNAP Program at P.O. Box 29008, Brooklyn, NY 11202 or fax it to 917-639-2544, and the form can also be dropped off at a SNAP Center.  

To keep getting SNAP benefits for more than three (3) months in the 3-year period, each ABAWD must follow the ABAWD work rules by: 

1. Spending at least 80 hours every month (20 hours per week) doing one or more of the following: 

• Working (including “in-kind” work); 
• Participating in a qualifying work/training program approved by HRA; 
• Participating in an employment and training program for veterans operated by the Department of Labor or the Department of Veterans Affairs; 
• Participating in a program under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) or Trade Act which may include job search, job readiness, occupational skills training and education activities; or 
• Participating in a combination of work or qualifying work programs. 

OR 

2. Participating in a work experience activity approved by HRA or volunteering in a community service activity for the number of hours per month equal to the household’s SNAP benefit divided by the State minimum wage.

Clients will receive an ABAWD Work Activity Letter notice from HRA in the next few weeks if they or anyone in their household is subject to ABAWD work rules based on the information the agency currently has for them. 

If clients receive an ABAWD notice and are not working, in school, or otherwise meeting the requirements, HRA will make an appointment with a contracted provider to help them find work activities to meet the ABAWD requirement. They will need to attend the appointment – remote options are available. 

If clients do not meet ABAWD work rules for any 3 months in a 3-year period, they could lose their SNAP benefits. 

If clients are working and have not yet told HRA, they should report it now and include proof of income, i.e., paystubs. The easiest way to submit proof is through the NYC ACCESS HRA mobile app or the NYC HRA Document Upload app. If they are within your recertification period or due to submit their periodic report, they can report it at that time. If they are outside of these periods, they can use the SNAP Case Change feature in ACCESS HRA to add job and pay information to their case. 

If clients have questions about ABAWD rules, they can call us at 718-SNAP-NOW (718-762-7669). For more information and resources, visit: https://otda.ny.gov/programs/snap/work-requirements.asp 

Changes to the SNAP Standard Utility Allowance (SUA) Policy for Households in Receipt of HEAP 

It has been longstanding federal SNAP policy that households in receipt of a qualifying Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) payment are required to be provided with the Heating and Cooling Standard Utility Allowance (HCSUA) without needing to prove their utility costs.  

However, due to the new federal law under HR1, the receipt of a qualifying LIHEAP payment will only grant presumptive HCSUA eligibility to households that have an aged and/or disabled member. All other households must establish that they have a separate heating or cooling utility expense in order to be determined eligible for HCSUA. This new policy will be implemented as of November 1, 2025, for all new and pending applications. Households ineligible for HCSUA due to these changes, may instead be entitled to the Utility SUA if they have a separate expense for a non-heating/cooling utility. These expenses include (but are not limited to): electricity (including air conditioning/cooling costs), cooking fuel, sewage, trash collection, water fees, fuel for heating hot water, and rental fee for a propane tank. Existing SNAP households will be assessed at recertification or if the household reports a case change on the periodic report or other time during their eligibility period. 

For example: Jane Doe is a single mother with two children. No one in the household is elderly or has a disability. Her rent is $1000 per month and her gross earned income is $2000 per month. She receives SNAP and LIHEAP.  Because she receives both benefits, she has in the past qualified for the HCSUA. This means her household of 3 gets $590 in monthly SNAP benefits.  However, the next time Ms. Doe recertifies her benefits, she will need to demonstrate her utility costs (including non-heating utility costs). Depending on the utility costs she can prove, her benefits will change and could go down by as much as $116.  

Please inform clients that moving forward, they may need to verify separate utility expenses at recertification or when reporting certain changes on a periodic report. This verifying documentation could include an electricity bill along with the client's attestation that a portion of that bill is used to pay for cooling/air conditioning.  

Newly eligible SNAP households living in a HEAP-eligible housing arrangement may receive a $21 nominal HEAP benefit. However, only households containing an aged or disabled member will be eligible to receive the full HCSUA based on this factor alone.   

For more information, you can read the full policy here. 

New Hearings Added: The Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) Needs Assessment and Public Hearings  

As part of the Community Needs Assessment (CNA), the Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) and volunteer Neighborhood Advisory Board members will host Public Hearings over the coming weeks. Each is a valuable resource and helps DYCD gather information about the highest priority needs of New Yorkers. This information will be used in various ways, including informing decisions about which federally-funded anti-poverty programs will be funded in each of the target neighborhoods.  

