• For Cash Assistance, Medicaid and Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, a few of the most frequently required documents are as follows:
  1. Birth Certificates or other acceptable proof of identity for all applicants
  2. Social Security Card for all applicants
  3. Proof of income, resources for each applicant
  4. Proof of residence such as lease, rent statements, and utility bills
  5. School attendance records and day care letters
  6. Proof of child custody, or family / legal relationship
  7. Citizenship or current immigration status
  8. Statement from medical professional regarding homebound status, pregnancy, etc.
  9. Proof of marital status or domestic partnership
  10. Proof of any health insurance coverage
  These documents are not all inclusive. However, HRA Case Managers can assist with gathering documents during application process.

• A client's eligibility for Cash Assistance benefits is determined using the New York State eligibility guidelines. For single cases with only unearned income (e.g. SSI/SSD, unemployment insurance benefits, VA pension), we must first budget all of the income and rent to determine if the client is left with less than $376/month, which is the state-set level of need. If so, then the client is eligible for rental assistance and possibly cash assistance providing rental amount is approved by HASA.
  • Example A:
    • Monthly Rent = $1,419
    • Client does not have any earned or unearned income.
    • Client is eligible for cash and rental assistance. HASA would pay the full rent of $1,419 to the landlord. Client would receive $376 cash grant for food and other expense.
  • Example B:
    • Monthly Rent = $1,419
    • Client’s SSI = $822
    • Client Share of Rent is 30% of SSI Income of $822 = $246.60
    • Client is eligible for rental assistance. HASA pays $1,172.40 rent to landlord via one direct vendor payment and a separate HASA supplemental payments, both on a semi-monthly (twice per month) basis.
  • Example C:
    • Monthly Rent = $1,419
    • Client’s SSD = $1,800
    • Client is ineligible for financial assistance. No budget deficit exists since client is left with more than $376 after paying for the rent.
• Please refer to Financial Assistance Calculator to obtain an estimate of your eligibility.

• 15-day Immediate Needs Cash Assistance grant can be issued the same day for clients that meet eligibility requirements.
• Expedited Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program Benefits can be issued the same day.
• On-going Cash Assistance benefits for Families with children under 18 on the case will be issued within 30 days of application date.
• On-going Cash Assistance benefits for Single Adult only cases will be issued within 30 days of application date.
• On-going Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program benefits will be issued within 30 days of application date.

• Clients that meet Public Assistance eligibility criteria who reside in private market apartments and who have income other than Cash Assistance, will not be required to pay more than 30% of their adjusted household income towards rent*. The client’s rent level must also be approved by HASA.

* A client must first be eligible for Cash Assistance benefits using the New York State eligibility calculations and rental amount must be approved by HASA. For example, the monthly budget deficit for a single client must be less than $376 when rent is subtracted from monthly income.

• Earned Income Disregard ("EID") is an incentive which allows eligible clients with active Cash Assistance (CA) cases, who gain full or part-time employment, to continue receiving financial assistance provided a budget deficit exits.
• For new employment that starts on or after December 29, 2023, you may be eligible for a 100% EID for a six-month period. More information is coming soon.

• Earned Income Disregard (EID) Rules (the following does not describe the new 100% six-month EID):
  • Rules Applied to All Cases
    • Gross Income is used in calculations.
    • Income Disregard is applied first. The current percentage of income disregard is 62% (Percentage is subject to change every June 1^st).
    • Standard Deduction of $75 is subtracted from remaining income on a semi-monthly basis.

• The client earns $425 gross per week; $425 X 4.333 weeks/month = $1841.53
• $1841.53 ÷ 2 = $920.77 semimonthly income
• $920.77 X .62 (EID rate) = $570.88
• $920.77 - $570.88 (EID amount) = $349.89
• $349.89 (subtotal) - $75 (standard deduction) = $274.89 ← (amount to be budgeted semi-monthly)

• Factors that influence one’s budget include, but are not limited to: income, household size (including number of medically eligible HASA clients), rent, recoupments, utility allowance, type of housing, etc.

• No. The AIDS Institute of the NY State Department of Health funds the stipends for the Peer Educator program. Therefore, the stipend received under this program is excluded from being budgeted against Cash Assistance, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Medicaid benefits. In order to have your stipend excluded, your host organization must provide you a Stipend Exemption Form (contact your case worker if you need one).

