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. Details regarding the next quarterly call will be included in an upcoming communication.
Summer EBT
Beginning this year, New York State will launch Summer EBT, a new program that provides low-income families with food benefits to help cover the cost of groceries when school is out of session. Families with eligible school-aged children will receive $120 in Summer EBT food benefits (per child) in 2024. Most eligible children will receive Summer EBT food benefits automatically; however, some families may need to apply.
OTDA will not issue the Summer EBT food benefit before July 2024, and eligible children will receive benefits at different times throughout the summer, depending on whether or not they attend public or private school, and whether they receive benefits automatically or if they are determined eligible through an application, as outlined below. Visit OTDA.ny.gov/SummerEBT for updated benefit issuance information.
Eligibility
To be automatically eligible for Summer EBT food benefits:
- A child must receive SNAP and/or Cash Assistance benefits, or be directly certified for free meals through Medicaid, or
- A child must be determined eligible for free/reduced-price school meals by their school.
Children who meet the above criteria will receive Summer EBT benefits automatically and DO NOT need to apply. Most eligible children will receive their benefits this way. These households will receive a letter from OTDA this summer, in advance of the Summer EBT benefit issuance, letting them know that their child is eligible.
If a household’s child is not automatically eligible, you must apply to receive Summer EBT benefits. To be eligible with an application:
- A child must attend a school that participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), AND
- The household’s income must be at or below the income limits for eligibility for free/reduced-price school meals (at or below 185% of the Federal Poverty Level)
How To Apply
- The application period for the 2024 Summer EBT will open in July 2024. If your household must apply to be considered for benefits, an online application will be available via the OTDA website in English and Spanish. The online application is the fastest and easiest way to apply.
- Paper applications will also be available for download via the OTDA site for those households who need an application in a language other than English or Spanish.
- Households that are not automatically eligible and need to apply will only need to submit one application, even if they have multiple eligible children.
- After applying, households with children that meet the above criteria will receive a letter from OTDA acknowledging receipt of the application, followed by a notice of approval or denial once the application is processed.
- Applications must be completed by September 3rd, 2024 to be considered for the 2024 Summer EBT benefit.
How Will Benefits Be Issued?
- Households with eligible children who received and utilized Summer 2023 P-EBT benefits on a dedicated P-EBT card will have Summer EBT benefits issued to the existing P-EBT card.
- Households in receipt of SNAP and/or Cash Assistance who previously received P-EBT benefits directly on their SNAP/CA EBT cards will now have a new Summer EBT card mailed to them to access the Summer EBT benefit. Summer EBT benefits will no longer be available via the household's existing SNAP/CA EBT card.
- All other newly eligible households will have a Summer EBT card mailed to them.
- The Summer EBT cards issued should follow eligible children, if an eligible child leaves a household and now resides elsewhere, the Summer EBT card should go with them.
- Once benefits are issued, families will have 122 days from the date they are issued to use the benefits. All unused benefits will expire after 122 days.
Need Help?
- The OTDA Summer EBT website will contain useful information on the benefit issuance timeline, eligibility, Summer EBT card replacement/activation, a detailed FAQ, application link and instructions, information for schools, and outreach materials. Check back frequently for updates.
- Summer EBT Helpline (1-833-452-0096) for general questions, case questions (beginning July 1, 2024), and to opt-out of the Summer EBT benefit for 2024. The Helpline can also answer questions about applications and to change the address on file for the Summer EBT card issuance.
Please Note: Summer EBT benefits are being issued by OTDA. HRA/DSS is not the administering agency for this benefit and as such won’t be able to provide information on application status, eligibility, or issuance status.
Summer EBT Information Session
On Tuesday, June 11, 2024 at 11:00 AM EST, join Hunger Solutions New York, No Kid Hungry New York, the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, and the New York State Education Department for an overview of New York’s plans for the rollout of Summer EBT.
During this webinar, learn what to expect in the months ahead and how you can help ensure this important new benefit reaches all eligible New York children.
Click HERE to register for the webinar on June 11 at 11:00 AM.
Visit the OTDA website for additional information on Summer EBT: OTDA.ny.gov/programs/summer-ebt
Reopening of NYCHA Section 8 Waitlist
The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) has reopened the waitlist for its Housing Choice Voucher (also known as Section 8) Program from Monday, June 3, 2024, at 12:00 AM through Sunday, June 9, 2024, at 11:59 PM. To apply, visit on.nyc.gov/section8-application. Please do not submit more than on application (duplicate applications will be rejected).
Paper applications will only be available as a reasonable accommodation. Prospective applicants can request a reasonable accommodation from Monday, June 3, 2024, through Friday June 7, 2024 (8AM to 5PM) by calling (718) 218-1525 to have an application mailed to them or by visiting one of the NYCHA Contact Center locations below to get an application in person:
Brooklyn Customer Contact Center
787 Atlantic Avenue, 2nd Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11238
Bronx Customer Contact Center
478 East Fordham Road, 2nd Floor, Bronx, NY 10458
Paper application must be postmarked no later than Friday, June 28, 2024, and sent only by US Mail to the address on the application.
Once the applications period closes, NYCHA will randomly place 200,000 applications on the waitlist. NYCHA expects to establish the waitlist by August 1st, 2024. Once the waitlist is established, applicants will be notified and can check the status of their application via NYCHA’s Self-Service Portal (selfserve.nycha.info).
Questions? Visit on.nyc.gov/sec8-app-faq
If an applicant previously submitted a Section 8 housing application when the waitlist was open, they may log on to the Self-Service Portal to check the status of the application and update their information.
NYCHA has developed the following flyers to help spread awareness of the opportunity to apply: Reopening of NYCHA Section 8 Waitlist (English), Reopening of NYCHA Section 8 Waitlist (English/ Spanish)
Things Applicants Should Know When Completing a Section 8 Application
If an applicant is on an existing waitlist, they may be asked to update their preliminary application or submit a complete application.
Learn more about what information must disclosed on Section 8 applications on the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) website.
Denial of Assistance
If an applicant is denied assistance, they will be notified by NYCHA and will be given the opportunity to appeal the reason.
Income Limits
Applicants must be income-eligible at the time of voucher issuance. Below are the current income limits for Section 8 applicants: Income (