Each Hearing is open to all who work, play, and live in the neighborhood. Below are the dates and locations scheduled so far:  

• Wednesday, November 5: 110-08 Jamaica Ave, Richmond Hill NY 11418, ID: 161 676 1396 Passcode: 422635
• Thursday, November 13: Brady Court Community Center, Bronx, Zoom TBD
• Thursday, November 20: 133 East 53rd Street, Brooklyn NY 11203, ID: 161 566 2391 Passcode: 629929

DYCD encourages New Yorkers who are ages 14 and older from across the City to complete the survey as well as attend the public hearings.  

Fair Fares NYC Income Eligibility Update: Effective November 1, 2025 

We are proud to share that effective November 1, 2025, the Fair Fares NYC income eligibility has increased and will apply to all applications and renewals that are processed on or after November 1, 2025. More New York City households may now be eligible for discounted fares!  

The NYC Department of Social Services- Human Resources Administration (DSS-HRA) has expanded access to the Fair Fares transit discount by implementing a rule change that increases the program’s income eligibility standard to 150% of the federal poverty level. Previously, the Fair Fares discount was available only to New Yorkers ages 18 - 64 whose income was at or below 145% federal poverty level. As a result of this modification to eligibility standards, more New Yorkers will be able to enroll in the program and utilize this critical discount to commute to work, visit friends and family, access medical care, and enjoy all our great city has to offer with assistance for their transit expenses.  

The New Fair Fares income limits per household size can be found in the chart below.  

The Fair Fares NYC Program helps New York City residents with low incomes manage their transportation costs by providing them with a 50% discount on public transportation. Eligible New York City residents receive a 50% discount on subway and eligible bus fares. Fair Fares can also provide 50% off MTA Access-A-Ride paratransit trips.    

Fair Fares NYC applications are open to eligible New Yorkers, ages 18-64, whose household income meets program income eligibility requirements. Subway and eligible bus discounts are open to New Yorkers who do not have, and are not eligible for, discounted transportation from the MTA or the City. If individuals meet the Fair Fares NYC eligibility criteria, they may be eligible for the Fair Fares NYC discount on Access-A-Ride fares even if they are already enrolled in the MTA reduced-fare Program for persons with disability or have an Access-A-Ride MetroCard.   

Fair Fares enrollment is simple and can be completed online: Apply for Fair Fares on ACCESS HRA! View the “How to Enroll” videos in English and Spanish.  

Many Cash Assistance and SNAP recipients can ride for half price. Each non-elderly adult should log into ACCESS HRA or create an account to complete their enrollment.  

Encourage everyone to ride for half price with Fair Fares by sharing this short video about the program.  

We continue to offer training on the Fair Fares NYC program and the application process for community and advocacy organizations, municipal agencies, and Elected Officials' office staff. Register for an upcoming session here.   

Relocation of IDNYC Enrollment Center, HRA Benefit Access Center Boerum Hill, and Home Care Services Program CASA Office from 275 Bergen Street to 2400 Fulton in Brooklyn

The following DSS-HRA’s program offices are relocating: IDNYC Enrollment Center, HRA Benefit Access Center Boerum Hill, and Home Care Services Program CASA Office, currently located at 88 3rd Avenue aka 275 Bergen Street in Brooklyn. All program operations will cease by October 31, 2025 and transfer to the new DSS-HRA facility located at 2400 Fulton Street in Brooklyn. Clients do not need to take any action. This change will not affect their benefits or services. For details on the relocation schedule, click here.

If you have any questions about this relocation in relation to constituent services, please contact DSS at DSSOutreach@dss.nyc.gov. 

ADAPT Community Network Family Connect Summit: November 5, 2025 

ADAPT Community Network is hosting their free virtual Family Connect Summit 2025 on Wednesday, November 5th from 10 am - 3 pm. To register, go to http://adaptcommunitynetwork.org/2025-Summit-Registration. 

The important topics that will be explored are: 

• Starting Early: Empowering Your Child Through Self-Advocacy 

• Transitions in Life 

• Path to Independence: Making Informative Choices 

There is also an opportunity to win a free Chromebook. Spanish, Mandarin, and ASL interpretation will be provided. 

DCWP Offering NYC Free Tax Prep Program   

With over 130 locations across the city, services are available in multiple languages to ensure access for all communities.  

Support for Self-Employed New Yorkers  

NYC Free Tax Prep offers specialized services tailored to freelancers, gig workers, and other self-employed individuals. Resources are available year-round.  

Eligibility: Must have business expenses of $250,000 or less.   

Services include:  

• Free tax preparation for annual and quarterly estimated tax filing services for self-employed filers   

• Workshops and events (see the full calendar)  NYC Free Tax Prep - Self-Employed Tax Prep Event Calendar  

• Consultations: Clients can locate a site with specially trained tax preparers by selecting “Self-Employed/Schedule C Assistance” on the NYC Free Tax Prep Map site finder   

Toolkits and Resources:  recordkeeping templates, and other business resources on the DCWP website nyc.gov/taxprep.   