• Under the rent guidelines, the amount of rent HASA will approve depends on the size of the apartment, i.e., the number of bedrooms. The number of bedrooms that will be approved depends on the number of individuals in the household. The rent guidelines are not a guarantee and are subject to change.
  HASA does not issue rent vouchers. If the apartment a client is interested in is approved, HASA will pay rent directly to the landlord or property manager. If a client has income other than cash assistance, the client will likely be responsible to pay a portion of the rent.
  Note: These are guidelines, not rules. Rent at higher levels may be approved at the agency’s discretion (e.g. to protect the health or safety of the client).
  The rent must include heat and hot water, although this requirement may be waived for housing secured through NYC Housing Connect, other NYC Housing Lotteries, and Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) cases and under other special circumstances. Approval will depend, in part, on an apartment inspection.
  For the most recent rent guidelines, please refer to HRA Special Services Rent Payment Guidelines.

• Eligible clients who reside in private market apartments and have income other than Cash Assistance, will not be required to pay more than 30% of their gross income towards rent providing the rent amount is approved by HASA. In order to qualify, a client must first be eligible for Cash Assistance benefits using the New York State eligibility calculations. We must first budget all of the gross income and rent as part of the usual HASA budgeting process, to determine if the client is left with less than $376/month, which is the state-set level of need. If so, then the client is eligible for CA and rental assistance, at which point the 30% cap comes into effect.
  • Example A:
    • Monthly rent = $1,419
    • Client’s SSI = $822
    • After client pays rent, the budget deficit is $-597, which is less than the Standard Needs of $376 per month. Therefore, the client is eligible for Cash Assistance.
  • Example B:
    • Monthly rent = $1,419
    • Client’s SSD = $1,800
    • After client pays rent of $1,419 out of their SSD income of $1,800, the client is left with $381, which is greater than the Standard Needs of $376 per month. Therefore, the client is ineligible for Cash Assistance.

• If you are currently living in an apartment and you would like to move, do not abandon your current apartment before discussing it with your Caseworker. Your case worker will work with you to determine the type of housing that will best meet your needs. Our goal is to assist you in maintaining stable, medically appropriate and affordable housing.
• If you are homeless or in imminent danger (with a documented life threatening situation or health and safety hazard), you can be placed in temporary housing while looking for a new apartment. Please contact your Caseworker.

• Yes. You may bring an advocate or representative with you to your appointments. Your advocate will have to identify him/herself at the reception desk to receive a ticket as a visitor. In addition, you will need to sign a HIPAA release form to allow us to discuss your case with the advocate. Once you provide the HIPAA release form and you have notified the agency in writing that you are granting the advocate permission to conduct case transactions on your behalf, the advocate will be able to receive case information and documentation from your case record. For more information on how to complete a HIPAA, please refer to Authorization for the Release of Health Information and Confidential HIV-Related Information: DOH-2557.

• If you no longer wish to be part of the HASA program, you must notify your Caseworker either in person or by telephone. In order to document your request you will be asked to complete a Statement of Non-Participation form.

• Caseworkers are assigned cases based on a rotation system. However, clients may be permitted to change their assigned Caseworker upon request, with good cause, at the discretion of the Center Director or HASA administration.

• Please note that as of April 30, 2015, New York State Common Benefit Identification Cards (CBICs) no longer include a gender marker.
• In order to change your gender in your Medicaid account and/or your case record you must provide us with one of the following documents confirming your new gender:
  • Birth Certificate/Amended Birth Certificate
  • Court Order (only for name change)
  • New York State Driver’s License
  • New York State Non-Driver ID
  • Letter from Social Security Administration
  • Medical Note (only for gender correction)
  • Marriage License (only for name change)
  • Passport

• The most important step is gathering the documentation. Once we have the necessary documentation, we will be able to make the requested change.

• For more information, please refer to Name and Gender Change for Transgender and Gender Non-binary Clients: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).

• Frequency of home visits are based upon client’s individual needs and the type of housing the client resides in. Below are the minimal requirements for home visits. Additional visits may be scheduled as needed:
  • If client lives in Emergency Housing, Hospital, Skilled Nursing or other Health Related Facility, or if there is a child under 18 years old living with the client, Caseworker is required to make a home visit every month.
  • If client lives in a private house or apartment, Caseworker will visit every other month.
  • If client lives in Supportive Housing, provided by a program which includes case management services, Caseworker is required to make a home visits every three months.

