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HRA Headlines

• Utility turn-offs are stopped until December 31, 2021, but fees and bills are still due and will continue to add up. You can request help now. If you already get Cash Assistance and want to see if HRA can help with your utility or rent arrears, request a special grant in ACCESS HRA. If you do not get Cash Assistance now you need to submit an application.

• Families with children between the ages of 3 and 18 receiving Medicaid benefits, and who are eligible for the P-EBT food benefit for students should have received a letter from the NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance. A pin number must be created for your Medicaid CBIC card to access the P-EBT food benefit. Click here to learn more! If you are unable to set up a PIN because you are unsure of what zip code is on record, please contact the Medicaid Helpline at 1-888-692-6116 to confirm the information.

• If you receive SNAP benefits and have lost your job or had a change in your income, please log into your ACCESS HRA account, or create a new one, to submit a Case Change. You do not need to submit a new application. You will need to submit documents to prove the change you report. Click here for information about the documents you can use and the ways to submit your documents.

• Do you need help with applying or recertifying for SNAP? Click here to find a Community Organization that can help!

• The USDA has advised that there is a scam using texting to obtain your personal information. The text might say you were chosen to receive food stamps or SNAP. If you are an NYC resident and do not know if a request for information about SNAP is real or not, contact HRA at 718-557-1399. Never share personal information with individuals or organizations that you do not know. Personal information includes your social security number, bank information, or SNAP electronic benefits transfer card or PIN number. If you think the text is a scam, do not reply at all. Just delete.

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• The Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020 is providing funding for a supplement to all SNAP households that did not receive the maximum SNAP benefit amount allowed for their household size from March 2020 through March 2021. To learn more, click here!

• In-person HRA appointments for work or training assignments and work requirements for Cash Assistance and SNAP cases have been cancelled. A limited number of HRA Job Centers, SNAP Centers, and Medicaid Offices are open. Please only visit a Center if your needs cannot be met through ACCESS HRA or over the phone. Click here to learn more.

• During the COVID-19 public health crisis, New York City is taking steps to make sure every New Yorker has access to the food they need. Click here for more information.

• EBT cards will be mailed to all applicants that are approved for SNAP and Cash Assistance. If your EBT card has not yet arrived, you can go to the Brooklyn OTC site for your permanent card, or one of seven open center locations for a temporary card.

• NYC Family Justice Centers are available by phone to offer guidance on immediate safety planning, shelter assistance, legal consultations, counseling sessions, case management sessions, community resources, and more. Call an FJC now! Click here for more info.

• EBT Card: If your benefit card was lost, stolen, or has incorrect information, you can get a replacement. Go to www.connectebt.com or call (888) 328-6399. Cards will be mailed to the address on file. If you need a card right away, go to an Over-The-Counter (OTC) site with your valid photo ID for a same-day replacement card, click here.

• Be safe, skip the trip to the Office of Child Support Services (OCSS) Customer Service Walk-In Center. For child support assistance, you can email us at dcse.cseweb@dfa.state.ny.us or call the New York State Child Support Helpline at 888-208-4485. OCSS remains committed to replying to your inquiry as soon as possible. For other changes in child support services, go to nyc.gov/hra/ocss.

• Skip the Trip. Contact HASA ServiceLine (212) 971-0626 should you have any questions regarding your case.

• Stop the spread of Coronavirus! Learn more about what you can do.

• With the Fair Fares NYC MetroCard, you could receive a 50% discount on eligible subway and bus fares. Pay-per-ride, weekly-unlimited, and monthly-unlimited options are all available. You can now check your eligibility status on ACCESS HRA.

• You can get food and hot meals from NYC’s food pantries and community kitchens. Check the list of locations with days and hours of service, and find a location near you at maps.nyc.gov/foodhelp/. You do NOT need to receive SNAP in order to get food from these locations.

• Download the ACCESS HRA Mobile App Now!

• Now you can use your SNAP benefits at certain online retailers.

• Citi Bike Membership: SNAP and NYCHA recipients are eligible for discounted Citi Bike memberships, for just $5/month! Go to http://bit.ly/2V9ONBo to learn more.

• Know Your Rights: Do you receive housing assistance?

• What is the NYC Rent Freeze Program?