Volunteer with NYC Free Tax Prep

Make a difference in your community! Learn about NYC Free Tax Prep volunteer opportunities by signing up through our online volunteer registration form.  

Contact:  

• Call 311 and ask for “Tax Preparation”  

• Visit: nyc.gov/taxprep

• Email: freetaxprep@dcwp.nyc.gov  

Next OCSS Employer Conference in December 2025  

The next iteration of OCSS’s popular (and free!) Employer Conference will be held virtually on Tuesday, December 9, 2025 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. These conferences give employers of all sizes—from the smallest of home businesses to national corporations—the opportunity to understand the legal requirements placed on them by federal and state law and to answer questions about how to process income withholding orders and the National Medical Support Notice. Employers will also learn about recently added requirements to report income for independent (1099) contractors. Register today at https://bit.ly/december2025 and email any questions to OCSSinfo@dfa.state.ny.us. Payroll professionals can also earn 3 Recertification Credit Hours (RCH) credits through PayrollOrg. 

Public Benefits Survey 

If you receive or have applied for public benefits in New York State, we want to hear about your experiences, including any challenges you may have faced. New Yorkers are invited to complete a brief, anonymous survey by December 31, 2025. 

Click here to complete the survey. A link to the survey can also be found on the ACCESS HRA homepage under What’s New.  

Social Care Network for Medicaid Members: Including Medically Tailored Meals and Groceries  

New York State created the Social Care Network (SCN) program to connect Medicaid members with help for health-related social needs. These needs—like safe housing, healthy food, and reliable transportation—can affect health just as much as medical care. The program’s goal is to make it easier for Medicaid members to get the support they need to live healthier, more stable lives. 

All Medicaid members will be screened and assessed for eligibility. If a client is found eligible for Level 1 services, they will be referred to currently existing resources. If they are found eligible for Enhanced (Level 2) services, they will be referred to community-based organizations contracted by the SCNs. Services are temporary and range from short-term (1-2 weeks) to long-term care (up to 6 months). Services are free for eligible members and may include: 

Nutrition 

• Nutrition counseling and education 

• Medically tailored meals or food prescriptions 

• Pantry restocking 

• Cooking supplies 

Housing 

• Help with housing applications and tenancy counseling 

• Support with accessing rental assistance, temporary housing, or utilities 

• Home safety or accessibility modifications 

• Asthma and allergy remediation 

• Medical respite care 

Transportation 

• Public or private rides to get to social care services (Note: does not cover trips to medical appointments) 

For more information, including where to get screened, click here.  

EBT Card PIN Freeze and Additional Password Feature 

When an EBT cardholder’s information is compromised by an unauthorized 

individual with knowledge of their personal information, the thief is able to 

change the EBT card PIN without the cardholder’s permission.  

When this happens, in addition to the other available security features, one course of action that we recommend to protect the card is to freeze the PIN so that it can only be changed in person. Upon client request, the ebtEDGE system provides workers with the option to freeze a participant’s PIN for their current EBT card and any associated cards linked to the affected household’s CIN.  

Once the PIN freeze has been activated, the cardholder will not be able to change their PIN online. Instead, they must visit a Benefits Access Center, SNAP, HASA, or OTC Site with their EBT card and a valid photo ID (if the EBT card has a photo, this counts towards the photo ID requirement).  

Cardholders can call the NYS EBT Customer Service helpline to request a PIN freeze at 1-888-328-6399.

Additional Password Feature 

For further security, cardholders can add an additional password to their account by visiting a BAC or SNAP center. The additional password can include a combination of numbers and/or letters. Once this feature is added, the cardholder will need to enter the password after they enter their regular PIN when accessing their account online, on the app, or by phone.   

DSS Office of Community Outreach Trainings & Event Requests 

Community Partner Trainings and Presentations 

The DSS Office of Community Outreach (OCO) offers trainings and presentations to community-based organizations, elected officials and their staff, and other municipal agencies. These virtual trainings are conducted multiple times per month and allow for flexible scheduling. The OCO currently offers the following trainings: 

• ACCESS HRA General Overview Webinar 
• ACCESS HRA Provider Portal Webinar 
• ACCESS HRA Benefit Application Webinar 
• CityFHEPS Program Overview and Renewal Application Webinar 
• DSS Overview Webinar 
• EBT Skimming and Replacement Benefits Webinar 
• Fair Fares Program Overview and Application Webinar 
• Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) Webinar 
• IDNYC Program Overview and Document Requirement Webinar 
• Medicaid and Medicare Savings Program Overview and Application Webinar 
• Medicaid Renewal Process Webinar 

Click here to view training descriptions and register for an upcoming virtual session.  

