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May 1, 2020

COVID-19 Client Services & Resources

Sections
The Partnership’s COVID-19 Services
Important COVID-19 Information and Resources
Families
Single Adults
Benefits


The Partnership’s COVID-19 Client Services

The Partnership’s client services remain fully operational during the COVID-19 pandemic. To keep our clients safe, we are conducting all meetings and groups virtually and via phone.

For information on the following services or to speak with our program team, please call (212) 645–3444 or email info@pfth.org.

Housing and Eviction Prevention

  • Financial assistance for rental arrears
  • Housing counseling and landlord mediation
  • Legal referrals to our trusted community-based legal partners
  • Support with housing vouchers and connections to available, affordable apartments through our relationships with landlords across the city

Health and Mental Health Services

  • Individual counseling
  • Connections to therapeutic services for low-income New Yorkers
  • HIV support services
  • Referrals for primary care and long-term mental-health providers

Emergency Services

  • Benefits analysis to ensure income-related supports are maximized as well as related referrals
  • Shelter referrals
  • Emergency food via a partnership with FEMA and local soup kitchens/food pantries

Support Groups

  • HIV health education workshop
  • Financial education and tenants’ rights/responsibilities workshops
  • LGBTQIA+ support group
  • Parents support group
  • Mental health and grieving support groups

Important COVID-19 Information and Resources

Housing

Due to the COVID-19 crisis, note the following changes in NY’s housing systems and relevant contacts for further assistance and information:

Housing Court

Currently, all residential evictions are suspended. Video hearings are still being scheduled if both sides (landlord and tenant) agree. Housing Court will still accept applications for the following types of emergency cases: post-eviction relief, landlord lockouts, emergency apartment repairs, and serious repair orders. To start an emergency case, call or email the clerk in your county (see below). All documentation can now be submitted electronically or over the phone.

Housing Court OfficeEmergency phone number to start a caseEmail address used to join a virtual appearance
Bronx Civil and Housing(718) 618–2500civbxhs-skype-vc@nycourts.gov
Harlem Community Justice Center(646) 386–5409civnyc-skype-vc@nycourts.gov
Kings (Brooklyn) Civil and Housing(347) 404–9133civkin-skype-vc@nycourts.gov
New York (Manhattan) Civil and Housing(646) 386–5730civnyc-skype-vc@nycourts.gov
Queens Civil and Housing(718) 262–7300civqns-skype-vc@nycourts.gov
Richmond (Staten Island) Civil and Housing(646) 386–5409civric-skype-vc@nycourts.gov

Residential Evictions

Landlords cannot change your locks, shut off your utilities, or remove your belongings as long as the eviction moratorium persists. This constitutes an illegal eviction. Give The Partnership a call at (212) 645–3444 if you think you have experienced an illegal eviction.

City Marshals are also not allowed to execute a warrant of eviction. You can report an incorrect execution of eviction by calling (212) 825–5953. Click here for more information.

Mortgages

While there has been much debate over the type and duration of assistance for renters due to COVID-19, New York State has offered guidance for those with mortgages coping with the crisis. Click here for rules NYS has given mortgage servicers regarding borrowers impacted by the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Resources for NYCHA and Section 8 Residents

All in-person NYCHA hearings will be rescheduled. HPD Section 8 tenants up for termination will have their termination suspended until further notice. NYCHA Section 8 tenants up for termination will have their termination suspended until May 15, 2020.

Note: If you have experienced a loss of income during this time, report this loss to NYCHA through the self-service portal here or by calling (718) 707–7771 so that your rental portion can be reduced.

Non-emergency repairs (inspections and scheduled maintenance), as well as planned outages, have also been suspended. For emergency repairs, call (718) 707–7771. Additional information for NYCHA residents is available here.

Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exception (SCRIE) and Disability Rent Increase Exception (DRIE)

This program helps eligible senior citizens (aged 62 and over) and tenants with qualifying disabilities (aged 18 and over) stay in affordable housing by freezing their rent. Under this program, a property tax credit covers the difference between the actual rent amount and what you (the tenant) are responsible for paying at the frozen rate. The SCRIE and DRIE processing units are still working during the COVID-19 pandemic; however, processing time can last up to a few weeks. You can access answers to their most frequently asked questions online here.

Emergency Shelter

The NYC municipal shelter system access points have not changed and are listed below. In light of concerns about coronavirus outbreaks in shelters, the City is offering isolation rooms for those exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, as well as hotel rooms for medically vulnerable populations.

Municipal Shelter Intake Centers

If you are entering shelter housing, there are specific intake centers to use, based on your circumstance. See below for the option that best suits your situation.


Families

Families with Children (under 18)

Prevention Assistance and Temporary Housing
Office (PATH) 151 E. 151st St. (corner of Walton), Bronx
Tel: (844) 347–7284
Subway: 2, 4, 5 to 149th St. Open 24 hours, 7 days a week

Adult Families

30th Street Men’s Shelter/ Bellevue Assessment Center
400 E. 30th St. (at 1st Ave.), Manhattan M23 Select Bus Service to 23rd and 1st. Services include evaluation, program enrollment, and referrals. Open 24 hours, 7 days a week


Single Adults

Adult Women

HELP Women’s Shelter
116 Williams Ave. (between Liberty & Glenmore Aves.), Brooklyn Subway: C to Liberty Ave. Open 24hrs. Women only, no children

Franklin Women’s Shelter
1122 Franklin Ave. (E. 166th St.), Bronx Subway: 2, 4, 5 to 149th St., and then #55 bus to 166th St. & 3rd Ave. Open 24hrs. Women only, no children

Adult Men

30th Street Men’s Shelter/ Bellevue Assessment Center
400 E. 30th St. (at 1st Ave.), Manhattan M23 Select Bus Service to 23rd and 1st. Services include evaluation, program enrollment, and referrals. Open 24 hours, 7 days a week


Benefits

The City has moved its communications with the public to the phone and the internet. The most up-to-date information we have regarding how to access benefits is below.

Access to Benefits Helpline

The Access to Benefits (A2B) Helpline assists with employment and unemployment benefits, Medicaid/health law, SNAP, public assistance, disability, and other benefits. Call (888) 663–6880 Monday – Friday from 10 am to 3 pm.

Public Assistance In-Person Appointments

All in-person public assistance cases have been canceled. HRA recommends that the public use the ACCESS HRA website instead. There, you will be able to get help for many services normally accessed in person, including SNAP benefits, cash assistance, and case management.

Social Security Administration Offices

The Social Security Administration has closed its offices and is calling those with a hearing scheduled to discuss other options. You may also access critical services by clicking ssa.gov/coronavirus.

Medicaid and Health Insurance

  • Anyone without health insurance, including those who are undocumented, can enroll in Medicaid and other plans by calling (855) 355–5777 or visiting the New York State of Health website. Emergency Medicaid now covers all testing, evaluation, and treatment for COVID-19.
  • Additionally, all low-income New Yorkers, regardless of immigration status, can access free or low-cost health care at New York City Health + Hospitals locations. Anyone who is uninsured can enroll in the Health + Hospitals Options program at 844-NYC-4NYC.

Emergency Food Assistance

Click here for Food Bank for NYC’s interactive map for finding help with finding soup kitchens, food pantries, and more.

Crisis

Lifenet (800) 543–3638, 24 hrs.
Suicide prevention and crisis intervention hotline, mental health and substance abuse information

Safe Horizon (800) 621–4673, 24 hrs.
Domestic violence, rape, and sexual assault hotline

Substance Abuse

NCS’s Chance for Change Outpatient Substance Use Treatment
Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church 921 Madison Ave. (at 73rd St.) Monday–Friday: 9:00am–5:00pm call for information: (917) 677–0723

AA Intergroup
(212) 647–1680 Call 24 hours/day for information on AA meetings and available detox beds

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