• Local law requires that HASA clients are provided with intensive case management and are maintained in medically-appropriate housing. Home visits are necessary to ensure that HASA clients and their families are provided with the benefits and services required to maintain their health and safety and that they are appropriately housed.

• If you are not going to be home for your scheduled home visit, you should notify your Caseworker to reschedule. Not keeping scheduled home visits may have a negative effect on your case.

• Emergency Housing: Newly accepted HASA clients who are homeless can request same-day housing placement at Service Line, located at 400 8th Avenue in Manhattan. Other clients who find themselves in need of emergency housing can visit their Caseworkers to request a same-day placement. Emergency housing is provided on a temporary basis. Depending on family size and availability of units, emergency housing placements will be in Transitional Supportive Housing, Single Room Occupancy (SRO units) or Family Emergency Apartments.
  • Transitional Supportive Housing: Transitional housing units provide short-term stays for single adults only. Fully furnished private rooms are provided with private or shared bathrooms, lounges, meals in common dining areas and recreational facilities. On site case management staff provide access to substance use and mental health counseling, as well as assistance in locating permanent housing. Other supportive services may also be provided.
  • SROs: SRO units offer short-term stays for single adults and couples. SRO units are furnished private rooms with private or shared bathrooms.
  • Family Emergency Housing: Families are placed in furnished private apartments.
• Non-Emergency Supportive Housing: Supportive housing is available for clients who require assistance with barriers that make it difficult for them to live independently in the community. Some models of supportive housing also require a history of homelessness. After completing an application, the client will be interviewed by a member of Comprehensive Health Assessment Team (CHAT). Thereafter, HASA Caseworkers and housing specialists assist eligible clients to identify which type of housing is right for their individual or family needs. Clients will be placed based on family composition, their individual needs and availability.
  • Congregate Residences: Congregate Supportive Housing offers a variety of furnished housing models for individuals and families, all under one roof. Intensive on-site social services are available.
  • Scatter-Site Housing: Scatter Site housing programs offer apartments that are leased in the name of the housing provider. The apartments may be scattered throughout a particular borough or throughout the city. These programs include specialized supportive services for single adults and families.
• Private Market Apartment: HASA will provide rental assistance for eligible clients who wish to live in a private market apartment in the community. Clients must conduct their own apartment search. Caseworkers can provide a list of apartment brokers who have assisted HASA clients in the past. However, we cannot guarantee that these brokers will have apartments available at any given time. Please see the FAQ section on Benefits for more information.

NYC Administrative Code § 21-149, also known as Local Law 15 2022 (LL 15) requires supportive housing providers, sometimes called project sponsors, in contract with City agencies, like the NYC Human Resources Administration (HRA), to provide supportive housing tenants, and prospective supportive housing tenants, a tenant’s notice of rights on certain required occasions and upon request. This new law became effective on May 9, 2022. This law does not add new rights; it informs supportive housing tenants and prospective supportive housing tenants of their existing rights.

The supportive housing providers must provide this notice to prospective and permanent tenants:

• At the time of the interview
• At the time of initial occupancy of a unit
• At each lease or program agreement renewal
• Upon request

Supportive Housing Tenant’s Notice of Rights Template (PDF)
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City agencies administering supportive housing contracts must investigate complaints they receive of a housing provider’s failure to provide the notice when required. If an agency determines that a complaint is valid (substantiated), the agency is required to issue a summons against the housing provider for such validated or substantiated complaint violation and to post certain complaint information on the agency’s website.

The complaint information posted must include:

• The identity of the supportive housing provider
• The date the complaint was submitted
• The date of the conclusion of the complaint investigation
• The outcome results of the complaint
• The number and amount of penalties assessed

If a complaint is substantiated, the housing provider shall be liable for a civil penalty of $250 for each summons issued for each substantiated complaint violation. However, the supportive housing provider may avoid assessment of the $250 summons penalty (“cure”) by providing the notice to the tenant or prospective tenant within 14 days of the date of the summons. Please note that, except for the payment of the $250 penalty, an agency’s acceptance of proof of a “cure” is still an admission of liability for all purposes and the information associated with the substantiated complaint violation will continue to be posted on the agency’s website.

Confidentiality is very important and the identity of the person registering the complaint is never made public. If you have trouble obtaining a copy of the Supportive Housing Tenant Notice of Rights by requesting it from your housing service provider, contact your HASA case worker or call 311 to file a complaint.