Organizations interested in requesting any of the trainings listed above specifically for their staff (10 or more) should complete and submit the DSS Training Request Form  and someone will be in touch to schedule. Contact CommunityEducation@dss.nyc.gov if you have any questions or encounter issues submitting the form. 

Community Partner Event Requests 

The DSS Office of Community Outreach (OCO) welcomes requests to participate in events hosted by community partner organizations. Please complete and submit the Community Partner Event Attendance Request Form to request DSS presence at your event and the Outreach Events unit will follow-up on a first come, first serve basis to arrange for DSS representation. Contact OutreachEvents@dss.nyc.gov if you have any questions or encounter issues submitting the form. 

Resources/Helpful Links: 

ACCESS HRA Client Portal: ACCESS HRA is an online benefits portal and mobile app for New York City residents. With ACCESS HRA, clients can apply or recertify for many HRA benefits, manage their case(s), and much more. Clients can also submit and keep track of documents for their application(s) using the NYC ACCESS HRA mobile app. 

ACCESS HRA Help Desk/Online Support:  For answers benefit/site-related questions, use the Contact Us form linked or email: accesshrahelpdesk@dss.nyc.gov. 

ACCESS HRA Technical Support: For technical issues with ACCESS HRA, email: accesshrasuppapp@dss.nyc.gov. In the message, please include a screenshot of the error, a description of the issue and the ACCESS HRA username. 

ACCESS HRA Provider Portal: a provider-facing website that allows clients to grant permission to community-based organizations providing direct social services benefit enrollment assistance and/or ongoing case management to New Yorkers in receipt of HRA-administered benefits. To learn more, visit the Provider Tools section of the DSS/HRA website. If you’d like to request access to the Provider Portal, please begin with submitting an expression of interest via this form. 

Design and Print Ordering System (DPOS): Community Partners interested in ordering outreach materials (in bulk and delivered free of charge) from HRA and are ordering for the first time, should email DPOS Customer Service at DPOSCustomerService@dss.nyc.gov to have their organization/agency registered in the system. Once completed, the requestor will receive an email with a link to create an account, allowing their organization/agency the ability to order from HRA's catalog.  

Organizations and agencies with already existing DPOS accounts, should log into their account using the appropriate link below: 

• NYC Agencies: https://nycdssagencies.myprintdesk.net/ 
• (CBO) NYC DSS Partners: https://nycdsspartners.myprintdesk.net/
   

DSS Disability Access: HRA can help by providing supports or accommodations to client’s with disabilities to make getting the services they need easier. This type of help is called a reasonable accommodation. Click here to learn more about how to request one.  

DSS Office of Community Outreach (OCO) Trainings: Intended for community-based organizations, elected officials and their staff, and other municipal agencies. These trainings are conducted multiple times per month and allow for flexible scheduling. 

DSS OneNumber (formerly Infoline): 718-557-1399 

DSS/HRA Provider Tools & Supports 

DSS Training Request Form: For organizations interested in requesting trainings offered by the Office of Community Outreach specifically for their staff (10 or more). 

DSS - HRA - DHS Webpages 

EBT Customer Service Helpline: 1-888-328-6399 

ebtEDGE: Cardholder portal and mobile application that allows clients to manage their EBT cards, check their balances/transactions, change their PIN, lock/unlock/replace their cards and more! 

Find a Partner Organization: Includes Community-Based Organizations who can help complete applications and screen applicants for eligibility to the various programs. Some locations also assist with submitting documents to DSS electronically. Contact the organizations listed for more information. 

NYC 311: Non-emergency municipal services are available online, by texting 311-692, or by calling 3-1-1 from within the City or 212-NEW-YORK outside the five boroughs. TTY service is also available by dialing 212-504-4115. 

Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA): Responsible for supervising programs that provide assistance and support to eligible families and individuals. OTDA’s functions include: Providing temporary cash assistance; providing assistance in paying for food; providing heating assistance; overseeing New York State’s child support enforcement program; determining certain aspects of eligibility for Social Security Disability benefits; supervising homeless housing and services programs; and providing assistance to certain immigrant populations. 

Sign up for important updates from DSS/HRA 

If you received this newsletter by way of a partner organization or colleague and have yet to sign up on your own, click here to receive relevant resources, agency updates, and opportunities that may interest you and the communities you serve.

Sincerely,

Office of Community Outreach

NYC Department of Social Services